This week in NKY government meetings, Park Hills will talk about revisiting the “Park Hills Dixie Study & Road Diet Concept.”
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?
Boone County panel rejects zone change for 382-unit Union Landing project
A Boone County Planning Commission committee has recommended denying a proposed zone change that would have allowed the construction of 382 housing units—88 paired patio homes and 294 townhomes—on a 39.5-acre site at 2063 Hathaway Road outside Union, known as the Robert Reeves Estate. Developer Charter Commercial sought to rezone the property from Suburban Residential-1 to Suburban Residential-2 Planned Development, but committee members raised concerns about the project’s density, its impact on rural character, and the ability of Hathaway Road’s infrastructure to handle increased traffic. Committee member Rick Lunnemann argued that the high-density proposal was more suitable for a centralized Union Town location, while Janet Kegley stressed that approving SR-2 zoning here could set a precedent for further high-density development along Hathaway Road. The full Boone County Planning Commission will consider the recommendation at its Oct. 1 meeting.
Read more about the rejected zone change here.
Fort Wright council member resigns: ‘This is a huge loss’
Fort Wright City Councilmember Dave Abeln has resigned after 13 years of service, citing increased professional responsibilities as vice president at Metcut Research Inc. Mayor Dave Hatter praised Abeln’s contributions, calling his departure a major loss for the city. Fort Wright is now seeking applicants to fill the vacant council seat, with interested candidates required to contact city administrator Jill Cain Bailey by Oct. 1, 2025. Applicants must be at least 18, have lived in Fort Wright for over a year, be eligible to vote in Kentucky, and plan to remain through 2026. Senior Councilmember Scott Wall will lead the candidate selection process, which will involve interviews before the council makes its decision. The city has 30 days from Abeln’s Sept. 17 resignation to appoint a replacement before the governor may step in to fill the position.
Read more about the council member’s resignation here.
Covington considers raising property tax rates
The Covington Board of Commissioners is considering raising both its real estate and personal property tax rates for the 2026 fiscal year, which runs from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. At a caucus meeting on Tuesday, the board held a first reading of the ordinance, moving into legislative session unusually early in the process, and held a public hearing where no residents spoke. The proposed real estate property tax rate is $0.287 per $100 of assessed value, up from $0.277, while the proposed tangible personal property tax rate is $0.375 per $100, up from $0.326. Finance Director Bre Gaffney said the increases—set at compensating rates plus 4%—are meant to cover the city’s general operations, public improvements, and bond obligations. The commission will hold its final vote next week at a meeting that will also allow for public comment.
Read more about the proposed tax raise here.
Tattoo shops get green light in Alexandria
The Alexandria Planning and Zoning Commission voted on Sept. 16 to allow tattoo studios as permitted businesses in the city’s highway commercial zone, with operating hours from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., after determining they could not legally ban them altogether under Kentucky law. The decision benefits local residents Jesse Hughes and Jada Reynolds, who had signed a lease at 7923 East Alexandria Pike in hopes of opening a studio before the vote. The commission also added a rule that tattoo studios in the highway commercial zone must be at least one mile apart, mirroring regulations for vape shops.
Read more about the tattoo shop approval here.
Alexandria approves Kroger traffic plan; sends to KYTC for final review
Alexandria is moving forward with plans for a $35 million, 122,912-square-foot Kroger Marketplace that will include a fuel center, an 8,000-square-foot wine and spirits store, and amenities such as a pharmacy drive-through, Starbucks, and home goods section. On Sept. 16, the Alexandria Planning and Zoning Commission voted 5-1 to approve and forward an updated traffic plan to the Kentucky Department of Transportation (KYTC) for final approval, addressing concerns about traffic flow, line-of-sight issues, and turning restrictions. The plan includes multiple right-in/right-out access points, a new traffic signal at Commercial Circle North, and a widened U.S. 27 with a U-turn loon to improve traffic circulation.
Read more about the traffic plans here.
Empress Chili celebrated as Alexandria fixture for 40 years
Empress Chili, a beloved Alexandria institution, is celebrating 40 years of serving Cincinnati-style chili on Sept. 23. In recognition of this milestone, the Alexandria City Council honored owner Steve Martin with a proclamation declaring Sept. 23 as “Empress Chili Day.” Mayor Andy Schabell praised the restaurant for being a cornerstone of the community, where many residents had their first jobs and learned valuable life skills. Martin opened the first location in 1985 at age 23, later building the current spot in 1991 with his father’s help. Over the years, about 400 employees—including many of Martin’s relatives—have worked at the chili parlor, which is cherished for its great food, affordable prices, and friendly service.
Read more about the 40-year milestone here.
These Covington streets could be converted from one-way to two-way
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is planning to resurface Covington’s 11th and 12th streets and is exploring converting them from one-way to two-way traffic as part of the project. District 6 Chief Engineer Bob Yeager updated the Covington Board of Commissioners, noting that 11th Street may return to city control, giving Covington full authority over its design. The proposed conversion of 12th Street (Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd) would direct most state traffic between Newport and Covington onto that road and the Girl Scout Bridge, which officials hope would slow traffic through the area. Yeager also discussed potential traffic calming measures, such as stop signs near the bridge and possible speed bumps, while acknowledging concerns about infrastructure maintenance, traffic diversion into neighborhoods, and pedestrian safety following recent accidents. Plans also include adding bike lanes to the 12th Street Bridge with two-foot buffers from vehicle lanes. City commissioners invited residents to share feedback as deliberations continue.
Read more about the possible street conversions here.
Florence closes in on new electric franchise agreement
Florence City Council has taken a step toward soliciting bids for a non-exclusive electric franchise agreement that would govern electricity infrastructure within the city’s transportation rights-of-way. At a Sept. 16 special meeting, the council unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance to advertise the bidding process, which will allow major utilities Duke Energy and Owen Electric to submit proposals. The 20-year agreement would set terms for the placement of transmission and distribution facilities and authorize the city to impose a franchise fee of up to 5% of a utility’s annual gross receipts, though City Administrator Joshua Hunt said residents are unlikely to see higher power costs in the near term. The ordinance creates a legal framework that lets future councils decide whether to impose such a fee and ensures Florence maintains control over utilities operating in public rights-of-way. If approved at the next regular meeting, the bidding process will begin, with council having 30 days to review and accept or reject responses.
Read more about the franchise agreement here.
Newport hits the ground running after taking over Purple People Bridge
Newport has officially taken ownership of the Purple People Bridge following a Sept. 10 vote by the Purple People Bridge Company Board, marking a new chapter for the iconic pedestrian crossing. At the Sept. 15 Board of Commissioners meeting, city leaders emphasized that no fixed plan has been set, preferring to engage partners and the public to shape the bridge’s future use and vision. The city has already begun hazard mitigation by removing a hanging metal piece, contacted Cincinnati’s engineering department for a site visit and permitting discussions, and prepared bid specifications for necessary repairs on the Cincinnati side. Newport has also hired a planning and urban design consultant to guide coalition-building, public engagement, and long-term strategy for the bridge, which sees nearly 700,000 crossings annually. Next steps include defining concept alternatives for activation and operations, securing regional funding and investment, and forming a new governing body to sustain the bridge as a key bicycle and pedestrian asset for the region.
Read more about the city’s plans for the bridge here.
Fort Mitchell joins statewide mutual aid agreement
Fort Mitchell City Council unanimously voted on Sept. 15 to join a proposed statewide mutual aid agreement, joining Fort Wright, Park Hills, Edgewood, and Independence in the effort. City Administrator Edwin King explained that the agreement is a standard measure that simply formalizes existing practices. The agreement, recommended by the Kentucky League of Cities, ensures that firefighters and their cities will be compensated for their time and equipment when responding to disasters. Fort Mitchell has already demonstrated its commitment to mutual aid, with its fire department assisting in tornado relief efforts in southern Kentucky this past May.
Read more about the statewide mutual aid agreement here.
Dayton proposes property tax rate for 2025-26
At its Sept. 9 meeting, Dayton City Council held a first reading to set the 2025–26 real property tax rate at $0.398 per $100 of assessed value—equal to the compensating rate plus 2%, which is half the 4% increase Kentucky law allows. City Administrator Jay Fossett said Dayton typically takes the full 4%, but the city’s strong finances this year enabled a smaller increase, keeping the city rate at its lowest level in about 16 years. A second reading and vote are scheduled for a special meeting on Sept. 30 at 5:30 p.m. at the Dayton Community Center, followed by a 6 p.m. joint meeting with Dayton Independent Schools to discuss upcoming projects and priorities.
Read more about the property tax rate proposal here.
Bellevue gets state assistance to address Gilligan Field flooding issues
Bellevue may soon see relief from persistent flooding at the newly renovated $8.4 million Gilligan Field sports complex, which has long been affected by overflow from nearby Taylor Creek. At the Sept. 10 city council meeting, Councilmember Mike Almoslechner announced that state experts, including Licking River Basin Coordinator Dr. Brian Storz, have reviewed the issue and proposed potential solutions. A recent meeting with city, school, and regional officials outlined the problem and discussed next steps, including a technical study to find a long-term fix. Almoslechner expressed optimism that a remedy is possible and invited residents to celebrate the field’s reopening, where the Bellevue Tigers recently won their first game in the refurbished stadium.
Read more about the state assistance here.
Bellevue proposes 2025-26 property tax rate
At its Sept. 10 meeting, Bellevue City Council held a brief public hearing and a first reading of the proposed 2025–26 property tax rates, setting the real property tax at $0.364 per $100 of assessed value—the compensating rate plus the maximum 4% increase allowed by the state to offset inflation—and the personal property tax at $0.860 per $100. A second and final vote on the rates is scheduled for the council’s Oct. 8 meeting.
Read more about the property tax proposal here.
What’s happening this week in NKY government?
Cold Spring City Council: Monday, Sept. 22
The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. at 5694 E. Alexandria Pike.
What you need to know: The council will hold a second reading to adopt an ordinance providing for the annual assessment of all real estate and personal/tangible property, including motor vehicles, subject to taxation for the fiscal year 2025-2026.
The agenda can be found here.
Crescent Springs City Council: Monday, Sept. 22
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 739 Buttermilk Pike.
The agenda can be found here.
Park Hills City Caucus meeting: Monday, Sept. 22
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 1106 Amsterdam Road.
What you need to know: The city will discuss revisiting the “Park Hills Dixie Study & Road Diet Concept.”
Learn more about the Park Hills Dixie Study here.
The agenda can be found here.
Kenton County Fiscal Court: Tuesday, Sept. 23
The meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. at the Kenton County Government Center, 1840 Simon Kenton Way, Covington.
The agenda can be found here.
City of Florence Council Business Meeting: Tuesday, Sept. 23
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at the Florence Government Center, 8100 Ewing Blvd.
The agenda can be found here.
Newport Board of Education: Wednesday, Sept. 24
The meeting starts at6:30 p.m. at 30 West 8th St.
The agenda can be found here.
Ludlow City Caucus meeting: Thursday, Sept. 25
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 51 Elm St.
The agenda can be found here.
