With busy schedules, not everyone can make it to their local city council or fiscal court meeting. LINK nky has you covered.
Every Monday, we are recapping what happened in local government over the past week and what you need to know for this week to keep you informed.
What happened in NKY government last week?
Crescent Springs City Council: Monday, Sept. 23
Crescent Springs is waiting for grant funding to contribute to the renovation of Lou Hartfiel Memorial Park, which aims to be all-inclusive with wheelchair-accessible equipment and flooring. The project has been approved for the grant, but the city has not yet received the money and cannot move forward with renovations. The city must wait on the National Park Service, which has not yet given permission for the city to provide funding to be reimbursed.
Read more about the park renovation here.
Newport Commission: Monday, Sept. 23
Newport approved a 45-cent or 17% real property tax decrease from last year, with a rate of $2.15 per $1,000, down from $2.60 per $1,000. However, due to increased property valuations this year, the city is expected to bring in more money and taxpayers may still see a higher tax bill. The all-in rate, which includes the Newport school district and miscellaneous county taxes such as the library tax, is $13.67 per $1,000, down from $16.19 per $1,000. The Newport Board of Education set its tax rate in August to $7.68 per $1,000, down from $9.64 per $1,000.
Read more about the new tax rate here.
Newport police officer Chris Armstrong was recognized by the Newport City Commission for his 21 years of service.Bottom of Form Armstrong was on the fire investigation team and the major accident reconstruction unit.
Read more about Armstong’s award here.
The Newport Fire Department welcomed five new members, bringing them closer to being fully staffed.Bottom of Form Newport Fire Chief Frank T. Peluso said during a Sept. 23 Newport Commission meeting that the department needs four more members to be fully staffed and hopes three of those will be on the next agenda for approval.
Read more about the new hires here.
Kenton County Fiscal Court: Tuesday, Sept. 24
Kenton County is seeking a project manager to manage the architectural, engineering and construction teams for its new public park, which is being developed on the former site of the Fox Run Golf Course. The park will be connected to Lincoln Ridge Park and rebranded as one unified recreation area. The project manager will assist in developing the master plan for the park, managing the construction process, and coordinating the hiring process for the general contractor, design team, consultants and engineers. The master plan includes adding a lake, hillside amphitheater, zipline tower, ropes course, family shelter, community gardens and a mountain biking hub.
Read more about the park project here.
What’s happening this week in NKY government?
Boone County Fiscal Court: Tuesday, Oct. 1
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: 2950 Washington Street, Burlington, KY 41005.
What you need to know: This week’s agenda includes the first reading of an ordinance requesting to change the concept of a development plan for approximately 13.6 acres located at the terminus of Sherwood Lakes Drive.
At the last fiscal court meeting, Boone County approved a zone change to allow for the development of a new commercial complex, CirclePort, off Mineola Pike and Olympic Boulevard in Hebron. The zone change will allow Corporex, a Covington-based real estate developer, to revamp CirclePort, a 650-acre development that has been primarily business-park-focused since its opening in the 1980s. The approved zone change will allow the development of a 37,300-square-foot commercial complex featuring six buildings, including a gas station and convenience store, three commercial buildings, and two drive-thru restaurants.
Read more about that zone change here.
The agenda can be found here when it becomes available.
Covington Board of Commissioners (Caucus): Tuesday, Oct. 1
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: 20 W. Pike Street, Covington 41011
What you need to know: There will be seven board appointments. Among those boards are the board of architectural review and development, urban forestry board, code enforcement hearing board and Covington Life Science Partners, Inc.
The agenda can be found here.
Elsmere City Council (Caucus): Tuesday, Oct. 1
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: 3921 Dixie Highway, Elsmere, KY 41018
Erlanger City Council: Tuesday, Oct. 1
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: 505 Commonwealth Ave, Erlanger, KY 41018
What you need to know: At the last council meeting expenses related to a hillside beautification project in Erlanger, which cost three times the original estimate, were under scrutiny. The issue of removing trees from powerlines along the hillside at 3315 Alice St. was initially brought to the council in April this year by council member Diana Niceley. The final cost of the project ended up being a little over $15,000, which included grading the hillside and additional sidewalk maintenance. The city’s parks team was to install the fencing and work on the beautification of the area, but a contractor was hired to clean up the hillside for $6,000. The final costs put expenses out of the beautification budget at $10,104 and $5,500 came out of the city’s street maintenance line item.
Read more about the hillside beautification project here.
The agenda can be found here when it becomes available.
Highland Heights City Council, Tuesday, Oct. 1
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: 176 Johns Hill Road, Highland Heights, KY 41076
What you need to know: At the last council meeting Highland Heights approved a 4% tax rate increase for the upcoming fiscal year, which will be reflected in the next tax bill coming this fall. The new tax rate is intended to maintain the quality of the city’s services and keep up with recent inflation. Mayor Greg Meyers stated that the tax rate is necessary to maintain the city’s services and keep up with inflation.
Read more about the tax rate here.
Campbell County Fiscal Court, Wednesday, Oct. 2
Time: 9 a.m.
Location: 8352 E Main St Alexandria, KY 41001
The agenda can be found here when it becomes available.
Fort Wright City Council, Wednesday, Oct. 2
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: 409 Kyles Lane Fort Wright, KY 41011
The agenda can be found here when it becomes available.
Southgate City Council, Wednesday, Oct. 2
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: 122 Electric Ave. in Southgate
What you need to know: At the last council meeting, residents of Woodland Hills Condominiums spoke about being impacted by hillside slippage caused by nearby excavation and construction work, leading to a class action lawsuit against Sanitary District 1 (SD1). The city of Southgate expressed concern but cannot be directly involved due to the issue’s private property status. The homeowner’s association and SD1 are working on a hillside stabilization process while the city is monitoring the situation and providing support where possible.
Read more about the hillside slippage here.
Kenton County Planning Commission, Thursday, Oct.3
Time: 6:15 p.m.
Location: 1840 Simon Kenton Way, Covington, KY 41012
What you need to know: A proposed map amendment is being considered to change an area of approximately 27 acres in unincorporated Kenton County from A-1 (Agricultural One) Zone to R-1E (Residential One-E) Zone. The applicant is proposing to subdivide the property into single-family lots with a minimum lot area of 7,500 square feet. The issue was tabled at the July 10, 2024, meeting.
Click here to view the agenda.
Alexandria City Council, Thursday Oct. 3
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: 8236 West Main St. Alexandria, KY 41001
The agenda can be found here when it becomes available.
