This week in NKY government meetings, Newport will discuss advancing a major Monmouth Street redevelopment as the Kenton County Planning Commission considers rezoning 45 acres for 450 apartments.
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?
Meagan Guthrie fills empty Ludlow city council seat
The Ludlow City Council appointed Meagan Guthrie to fill the open council seat left by Sarah Thompson, who became mayor earlier this month. After soliciting letters of interest from residents, the council considered multiple candidates. Council Member Stephen Chapman nominated James Cicchetti, but the motion failed to get a second. Julie Navarre then nominated Guthrie, with Paula Grazsus seconding; Grazsus, Navarre, and David Ziegler voted in favor, Chapman voted no, and Abby Miller abstained. Guthrie, director of addiction response for Hamilton County and a six-year Ludlow resident, said she hopes to focus on grassroots coalition-building and attracting more businesses while preserving the city’s character. Council members praised the strong community engagement during the process and encouraged residents to remain politically involved, particularly with the upcoming election.
Read more about the appointment here.
Ludlow raises taxes after stalled votes
The Ludlow City Council ultimately voted to approve a property tax increase after initially failing to pass any of the three proposed rates, including one that would have kept rates unchanged. After rejecting both the unchanged rate and the highest proposed rate, the council revisited and approved the “middle” option — a compensating rate plus 2% — which raises the real estate tax rate to $0.534 per $100 of assessed value and the personal property rate to $1.842. The city expects to collect about $105,000 more in revenue this year, with the average homeowner paying roughly $5.83 more per month. Officials said the additional funds will support road repairs, beautification projects in the central business district (like new lights, flowers, and benches), upgrades to the city council chambers’ sound system, and contributions to the new Ludlow Memorial Park amphitheater.
Read more about the tax rate here.
Is Florence getting a Wawa?
At its Sept. 23 meeting, the Florence City Council reviewed plans for a new Wawa food market and gas station at U.S. 42 and Hopeful Church Road, with construction expected to be completed in 2027. The proposal revises a 1989 concept plan to allow for a modern Wawa store with a drive-through and fuel pumps, replacing existing businesses including a Blue Pantry, Snappy Tomato Pizza, and Lita’s Tacos. The Boone County Planning Commission and Florence Planning and Zoning Committee have both recommended approval with conditions addressing building design, signage, lighting, traffic flow, and landscaping buffers, as well as continued coordination with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Wawa’s project engineer emphasized that the store would provide about 40 jobs and represent a “best-in-class” convenience store experience. Some council members and residents expressed concern about the displacement of current local business owners, though others voiced support for the development. The council is set to vote on the ordinance for the project in October.
Read more about the Wawa here.
Florence officer opens home to child headed to foster care: ‘His prayers were answered’
Florence police officer Michael Stanaland was honored with a distinguished service award after he and his wife agreed to foster a child whom the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services was seeking placement for during a call he responded to in October 2024. What began as a short-term arrangement became a long-term commitment, with the child still living with the Stanaland family nearly a year later as their official foster child. Police Chief Jeff Mallery praised Stanaland and his family for their extraordinary kindness and dedication, noting that the award recognized their compassion as much as their service. Stanaland, who received a plaque and service pin, shared that his son had recently prayed to become a big brother, joking that “the Lord obviously had the last laugh.” He expressed gratitude for how his entire family embraced the life-changing decision to foster and support the child.
Read more about the officer opening his home to a child headed for foster care here.
Florence approves new tax rates, electric franchise ordinances
At its Sept. 23 meeting, the Florence City Council unanimously passed two ordinances: one creating a bidding process for a non-exclusive 20-year electric franchise for utilities like Duke Energy and Owen Electric Cooperative to operate within city rights-of-way, and another lowering property taxes for the second straight year. Some residents could see their tax bills drop by about $25, with a 2% discount available for payments made before Nov. 1 and penalties for payments after Jan. 1, 2026. Mayor Julie Metzger Aubuchon emphasized the significance of back-to-back tax cuts, noting it was the first time since 2003–2004 that Florence has reduced tax rates in consecutive years, crediting the city’s strong financial management for making it possible.
Read more about the new tax rate and electric franchise here.
Covington increases property tax rates
The Covington Board of Commissioners voted to raise property taxes, approving a new real estate property tax rate of $0.287 per $100 of assessed value (up from $0.277) and a new tangible property tax rate of $0.375 (up from $0.326). These comp+4 rates are expected to increase revenue for the city and mark the first significant adjustment since fiscal year 2023, after several years of stable rates. The vote followed a first reading and public hearing at last week’s caucus meeting, where no residents spoke, and commissioners passed the measure without discussion or public comment.
Read more about the tax rate here.
What’s happening this week in NKY government?
Newport Board of Commissioners Special meeting: Monday, Sept. 29
The meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. at 998 Monmouth St.
What you need to know: Newport approved an agreement with 400 Monmouth LLC for a 121-unit mixed-use project. The City will issue up to $40M in revenue bonds, repaid solely by the developer, not taxpayers. A 30-year PILOT agreement will replace property taxes. The project brings new housing, commerce, and economic growth to Newport.
The city is also considering a vote to allow the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to purchase some city land. This land is needed to build a new Fourth Street Bridge.
The agenda can be found here.
Campbell County Fiscal Court: Wednesday, Oct. 1
The meeting starts at 9 a.m. at the Alexandria Courthouse, 8352 E Main St.
The agenda can be found here.
Fort Wright City Council: Wednesday, Oct. 1
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 409 Kyles Lane.
The agenda can be found here.
Kenton County Planning Commission: Thursday, Oct. 2
The meeting starts at 6:15 p.m. at the Kenton County Government Center at 1840 Simon Kenton Way, Covington.
What you need to know: One of the cases that the planning commission will review is fromCorporex per Greg Scheper on behalf of Key Property Development. The property is approximately 45.03 acres located on the north side of Dolwick Drive between Crescent Springs Road to the east and Turfway Road to the west, approximately one mile west of Crescent Springs Road, in Erlanger. The request is a map amendment to the Erlanger Zoning Ordinance from a business park zone to a multi-family residential zone. The applicant proposes a multi-family development with 450 apartment units, 550 off-street parking spaces, and associated amenities.
The agenda can be found here.
Alexandria City Council: Thursday, Oct. 2
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 8236 West Main St.
The agenda can be found here.
