This week in NKY government meetings, Wilder will weigh an industrial development proposal for a 19-acre site, while Crescent Springs revisits a disputed 17-townhome development plan.
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 revisits proposal to ease backyard chicken restrictions
Boone County officials are revisiting whether to ease zoning restrictions that currently prevent residents in unincorporated areas from keeping backyard chickens, rabbits, and bees. Commissioner Chet Hand initiated the discussion in June, arguing that attitudes toward such animals have shifted, with more people viewing them as pets or hobbies rather than farm livestock. The issue resurfaced during an October caucus meeting, where the Boone County Fiscal Court and Planning Commission—who oversee unincorporated areas outside Florence, Walton and Union—heard public comments both for and against the change. Although no legislative decision was made, county leaders are expected to continue considering amendments to the zoning code, which currently limits these animals to agricultural and low-density residential zones, while still allowing HOAs to impose their own restrictions.
Read more about the backyard chickens here.
Union recognizes new voting precincts after 2024 ballot mix-up
The City of Union has formally acknowledged the Boone County Board of Elections’ reorganization of voting precincts to prevent ballot confusion following errors in the 2024 election. The restructuring reduces mixed precincts from three to two, clearly separating Union residents from those in unincorporated Boone County. Under the new system, precincts 2 and 5 are exclusively for Union voters, precincts 1 and 3 remain mixed, and precincts 4, 6, 7, and 8 are designated for unincorporated areas. The changes stemmed from a 2024 election mishap where many voters received incorrect ballots, leading to about 800 miscast votes and a court-ordered invalidation of the Union commission election. Boone County Clerk Justin Crigler and city officials emphasized that the updates—along with the future implementation of print-on-demand ballot printers in 2026—aim to ensure every voter receives the correct ballot and that future elections run smoothly.
Read more about the new voting precincts here.
Newport schools seek solutions as gifted, talented teacher opening persists
Kentucky schools like Newport’s are struggling to hire gifted and talented teachers due to the state’s credentialing requirements, which demand extra coursework and an endorsement but offer no pay incentives. At the Oct. 23 Newport Board of Education meeting, district leaders discussed the challenge of filling the position, noting that few teachers pursue the endorsement because it’s costly, time-consuming, and offers limited career opportunities—often just one role per district. Despite a statewide mandate requiring gifted and talented programs for exceptional students, Kentucky’s certification system has not adapted to recent teacher qualification changes, creating widespread hiring difficulties. Newport officials are considering options like sharing a teacher with another district and training existing teachers to better support gifted students in the classroom.
Read more about the search for a gifted and talented teacher here.
Planning grant helps kick off Read Ready Dayton
Read Ready Dayton is a new initiative aimed at boosting kindergarten readiness and early reading skills across the city as part of EducateNKY’s regional effort to improve education outcomes in Northern Kentucky. With a $12,000 planning grant from EducateNKY, Dayton joins other river cities in launching the program, which begins with forming a local team of educators, city officials, and community leaders to design strategies tailored to the community’s needs. The team will assess existing resources and develop projects to promote literacy, taking cues from successful efforts in Covington, such as bilingual signage and reading apps. EducateNKY will also provide access to tools like the Footsteps to Brilliance app and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, which now enrolls every baby born at St. Elizabeth Edgewood hospital. The program is still in its early planning phase, with the local committee set to shape Dayton’s specific approach in the coming months.
Read more about Read Ready Dayton here.
Boone County selects firm to build new multi-use path
Boone County has chosen Palmer Engineering, a Cincinnati-based firm, to design and build a new section of its expanding multi-use path network along Conrad Lane between KY-237 and Bullittsville Road. The path will enhance pedestrian and cyclist connectivity in the Burlington area, linking key destinations such as the county fairgrounds and England Idlewild Park, and integrating with the broader system of trails along Pleasant Valley and Camp Ernst. Funded through a federal Surface Transportation Block Grant administered by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, the $2.7 million project will be jointly financed, with the county covering half the cost and receiving $150,000 in state reimbursement. The initiative, already budgeted for the 2025–2026 fiscal year, is part of Boone County’s long-term plan to build a continuous network of multi-use paths connecting parks, neighborhoods, and commercial areas while promoting safe, non-motorized travel.
Read more about the firm selected to build the new path here.
Erlanger weighs allowing public hearing for Corporex zoning
Erlanger City Council members recently discussed how to balance public participation with legal protocol ahead of a zoning decision for Corporex’s proposed 450-unit apartment complex on Dolwick Drive. The $1,500–$1,900-per-month development, spanning 46 acres across Erlanger and Crescent Springs, received a favorable recommendation from the Kenton County Planning Commission to rezone the land from business park to multi-family residential. While Council Member Tyson Hermes emphasized allowing residents to voice opinions, City Attorney Jack Gatlin cautioned that accepting new evidence outside official public hearings could violate due process for developers. The council agreed that such input must occur during designated hearings with proper notice, as required by law. The zoning change—supported by Council Member Jennifer Jasper-Lucas due to local housing needs—will receive its first reading in November, marking the next step in the city’s review of the long-anticipated Corporex project.
Read more about allowing a public hearing here.
Covington drinking area popular with businesses, iffy with others
At a recent public hearing, Covington business owners largely supported a proposal to create a Common Consumption Area (CCA) an outdoor drinking zone allowing patrons to carry alcoholic beverages in designated containers within the city’s central business district—while residents and workers raised concerns about safety, cleanliness, and preserving the city’s character. The measure, championed by Vice Mayor Shannon Smith and Commissioner Tim Acri, aims to boost local commerce by drawing more visitors downtown, with operating hours proposed for evenings on Thursdays through Saturdays and during major sports games. Supporters, including local chambers and tourism groups, said the CCA would benefit small businesses, while critics worried it could worsen public intoxication, litter, and strain on service workers. City officials, including Mayor Ron Washington, remained cautious, emphasizing the need to proceed carefully and ensure community feedback shapes the final decision before any ordinance moves forward.
Read more about the Covington drinking area here.
Proposed Florence Wawa clears final planning hurdle
After months of debate, the Florence City Council narrowly approved a Change of Concept Development Plan allowing a new Wawa convenience store and gas station to be built at the intersection of US 42 and Hopeful Church Road, clearing the project’s final hurdle. The 4–2 vote followed extensive review by city staff and the Planning and Zoning Committee, which attached nine conditions related to lighting, landscaping, fencing, signage, and design. While officials acknowledged concerns about increased traffic and the displacement of local businesses such as Lita’s Tacos and Snappy Tomato Pizza, they noted that state law and prior approvals dating back to the 1980s left the city with limited authority to alter or block the project. Snappy Tomato has already secured a new location near Union, while Lita’s Tacos continues to seek a new site with city assistance. Wawa representatives said the new store could open as early as 2027.
Read more about the Wawa plans here.
Fort Thomas residents demand financial accountability: ‘Time to step up’
Fort Thomas residents packed the Oct. 20 city council meeting to voice concerns over the city’s financial management after a recent audit revealed accounting discrepancies totaling more than $322,000. Citizens, including Nicole Utz and Tiffany Huber, criticized the city’s transparency and called for a forensic audit and more open communication about fiscal issues. Some, like Joan Ferris, urged leadership changes if necessary to restore accountability. In response, officials pledged to post monthly general ledger updates and emphasized the importance of the ongoing audit in identifying problems and ensuring financial stability. Councilmember Ben Pendery, chair of the finance committee, said the audit provides an opportunity to correct issues and rebuild public trust. Additional meetings are scheduled for Oct. 29 and Nov. 5 to address the findings and determine next steps.
Read more about the demand for financial accountability here.
Newport approves $5M in IRBs to support Nexigen office expansion
Nexigen, a Newport-based technology firm specializing in IT services, cloud solutions, and AI innovations, is expanding its presence in downtown Newport with new office space supported by $5 million in Industrial Building Revenue Bonds (IRBs) approved by the city commission. The project involves renovating two historic properties—the former bank at 810 Monmouth Street and the old funeral home at 825–835 York Street—into a tech hub that will also include partial residential units for employees. The 30-year bond agreement, running from 2026 to 2055, will be repaid through Nexigen’s lease revenues rather than taxpayer funds, with a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) arrangement benefiting the city, county, and local schools. City leaders praised the project for revitalizing key downtown buildings and creating an estimated 75 new jobs. Renovations are expected to begin after the bond closing in November, with work on the Monmouth Street building projected to take about nine months.
Read more about the Nexigen expansion in Newport here.
Kenton County School District set to move offices to Covington in January
The Kenton County School District is relocating its central offices from Fort Wright to a larger facility in Covington, with plans to move in at the end of December and officially open on Jan. 5, 2026. Located at Madison Pike and Tuscany View Drive, the new building will offer expanded space to house all district staff—eliminating the need to use classroom space in schools—and will feature parking for staff and visitors. It will also serve as a Virtual Learning Center, providing a dedicated classroom and meeting areas to support the district’s growing online education program. The project is being financed through general obligation bonds.
Read more about the office move here.
What’s happening this week in NKY government?
Wilder Planning and Zoning meeting: Monday, Oct. 27
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Wilder City Building council chambers, 520 Licking Pike.
What you need to know: A proposed zoning map amendment was submitted by ANDIS LLC for 19.53 acres located at Pooles Creek Road and St. Johns Lane for the purpose of constructing an industrial-type building, office maintenance garage and outdoor storage.
Cold Spring City Council special meeting: Monday, Oct. 27
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Cold Spring Community Center at 5686 E Alexandria Pike.
What you need to know: A public hearing is being held for changes to the Special Development Area Zone in the city.
The agenda can be found here.
Crescent Springs City Council meeting: Monday, Oct. 27
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 739 Buttermilk Pike.
What you need to know: The council will discuss approving an amended concept development plan regarding property located at 620-632 Ireland Avenue, an area of approximately 1.09 acres located at the northeast corner of the intersection of Ireland Avenue and Harris Street.
The Kenton County Planning Commission approved the variance requests and a conceptual development plan for 17 new townhomes in Crescent Springs in September, despite strong opposition from residents and city officials concerned about traffic, drainage, and neighborhood impact. The proposed development will feature two buildings with three-bedroom units and reduced setbacks from nearby roads and commercial lots. Crescent Springs city leaders, including council members Carol McGowan, Jeannine Bell Smith, and Jeff Smith, voiced concerns about flooding and safety, with some indicating plans to appeal the decision. If the city council ultimately rejects the concept plan, the variances will be nullified, reverting the project to its previous design standards.
The agenda can be found here.
Park Hills Special meeting: Monday, Oct. 27
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 1106 Amsterdam Road.
The agenda can be found here.
Campbell County Mayor’s meeting: Tuesday, Oct. 28
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at the Campbell County Administration Building, 1098 Monmouth St. in Newport.
Kenton County Fiscal Court meeting: Tuesday, Oct. 28
The meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. at the Kenton County Government Center
1840 Simon Kenton Way.
What you need to know: The commission will discuss Kenton County and the city of Covington’s joint proposal to use opioid abatement dollars to create a multi-jurisdictional Law Enforcement Navigator program. The goal of this program is to initiate a non-law enforcement response to those in a mental health and/or substance abuse crisis when criteria are met.
The agenda can be found here.