This week at NKY government meetings, three Northern Kentucky cities are set to vote on property tax rates.
Keep reading to find out what happened in local government over the past week and what you need to know for this week.
What happened last week in NKY government?
Safety concerns spur Boone County discussion on e-bike, e-scooter regulations
Boone County officials are considering potential new regulations for e-bikes and e-scooters after residents raised safety concerns, including Larry Snyder, whose wife suffered serious leg injuries after being struck by a scooter rider on a multiuse path near England Idlewild Park. At a Sept. 24 Boone County Fiscal Court caucus meeting, Assistant County Attorney Bill Noble presented findings from a county team studying “micromobility devices,” including sheriff’s office data showing 19 documented vehicle-versus-scooter incidents since December 2024, more than half involving riders younger than 16. Boone County’s current ordinance generally prohibits motorized vehicles on sidewalks and multiuse paths, potentially forcing e-bike and scooter riders onto streets if strictly enforced. Officials discussed possible rules addressing speed, age, helmets, distracted riding, right-of-way and where the devices should be allowed. Public comments reflected both calls for stronger safety measures and concerns about preserving e-bikes and scooters as transportation options for young people. The fiscal court took no action, and discussions are expected to continue.
Read more about the discussion here.
Boone County judge/executive sends letter asking SD1 to explain sewer route through Pille property
Boone County Judge/Executive Gary Moore has asked Sanitation District 1 to provide residents with more information about why it selected its current route for the nearly $40 million Central Boone Conveyance Project, following weeks of protests over its impact on landowner and naturalist Gayle Pille’s property. The project, which will redirect wastewater from the Dry Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant to the Western Regional Water Reclamation Facility, requires seven easements across Pille’s 45-acre property, which she intends to eventually donate to the Boone Conservancy. After negotiations failed, SD1 used eminent domain and received a Boone Circuit Court ruling allowing the project to proceed. Pille’s supporters have repeatedly urged Boone County Fiscal Court members to press SD1 to reconsider the route. Moore said the fiscal court should not interfere with SD1’s engineering decisions but that residents deserve clear answers about why the route was selected. Commissioner Chet Hand separately asked SD1 Executive Director Adam Cheney to present the fiscal court with a report explaining the agency’s reasoning.
Read more about the letter here.
Traffic remains a concern in Eastside after road conversions
Covington’s Eastside + neighborhood association is asking city officials to address ongoing traffic safety concerns following the 2025 conversion of Scott and Greenup streets to two-way traffic. Residents said intersections such as Scott and Pleasant streets continue to experience crashes, speeding, visibility problems and near misses, prompting calls for measures such as a four-way stop. Kentucky State Police data analyzed by LINK nky shows crashes in the affected corridor have generally hovered around 100 annually since 2020, though less than a year of post-conversion data makes it difficult to determine the project’s effect on safety. Residents also raised concerns about drivers improperly using a residential cut-through near Prospect Avenue and 12th Street following changes to the Girl Scout Bridge. Eastside + Chair Melissa Kelley asked the city for increased police enforcement and additional traffic-calming measures throughout the neighborhood.
Read more about the traffic concerns here.
Schack’s Yaks kiosk production, bait distribution facility approved in Campbell County
Schack’s Yaks is moving forward with plans for a new Campbell County facility that will serve as a home base for its self-service kayak kiosk and live bait operations. The Campbell County Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved the company’s site development plan for 1031 Bud Pogue Way on Sept. 22. Plans for the roughly two-acre, industrially zoned property include a 30-by-60-foot building where the company will assemble kayak kiosks, along with parking and outdoor storage space before the kiosks are delivered to parks. Schack’s Yaks currently operates kiosks at 17 parks across Kentucky and Ohio and distributes live bait to about 200 stores, with additional state park locations planned for next season. The Campbell County site will not offer kayak rentals or retail sales and is expected to have about two employees working there at a time.
Read more about the facility here.
Covington residents ask for greater clarity on new Axon contract, guardrails
Covington residents are asking city officials for greater transparency about the city’s revised contract with Axon Enterprises after commissioners approved the agreement earlier this month following public concerns about police technology. Changes to the original proposal included removing license plate reader-equipped dash cameras, prohibiting pole-mounted automatic license plate readers on city property, changing the contract from a 10-year commitment to a one-year agreement with annual renewal options, requiring regular reports on technology use, restricting automatic software upgrades and AI data sharing, and creating a public drone transparency portal. At this week’s commission meeting, residents questioned when the revised contract would be publicly posted and sought more information about its cost, discounts and termination provisions. City Manager Sharmili Reddy said residents could obtain the contract through an open records request, while Commissioner Tim Downing said the level of public interest warranted making it readily available.
Read more about the residents’ questions here.
Fort Thomas forensic audit finds more than $847K in cash discrepancies
A draft forensic audit of Fort Thomas’ finances found more than $847,000 in general fund accounting discrepancies dating to 2017, including about $524,000 beyond the $322,000 the city previously wrote off. The audit, conducted by Dean Dorton Allen Ford, PLLC, attributed the discrepancies to failures in accounting controls and found no evidence that money was missing, misappropriated or used fraudulently. City officials acknowledged the seriousness of the findings, while residents questioned why the problems were not disclosed sooner and what steps would prevent them from recurring. Recommendations include consolidating cash accounts, completing monthly account reconciliations under stricter deadlines, properly recording payroll and seeking additional oversight when necessary. The city also plans to begin searching for a new finance director, and Dean Dorton is expected to present the audit and recommendations at a public hearing in October.
Read more about the forensic audit here.
Fort Thomas repeals past bike ordinance, enacts new one
Fort Thomas has adopted new rules governing e-bikes, e-scooters and other electric mobility devices, replacing its previous bicycle ordinance with broader regulations covering where devices can be ridden, equipment requirements and penalties. Under the ordinance, e-bikes generally must be ridden on roadways rather than sidewalks, with exceptions in certain residential areas, while electric scooters and other electric mobility devices remain permitted on sidewalks. Riders must walk their devices in central business districts, and motorized devices are prohibited on playgrounds. The ordinance also establishes lighting and reflector requirements for bikes used at night. Violations begin with a warning, followed by a $50 fine for a second offense and $100 fines for subsequent offenses.
Read more about the updates laws here.
What’s happening this week in NKY government?
Newport Board of Commission special meeting and caucus meeting: Monday, Sept, 28
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at 998 Monmouth St.
What you need to know: The board will discuss the approval of its 2026-2027 tax rates at the special meeting. The city will then share park improvement updates at the caucus meeting.
Read more about the tax rate discussion here.
The agenda can be found here.
Cold Spring City Council meeting: Monday, Sept. 28
The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. at 5694 East Alexandria Pike.
What you need to know: The city will discuss approval of its 2026-2027 tax rate.
The agenda can be found here.
Crescent Springs City Council meeting: Monday, Sept. 28
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 739 Buttermilk Pike.
What you need to know: The city will discuss approval of its 2026-2027 tax rate.
The agenda can be found here.
Kenton County Planning and Development meeting: Thursday, Oct. 1
The meeting starts at 6:15 p.m. at 1840 Simon Kenton Way, Covington.
The agenda can be found here.
Alexandria City Council meeting: Thursday, Oct. 1
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 8236 West Main St.
The agenda can be found here.
