Last week in NKY local government, Covington set up an affordable housing committee, Newport Schools’ bade farewall to its superintendent and Sen. Rand Paul heard concerns from local leaders.
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 local government?
Boone County moves closer to possible truck parking zone changes
Date: Tuesday, May 13
Key takeaways: The Boone County Fiscal Court continued its discussion on possible zoning changes for commercial truck parking, an issue that first arose in the fiscal court in April. At least two county commissioners are in favor of adding a new category establishing areas for truck parking and staging. No official action was taken at the meeting. Read more.
Opposition to Kenton County’s Site Readiness Initiative continues
Date: Tuesday, May 13
Key takeaways: Opposition to the county’s Site Readiness Initiative, a land use inventory for potential industrial development in the south end of the county, continued at the meeting of the Kenton County Fiscal Court this week. Several residents came out to speak against the initiative. Read more.
The Fiscal Court also performed a first reading of its proposed budget for the next fiscal year. Read more.
Covington establishes affordable housing committee, chooses new IRS developer
Date: Tuesday, May 13
Key takeaways: The mayor gave a presentation on the state of affordable housing in the city, and the city commission voted to establish a committee to strategize on how to best address the issue in Covington. Read more.
A new developer was chosen for the former IRS site, or, as the city calls it, the Central Riverfront Development site: Cincinnati-based Sanders Development Group. Read more.
The commission also passed a reform of its open records law, adding a Kentucky residency requirement for requesters. Read more.
Campbell County approves zoning for possible small business
Date: Tuesday, May 13
Key takeaways: Campbell County Planning & Zoning unanimously approved a zoning change for a land parcel in Alexandria where a future small business could go. A specific business has not yet been identified for the site, but the current owner believes a future business could help build community pride. Read more.
Walton tables measure to stop public works employees from taking home city vehicles
Date: Tuesday, May 13
Key takeaways: The second reading of a city ordinance that would prevent Walton Public Works employees from taking home city-owned vehicles was tabled following opposition from city staff. Read more.
Newport Schools slashes admin positions, separates from superintendent
Dates: Wednesday, May 14 and Thursday, May 15
Key takeaways: Ongoing financial troubles with the district prompted the Newport Independent Public Schools Board of Education to slash seven administrative positions and curtail spending on several programs only a few weeks after teacher positions were cut. Read more.
A day later, after over two hours of deliberation in closed session, the board and Superintendent Tony Watts agreed to separate at the end of the school year. Read more.
Alexandria gets updates on new city hall construction
Date: Thursday, May 15
Key takeaways: The Alexandria City Council got updates on ongoing construction of the new city council building, as well as the financing for the building. Read more.
Sen. Rand Paul hosts community forum
Date: Friday, May 16
Key takeaways: Sen. Rand Paul hosted a community forum for local mayors and city professionals at Covington City Hall Friday morning. Topics of discussion included housing, trade and the national debt, among other topics. Read more.
What’s happening this week in local government?
Fort Mitchell City Council
Date, time & location: Monday, May 19 at 5:30 p.m. at the Fort Mitchell City Building on Dixie Highway
On the agenda: The only item on the agenda for this meeting is the city budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins July 1. Note that this meeting will not be recorded on public access broadcasting. Read full agenda.
Edgewood City Council
Date, time & location: Monday, May 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the Edgewood City Building on Dudley Road.
On the agenda: The council will discuss a city mental health program, in addition to its typical updates from the mayor and city departments. Read full agenda.
Newport Board of Commissioners
Date, time & location: Monday, May 19 at 5:30 p.m. at the Newport City Building on Monmouth Street.
On the agenda: The board will got into closed session at 5:30 p.m., about an hour before their typical start time, but they do not plan to take action afterwards. During the normal meeting, the city finance director will share the results of the city audit from fiscal year 2024. Additionally, the commission will perform a first reading of an ordinance revoking the city’s bar ID requirements. Read full agenda here.
Union City Commission
Date, time & location: Monday, May 19 at 6 p.m. at the Union City Building on Bristow Drive
On the agenda: The city will hear updates on several big projects around the city, including a roundabout project and the Union Town Square Project. It will also vote to pass its budget for the new fiscal year, which begins July 1. Full agenda here.
Fort Thomas City Council
Date, time & location: Monday, May 19 at 7 p.m. in the Fort Thomas City Council chambers on North Fort Thomas Avenue.
On the agenda: The city will perform a first reading of its budget for the next fiscal year and hear a presentation from the Fort Thomas Business Council. Read full agenda here.
Boone County Fiscal Court
Date, time & location: Tuesday, May 20 at 5:30 p.m. at the Boone County Admin Building on Washington Street.
On the agenda: The Fiscal Court will hold public hearings for the upcoming fiscal year’s budget and will cast a vote to update an economic development incentive first passed in 2022. Full agenda here.
Covington Board of Commissioners
Date, time & location: Tuesday, May 20 at 6 p.m. at Covington City Hall on Pike Street
On the agenda: This caucus meeting will hear discussions of lease extensions for a portion of land near the Northern Kentucky Convention Center as well updates to the city’s fire policies. Full agenda here.
Florence City Council
Date, time & location: Tuesday, May 20 at 6 p.m. at the Florence Government Center on Ewing Boulevard
On the agenda: The agenda for this meeting will be posted here once it’s finalized.
Erlanger City Council
Date, time & location: Tuesday, May 20 at 7 p.m. at the Erlanger City Building on Commonwealth Avenue
On the agenda: The city will discuss next year’s wage scale for city staff, and the mayor will discuss the city’s road fund. Full agenda here.
Highland Heights City Council
Date, time & location: Tuesday, May 20 at 7 p.m. at the Highland Heights City Building on Johns Hill Road
On the agenda: Highland Heights will also perform a first reading of its budget for next fiscal year while also considering a zoning change for some property on Alexandria Pike. Full agenda here.
Campbell County Fiscal Court
Date, time & location: Wednesday, May 21 at 5:30 p.m. at the Campbell County Administration Center on Monmouth Street
On the agenda: The agenda for this meeting will be available here once it’s finalized.
Fort Wright City Council
Date, time & location: Wednesday, May 21 at 6 p.m. at the Fort Wright City Building on Kyles Lane
On the agenda: The agenda for this meeting will be available here once it’s finalized.
Villa Hills City Council
Date, time & location: Wednesday, May 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the Villa Hills City Building on Rogers Road.
On the agenda: The agenda for this meeting will be available on the city website’s calendar here once it’s finalized.
Ludlow City Council
Date, time & location: Thursday, May 22 at 7 p.m. at the Ludlow City Building on Elm Street.
On the agenda: The agenda for this meeting will be available here once it’s finalized.