This week, in NKY local government meetings, Fort Mitchell will discuss dissolving the Economic Development Authority, and Covington will look at industrial revenue bonds for the Banklick Street apartment project.
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?
Boone County debates scrapping decades-old mandatory dog licensing fee
The Boone County Fiscal Court recently debated the future of a mandatory dog licensing fee established in 1995, with some officials questioning its relevance due to low compliance—currently under 15%. While the ordinance requires dog owners to pay a fee and register their pets with animal control, Commissioner Chet Hand advocated for its repeal, arguing the benefits could be maintained through a voluntary program. Animal Control Director Colleen Bray noted the fee helps reunite lost pets, ensures rabies vaccinations, and aligns with other Northern Kentucky counties, though it generates only around $28,000 annually. Ultimately, county staff will draft an amended ordinance to make licensing voluntary, pending court review.
Read more about the dog licensing here.
Newport commissioner calls on residents to help fund tree planting after grant loss
After Newport lost a $1 million grant intended for planting 1,000 trees in the city’s west end, commissioner Ken Rechtin is calling on residents to help fund the effort through local donations. At an April 7 meeting, Rechtin shared that a friend had already contributed $200 and encouraged others to “think globally and act locally” by taking ownership of the tree program.
Read more about the tree planting here.
Retired Kenton County extension agent honored with inaugural Ralph Bailey Award
Dan Allen, a retired Kenton County Cooperative Extension agent, was honored as the first recipient of the Ralph Bailey Award, which recognizes outstanding public servants for their leadership, integrity, and lasting impact in Kenton County. Presented by the Fiscal Court on April 9, the award commemorates Ralph Bailey, a longtime county administrator who passed away in 2024. Allen, originally from West Virginia and a graduate of WVU’s College of Agriculture and Forestry, served for over two decades with the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension, leading agricultural education and community development efforts. Bailey’s family attended the ceremony, underscoring the legacy of service the award aims to honor.
Read more about the award here.
Newport approves key bond for $90M housing project on old steel mill site
A $90 million townhome-style rental development planned by PLK Communities on Newport’s long-vacant “old steel mill site” at 910 Lowell Street has moved closer to reality after the Newport Commission approved an Industrial Revenue Bond (IRB) 4-1. The 17-acre site will include 195 apartments, a commercial recreation facility, and funding for local improvements, including tree planting and pedestrian safety initiatives. The project includes a $5.1 million site remediation plan and is contingent on approval from the Newport Board of Education, whose share of the PILOT would jump from $21,000 to $240,000 annually. Construction could begin this fall if approved.
Read more about the project here.
Covington votes to draft proposal for outdoor drinking area
The Covington City Commission unanimously voted to have city staff draft a proposal for a common consumption area (CCA), which would allow people to legally drink alcoholic beverages outdoors within a designated zone. Proposed by Commissioner Tim Acri, the CCA—similar to Cincinnati’s DORA zones—would require specific container rules and be limited to Covington’s entertainment destination centers, primarily north of 12th Street. The next steps include selecting a location, gaining support from local businesses and residents, coordinating with law enforcement, and applying for approval from the Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The proposal is expected to return for further commission discussion in the coming weeks.
Read more about the proposal here.
Walton to host grand opening for new Owens Lake Park
Walton’s long-awaited Owens Lake Park is set to open on April 26 with a grand opening celebration at noon, offering 54 acres of walking trails, green space, a pavilion, a 14-acre stocked fishing lake, and kayak rentals. The park is named after the late Dr. O’Dell Owens, who donated the land to the city in 2020 after meeting former Mayor Gabe Brown during a leadership event. Originally used as a water reservoir and once considered for development, the land was gifted by Dr. Owens free of charge. Earlier plans to include a public safety training facility were scrapped in 2023 due to resident concerns over cost and noise.
Read more about the park opening here.
Elsmere sets public hearing date for ousted council member
The Elsmere City Council has scheduled a public hearing for Councilmember Serena Owen on May 27 at 6:30 p.m., following a unanimous vote at the April 8 meeting, though the date remains tentative due to one councilmember’s absence. The hearing stems from Owen’s removal from duties in March over her prolonged absence from meetings, which she attributes to safety concerns related to a resident, Eric Bunzow, who openly carries an unloaded gun during sessions. Despite Owen’s request for virtual attendance under ADA accommodations, the council denied it in January 2025. The city has offered safety measures, including a bulletproof vest and a $17,000 plexiglass barrier, but Owen has not attended any meetings since her election for the 2025-2026 term.
Read more about the public hearing here.
Covington amends proposed golf cart, slow vehicle ordinance
The Covington City Commission recently amended a proposed ordinance aimed at expanding where city residents can drive golf carts and other low-speed vehicles, with a final vote scheduled for April 22. The original proposal, introduced by Commissioner Tim Acri, sought to allow these vehicles on all city-owned roads, but the amended version includes new regulations such as requiring seat belts for golf carts, defining “street-legal special purpose vehicles,” and limiting their use to streets with speed limits of 20 mph or lower. The amendments also prohibit these vehicles from crossing roads with speed limits above 35 mph unless there is an electronic traffic signal. While the ordinance aims to improve mobility for residents without cars, some citizens, like Aaron Wolpert, expressed concerns about the city’s lack of safe infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians, urging the commission to focus on improving safety for all street users.
Read more about the golf cart proposal here.
County OKs zoning change for old Covington daycare
The Kenton County Planning Commission approved a zoning change for a former daycare center on Benton Road in Covington to help facilitate its sale after the building sat vacant for a year. Formerly operated by Romper Room Child Care, the site struggled to attract buyers due to limited permitted uses under its suburban residential zoning. Property owner Terri Willis requested a change to semi-urban residential zoning, allowing more business types while promising not to sell to potentially disruptive operations like scrap yards, pawn shops, or treatment centers. Despite some resident concerns, the commission approved the request 11–2, with the condition that Willis adhere to her submitted development plan.
Read more about the zone change here.
Independence regulates shipping container storage
The Independence City Council recently passed an ordinance that defines shipping containers and regulates their storage in residential and mixed-use zones. The ordinance, recommended by the Kenton County Planning Commission, allows shipping containers to be stored on properties for up to 30 days during moving in or out, provided they are placed at least five feet away from adjoining property lines. The law also introduces setback variations for driveways, permitting them to encroach upon a property’s setback as long as they remain at least two feet from adjacent properties. The council unanimously approved the ordinance with minimal discussion.
Read more about the shipping container storage here.
Independence approves development plan for 38 townhomes
The Independence City Council approved a final development plan for a cluster of 38 townhomes on Bristow Road, south of Beechgrove Elementary, following the approval of a grading plan in February. The development, led by Legacy Management, will feature private roads that the city will not maintain. While the council discussed minor details like road turnarounds, there was little debate, and the plan received unanimous approval. The timeline and pricing for the townhomes are not yet known, as the project is still in its early stages.
Read more about the development here.
Independence considers establishing board of adjustment
The Independence City Council is considering creating its own independent board of adjustment, proposed by council member Greg Steffen, to replace the city’s participation in the joint county board. The goal is to give Independence residents more direct control over zoning variance decisions, rather than relying on a regional body where only one member represents the city. While some council members supported the idea, concerns were raised about costs, finding willing and reliable appointees, maintaining meeting quorums, and the potential loss of administrative support currently provided by Kenton County. Due to these concerns, the council decided to modify the ordinance to require monthly meetings instead of bi-monthly ones and invited the county planning director to next month’s meeting for further input before making a final decision.
Read more about the consideration here.
Newport deems medical cannabis operations not feasible in city
After further investigation, Newport city officials determined that allowing medical cannabis operations in the city is unfeasible under the state’s current regulations. The city’s zoning tool revealed that most areas were too close to schools or daycares, violating the state’s 1,000-foot rule for dispensaries, cultivators, and testing sites. The only potential location left was Newport on the Levee, but the property management explicitly prohibits dispensaries. As a result, the city concluded there are no viable locations for cannabis operations at this time. However, officials noted they would reconsider the issue if the rules or available sites change in the future.
Read more about the operations here.
Southgate honors employees with more than a decade of service
During its April council meeting, the city of Southgate honored eight long-serving staff members for over a decade of dedicated service. Mayor Jim Hamberg presented awards and praised their contributions, including Public Works Foreman Arvil Bowman (24 years), laborers Jeff Stolz (20 years) and Richmond Stortz (13 years), for maintaining the city’s infrastructure. Police Chief John Christmann, along with Sergeants Dan Johns and Ron Gross, were commended for helping make Southgate the second safest city in Kentucky. Administrative staff Brandi Barton (11 years) and retiring Code Enforcement Officer John Lauber (15 years) were also recognized. Hamberg expressed deep gratitude for their hard work and impact on the community.
Read more about the honoree here.
What’s happening this week in NKY government?
Fort Mitchell City Council: Monday, April 14
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at 2355 Dixie Highway
What you need to know: The council will discuss dissolving the Economic Development Authority. It was created for the Tax Increment Financing district in conjunction with the Kentucky Gateway Project.
Read more about the dissolution discussion here.
Kenton County School Board: Monday, April 14
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 1045 Eaton Drive
The meeting agenda can be found here.
Park Hills City Council: Monday, April 14
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 1106 Amsterdam Road
The agenda can be found here.
Florence City Council: Tuesday, April 15
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 8100 Ewing Blvd.
The agenda can be found here when it is published.
Covington Board of Commissioners Caucus meeting: Tuesday, April 15
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 20 West Pike Street
What you need to know: The board of commissioners will hear a presentation on the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport update from CVG President of Public Affairs Seth Cutter.
They will also discuss authorizing industrial revenue bonds to Orleans Development, LLC, for the 1564 Banklick St. project. At its meeting on April 8, the Kenton County Fiscal Court approved an agreement for payments in lieu of taxes, also known as PILOT Payments.
Read more about the 39-unit apartment project here.
The meeting agenda can be found here.
Highland Heights City Council: Tuesday, April 15
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 176 Johns Hill Road
Erlanger City Council caucus meeting: Tuesday, April 15
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 505 Commonwealth Ave
The agenda can be found here.
Campbell County Fiscal Court: Wednesday, April 16
The meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. at 1098 Monmouth St.
The meeting agenda can be found here when it is published.
Newport Board of Education work session: Wednesday, April 16
The meeting starts at 6: 30 p.m. at 30 W. 8th St.
Fort Wright City Council caucus meeting: Wednesday, April 16
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 409 Kyles Lane
What you need to know: The city council plans to discuss the restriping and paving of Highland Avenue, Dixie Highway/Christ Hospital sidewalk grant, short-term property rental update, hotel registry ordinance, city website redesign proposal, and elected official’s compensation.
The agenda can be found here.
Southgate City Council: Wednesday, April 16
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at 122 Electric Avenue
Villa Hills City Council: Wednesday, April 16
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at 719 Rogers Road
Boone County Board of Education: Thursday, April 17
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 99 Center St.
The agenda can be found here when it is published.
Alexandria City Council: Thursday, April 17
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 8236 West Main St.
The agenda can be found here when it is published.
