This week in NKY government meetings, Erlanger will discuss bids for phase one of Eons Adventure Park.
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?
Kenton County sets 35 mph speed limits on Hempfling, Pruett roads
Kenton County has approved an ordinance setting 35 mph speed limits on Hempfling Road and Pruett Road in the southern part of the county, following a traffic analysis by the county’s engineering services department. Previously, Pruett Road had defaulted to a 55 mph limit under state law, while Hempfling Road was set at 45 mph. The analysis, which considered traffic flow and sight distances, determined that 35 mph was the safest speed for both rural routes. This move is part of a broader effort to standardize speed limits across unincorporated areas of Kenton County, with officials noting that these roads had been flagged in prior community reviews for safety concerns.
Read more about the new speed limits here.
Read Ready Newport targets stronger start for city’s youngest learners
Newport has launched the Read Ready Newport initiative in partnership with Newport Independent Schools and EducateNKY to address low kindergarten readiness rates, with only 34% of local children prepared to start school. The program, also in Covington, Ludlow, and Dayton, targets children from prenatal care through age 5 by strengthening family bonds, providing learning opportunities for both children and adults, and fostering community partnerships. Backed by a planning grant from EducateNKY, the initiative aims to increase kindergarten readiness by 5% by 2026, engage 50 new families in early learning activities, train 20 parent leaders, and expand partnerships with childcare providers.
Read more about the Read Ready initiative here.
Covington tables drinking area vote again
A vote on creating a public drinking zone in Covington, modeled after Cincinnati’s DORA, was postponed again after commissioner Tim Acri, who introduced the proposal in April, moved to remove it from the agenda due to community concerns. The proposed ordinance would have allowed alcohol consumption within a designated area along Madison Avenue between 4th and 9th streets, but pushback from residents and business owners—particularly regarding safety, communication, and the area’s size—prompted the delay. Acri said another public meeting will be scheduled to address questions and recommendations, though no timeline was given.
Read more about the public drinking zone here.
Florence discusses plans to transform five East Side properties
Florence is moving forward with plans to revitalize its East Side, with City Administrator Joshua Hunt presenting draft proposals for improvements to five city-owned properties during the Aug. 26 council meeting. The sites include the Florence Nursery property, two parcels on U.S. 42, the Main Street property, and the historic First Baptist African American Church. Hunt highlighted the Main Street property—once a 1970s-era strip mall now demolished—as a potential hub for a market-style space where vendors could sell produce, crafts, and host community programming, similar to Cincinnati’s Findlay Market. The city has partnered with KZF Design on the draft plans, with more details expected during next year’s budget discussions.
Read more about the properties here.
Florence eyes new mural on Stringtown Bar & Grill
Florence is considering adding new public art with a proposed mural by artist Christian Dallas on the side of Stringtown Bar & Grill at 255 Main Street. Presented to city council by City Administrator Joshua Hunt on Aug. 26, the mural would showcase key aspects of Florence’s history through symbolic images, including a stagecoach referencing the city’s 19th-century role as a travel stop, a skunk nodding to its original name “Polecat,” and depictions of John Uri Lloyd, a local pharmacist and novelist, along with mushrooms and flowers tied to his scientific work. Dallas, whose murals also appear in Newport, Lawrenceburg, and at CVG Airport, designed the piece with historical “Easter eggs” for the community to discover.
Read more about the new mural here.
Erlanger moving forward with motion to lower property tax rates
Erlanger is set to lower its property tax rates for the eleventh consecutive year, with the city council advancing a first reading to reduce rates to $0.244 per $100 of valuation for real property and $0.178 for tangible property. The proposal, lower than the current rates, would also allocate 12% of real estate tax revenue to the city’s Park Improvement Fund to maintain and upgrade local parks. Despite the rate cuts, rising property values are expected to boost overall revenues, with projections exceeding budget estimates by more than $277,000. If approved in a second reading on Sept. 2, the new rates will take effect Oct. 1 through June 30, 2026, with early payers receiving a 2% discount and late payers facing penalties.
Read more about the lower property tax rate here.
City, county approve financing deal for 125-unit residential complex in Covington
Covington and Kenton County officials have approved a financing deal and tax abatement for the $27 million Bavarian Flats apartment project, a 125-unit complex to be built above the county’s new parking garage on Simon Kenton Way. The city will issue up to $20 million in Industrial Revenue Bonds (IRBs), with developer Merus receiving a temporary property tax abatement in exchange for making graduated PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) payments over 20 years—30% of taxes in the first decade, 50% in the next five years, and 80% in the final five. While city leaders emphasized that the project will turn a non-tax-producing county property into a revenue-generating one, some residents voiced concerns about reduced tax collections, affordability for local incomes, and the potential for frequent ownership changes. Construction on the garage is nearly complete, with the apartments expected to open by February 2027.
Read more about the complex here.
‘No Knock’ list launched in Fort Mitchell to deter solicitors
Fort Mitchell is updating its regulations for door-to-door solicitors, introducing a strengthened “No Knock” list that residents can join to prevent unwanted sales visits. Under the revised program, private companies must register with the city before soliciting, follow set rules including time restrictions, and face penalties for violations. Mayor Jude Hehman emphasized that the rules target businesses, not neighborhood kids offering services, and aim to ensure safety and accountability. Residents must re-verify their addresses to remain on the list and can also purchase an official $10 “No Solicitors” sign with the city seal, though buying the sign does not automatically enroll them in the program.
Read more about the “No Knock” list here.
$40M in bonds approved for former DAV site redevelopment
Cold Spring City Council has approved up to $40 million in Industrial Revenue Bonds (IRBs) to help finance the first phase of the Cold Spring Town Center, a $49 million redevelopment of the former Disabled American Veterans headquarters site. The council authorized $35 million in tax-exempt Series A bonds and $5 million in taxable Series B bonds, which will be repaid by the developer rather than the city. The 28-acre site at Alexandria Pike and Industrial Road will be transformed into a mixed-use development anchored by two 45,000-square-foot medical office buildings for Cincinnati Children’s and The Christ Hospital, along with four retail buildings. The bonds will fund the retail portion of the project, with completion expected in 2026, followed by the medical offices in 2028.
Read more about the bonds for the DAV site here.
What’s happening this week in NKY government
Highland Heights City Council: Tuesday, Sept. 2
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 176 Johns Hill Road.
Florence City Council caucus meeting: Tuesday, Sept. 2
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 8100 Ewing Blvd.
The agenda can be found here.
Covington City Commission Caucus: Tuesday, Sept. 2
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 20 West Pike St.
The agenda can be found here.
Elsmere City Council: Tuesday, Sept. 2
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at 3921 Dixie Highway.
The agenda can be found here when it is published.
Erlanger City Council: Tuesday, Sept. 2
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 505 Commonwealth Ave.
What you need to know: Erlanger will discuss bids for Eons Adventure Park phase one.
Read more about plans for the park here.
The agenda can be found here.
Fort Wright City Council: Wednesday, Sept. 3
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 409 Kyles Lane.
The agenda can be found here.
Campbell County Fiscal Court: Wednesday, Sept. 3
The meeting starts at 9 a.m. at the Alexandria Courthouse at 8352 E Main St. in Alexandria.
The agenda can be found here.
Kenton County Planning Commission: Thursday, Sept. 4
The meeting starts at 6:15 p.m. at the Kenton County Government Center, located at 1840 Simon Kenton Way, in Covington.
The agenda can be found here when it is published.
Alexandria City Council: Thursday, Sept. 4
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at the city building, located at 8236 W. Main St.
The agenda can be found here when it is published.
