This week, in NKY government meetings, Fort Thomas will consider a bid for tennis courts; while Campbell County Schools will discuss its district facilities plan.
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 meetings?
Elsmere City Council votes to remove absent member Serena Owen
At their March 11 meeting, the Elsmere City Council voted unanimously to begin the process of removing councilmember Serena Owen from her position due to unlawful neglect of duties. The motion, made by councilmember Gloria Grubbs, cited concerns about Owen’s repeated absences from meetings and her waiver of council pay, which had led to tensions with residents, including Eric Bunzow. Owen had requested to attend meetings virtually due to safety concerns regarding Bunzow carrying an unloaded gun, but this request was denied. Despite offering safety measures, Owen has not attended meetings since being elected for the 2025-2026 term. The removal process will include a 30-day notice and a public hearing option, with further discussion set for the April caucus meeting.
Read more about the removal here.
Florence approves zone change for 7 Brew Coffee, life skills facility, EV chargers
The Florence City Council approved zone changes for a 7 Brew Coffee shop, an autism support facility and a Tesla charging station expansion. The 7 Brew Coffee project will replace two former Rawlings Company buildings on US 42, with a zoning change from residential and office to commercial, despite concerns about traffic. Connections: Skills for Life, a nonprofit supporting young people with autism, received approval to modify its building use to include life skills training, along with a landscaping plan to meet compliance. Tesla’s charging station at Meijer on Houston Road will expand with additional spaces, with the developer agreeing to add a tree for screening.
Read more about those projects here.
Florence residents push for traffic solutions amid growing safety concerns on Orleans Boulevard
Residents of Florence’s Orleans neighborhood are raising safety concerns over increasing traffic and speeding on Orleans Boulevard, particularly near Longbranch Road, which feeds into the area. At a March 11 meeting, residents urged the Boone County Fiscal Court to address these issues, suggesting a direct connection between Longbranch Road and US-42 to divert traffic away from the neighborhood. The area’s proximity to three public schools and its jurisdictional overlap between Florence, Boone County and Union complicates the situation. Boone County Judge/Executive Gary Moore acknowledged the concerns, noting that the county is updating its transportation plan and encouraging residents to attend a public planning meeting on April 22 to voice their input.
Read more about the safety concerns here.
Dinsmore Homestead to break ground on new Heritage Center in Boone County
The Dinsmore Homestead Museum in Boone County has set an April 2 groundbreaking date for a new 6,000-square-foot heritage center, funded by a $1.5 million capital campaign. The center will expand the museum’s capacity to host over 5,000 students annually and provide event space for weddings and community gatherings. Located on Burlington Pike, the Dinsmore Homestead preserves the history of the namesake family and was recently recognized by the National Park Service’s Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.
Read more about the new Heritage Center here.
Before cutting staff, Newport Schools seeks updated budget review
Newport school officials are seeking clarity on the district’s financial standing before making decisions on potential staff cuts amid a projected $3.9 million deficit for the 2026 school year. During a March 12 work session, the Newport Board of Education discussed district staffing but emphasized the need for an updated budget before considering eliminations. Former finance director Tete Turner was contracted to provide financial services, and a tentative budget is expected in May.
Read more about Newport Schools here.
Walton to begin collecting 2% payroll tax in 2026
Starting Jan. 1, 2026, Walton workers will pay a new 2% payroll tax to help fund improvements to the city’s nearly full sewer system. The Walton City Council voted 5-1 to collaborate with Boone County for the tax collection, with the county handling the process for a fee, including a $70,000 setup cost and a 10% collection fee. The tax is expected to raise $2.8 million for sewer upgrades, addressing the system’s 80% capacity and lifting a moratorium on new connections. The $10.1 million project, which will take about three years, also includes water system upgrades. Walton’s leaders are working with local businesses, schools, and nonprofits to foster community engagement and support for the tax.
Read more about the payroll tax here.
Covington’s financial audit suggests deficit is closing
Barnes Dennig, an accounting firm contracted by Covington, issued a clean audit opinion on the city’s financials for the second consecutive year, a milestone not seen since 1995. The audit found no fraud or illegal activity but flagged two minor deficiencies: an improperly recorded asset disposal and a record-keeping error in the Section 8 program. Covington’s general fund deficit, which worsened due to declining payroll tax revenue during the pandemic, is gradually closing, with expenditures exceeding revenues by a reduced amount in fiscal year 2024. Despite increased government spending, mainly for police and fire services, payroll and property tax revenues have risen, signaling positive financial trends.
Read more about Covington’s audit here.
Covington begins work on Scott and Greenup conversion
Covington has started converting Scott and Greenup Streets from one-way to two-way traffic between 12th and 20th Streets, with the KY-17 designation extending west to Madison Avenue, transferring road ownership to the state. The $3.36 million state-funded project includes resurfacing, ADA compliance upgrades, and changes to signage and traffic signals. City officials view the project as a way to improve safety, calm traffic, and support economic growth, addressing long-standing concerns about speeding in residential areas. The project is expected to be completed this spring.
Read more about the street conversions here.
Covington advocates for local control over short-term rentals
Covington Mayor Ron Washington and the city have voiced opposition to Kentucky Senate Bill 110, which seeks to limit local governments’ ability to regulate short-term rentals. The bill, currently in committee, would prevent cities from imposing conditional use permits or density-based restrictions on short-term rental properties. Covington has implemented its own regulations since 2021, including a moratorium on new short-term rental licenses and caps on rental numbers in certain neighborhoods to protect the character of residential areas. Mayor Washington emphasized the importance of local control over such issues, a stance shared by other Northern Kentucky cities like Newport and Independence.
Read more about Senate Bill 10 here.
Covington police, fire captain honored for bravery in Brent Spence rescue
The Covington City Commission honored Covington police officers Specialists Josh Denny and Chris Haubner, along with Fire Captain Kyle Simpson, for their bravery in rescuing a home invasion suspect, Joshua Baker, in January. After fleeing from police during a pursuit on the Brent Spence Bridge, Baker jumped from the bridge and got stuck on metal beams, where he clung for hours in freezing temperatures. Despite the danger and the possibility that Baker was still armed, the three officers volunteered to rescue him, navigating the bridge’s dark, cold framework for 45 minutes to secure him. Their efforts resulted in saving the suspect and bringing him to justice for multiple charges, including fleeing police and carjacking.
Read more about the honorees here.
Mayor talks affordable housing plan with Covington businesses
Covington Mayor Ron Washington shared the city’s plan to address the affordable housing crisis during a presentation to the Latonia Business Association. Washington highlighted the shortage of housing, particularly for workforce-level incomes, and the challenges caused by abandoned properties, which incur maintenance costs and do not generate tax revenue. He emphasized the need to expand housing stock to accommodate working professionals and help Covington grow economically. The city’s strategy includes forming a housing advisory committee, creating a housing development board, and conducting an inventory of available lots for development. Additionally, Washington outlined plans to revitalize neighborhoods, reduce maintenance costs for abandoned properties, and find ways to legally take over these properties to improve housing availability.
Read more about the affordable housing conversation here.
What’s happening this week in NKY government meetings?
Fort Thomas council will consider a tennis court bids
Fort Thomas City Council: Monday, March 17
The meeting starts at7 p.m. at 130 N Ft Thomas Ave.
What you need to know: The Fort Thomas City Council will discuss submitting a bid for tennis courts.
The agenda can be found here.
Campbell County Schools to review facilities plan draft
Campbell County Board of Education: Monday, March 17
The meeting starts at6 p.m. at 51 Orchard Ln. in Alexandria.
What you need to know: The Campbell County Board of Education will discuss its district facilities plan draft. A facilities plan is a comprehensive document that outlines the state of a district’s infrastructure, its capacity, and predicts trends to determine if future student populations warrant expanding facilities.
The agenda can be found here.
Covington Board of Commissioners caucus meeting: Tuesday, March 18
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 20 W Pike St.
The agenda can be found here.
Florence City Council caucus meeting: Tuesday, March 18
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 8100 Ewing Blvd.
The agenda can be found here when it is published.
Highland Heights City Council: Tuesday, March 18
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 176 Johns Hill Road.
Erlanger City Council caucus meeting: Tuesday, March 18
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 505 Commonwealth Ave.
The agenda can be found here.
Campbell County Fiscal Court: Wednesday, March 19
The meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. at 1098 Monmouth St. in Newport.
The agenda can be found here when it is published.
Fort Wright City Council caucus meeting: Wednesday, March 19
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 409 Kyles Lane.
The agenda can be found here when it is published.
Southgate City Council: Wednesday, March 19
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at 122 Electric Ave.
Villa Hills City Council: Wednesday, March 19
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at 719 Rogers Road.
Alexandria City Council: Thursday, March 20
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 8236 West Main St.
The agenda can be found here when it is published.
