This week in NKY government meetings, Boone County is considering updating its zoning code to address commercial truck parking.
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?
Zone change committee advances proposal for NKY’s first QuikTrip
Plans for Northern Kentucky’s first QuikTrip moved forward Wednesday as the Boone County Planning Commission’s Zone Change Committee recommended approval of a proposal to redevelop the vacant Frisch’s Big Boy site at 6808 Burlington Pike in unincorporated Boone County. The project would replace the former restaurant with a 6,445-square-foot convenience store, a fuel canopy with 14 fueling stations, and related infrastructure, with QuikTrip making minor revisions to its site and building design since a January public hearing. Committee members said the proposal aligns with the county’s Comprehensive Plan, while the company addressed traffic concerns by adding a right-in/right-out median and agreeing to work with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. The project will next go before the full planning commission and, if approved, the Boone County Fiscal Court for final consideration.
Read more about the QuikTrip here.
Campbell County residents ask officials to reconsider ICE contract
Campbell County residents filled the Jan. 21 fiscal court meeting to voice concerns about the county’s contract to house ICE detainees at the Campbell County Detention Center, joining a broader wave of similar opposition seen across Northern Kentucky. Multiple speakers questioned the morality, financial motivations and potential community impact of cooperating with ICE, urging county leaders to end or amend the agreement, which operates as a subcontract through the U.S. Marshals Service. Judge/Executive Steve Pendery explained that the county has long housed federal detainees under a marshals contract and said ICE detainees are treated the same as all others, emphasizing the county’s responsibility to provide safe and humane conditions. While Pendery fielded questions for about 30 minutes, he said the fiscal court was not prepared to decide whether to alter the contract, noting that more information and broader community input would be needed.
Read more about the residents asking the county to reconsider its contract here.
Garden hose used to control structural fire in Southgate
A structural fire that occurred late last year on Fairway Drive in Southgate was contained early thanks to the quick actions of two police officers who used portable fire extinguishers and a garden hose until firefighters arrived. At a recent city council meeting, Mayor Jim Hamberg and Police Chief John Christmann honored Sergeant Garret Haynes and Officer Nate Snyder for their bravery and actions above the call of duty, presenting them with a combination pin for their Class A uniforms. City leaders credited the officers’ response with preventing the fire from spreading and reducing its severity, noting that no injuries were reported and the cause of the fire was not disclosed.
Read more about the fire here.
With financial review done, Fort Thomas weighs forensic audit
Fort Thomas officials were told at the Jan. 20 city council meeting that the city’s 2024/2025 fiscal year audit showed no significant issues, following last year’s audit that revealed $322,000 in accounting errors attributed to poor bookkeeping rather than fraud. Certified Public Accountant John Chamberlin, who conducted both audits, reported no material weaknesses in internal controls and said the city is addressing prior management recommendations, many of which have already been resolved under interim finance director Linda Chapman. Mayor Andy Ellison said state and federal agencies declined to investigate because there was no evidence of fraud, calling the problems “lazy and sloppy bookkeeping” inherited from past administrations. While the clean audit marks progress, council members are still weighing whether a $35,000-per-year forensic audit is worth the cost, with a cost-benefit analysis expected to be completed next month.
Read more about the consideration of the forensic audit here.
What’s happening this week in NKY government?
Cold Spring City Council: Monday, Jan. 26: Canceled due to weather
Crescent Springs City Council, Monday, Jan. 26: Canceled due to weather
Park Hills City Council, Monday, Jan. 26: Canceled due to weather
Kenton County Fiscal Court: Tuesday, Jan. 27
The meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. at the Kenton County Government Center
1840 Simon Kenton Way, in Covington.
What you need to know: Kenton County, which manages $13 million in site development funds from the state, supports allowing up to $2 million of that money to be used by the Northern Kentucky Port Authority to help pay for building costs tied to redeveloping the First District at 525 Scott Street in Covington. The county is looking to formally approve the use of a portion of state economic development funds to help move this redevelopment project forward.
The agenda can be found here.
Covington Commission meeting: Tuesday, Jan. 27
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 20 West Pike St.
What you need to know: Covington will be holding its audit presentation.
The agenda can be found here.
Florence City Council meeting: Tuesday, Jan. 27
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 8100 Ewing Blvd.
The agenda can be found here.
Boone County Fiscal Court: Tuesday, Jan. 27
The meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. at 2950 Washington St., Burlington.
What you need to know: The county will discuss zoning regulations in the unincorporated areas of Boone County to regulate and define commercial parking for freight containers, semitrailers, trailers, trucks, and truck tractors, and identify zoning districts where the uses are allowed.
Read more about the parking here.
The agenda can be found here.
Newport Board of Education: Wednesday, Jan. 28
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at 30 West 8th St.
The agenda can be found here.