This week in NKY government meetings, Kenton County’s planning commission will review a proposed zoning change for a mix of two-family and multi-family housing in Independence.
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?
Newport Independent Schools receives clean audit
The Newport Board of Education received a clean audit for the 2024/2025 school year, with Paul Maddox of Maddox & Associates reporting that the district’s financial statements were fairly presented, internal controls showed no issues, and federal program compliance was sound. Maddox emphasized that the audited financial statements and internal controls are the responsibility of the district’s finance team and board, highlighting the importance of strong oversight to safeguard public funds. While no fraud or illegal activity was found, the management letter included minor recommendations regarding school activity funds — a common issue in districts due to staff turnover and retraining. Overall, Maddox said the district’s financial health appears strong, noting steady assets, slightly decreasing liabilities, and net positions that have increased or remained stable over the past two years.
Read more about the audit here.
Newport remembers community champion Robert Ingguls
The city of Newport honored the life and legacy of Robert Ingguls, a longtime youth advocate, historian and community leader who died in September 2025 at age 94. Born in Lexington and raised in Newport, Ingguls was instrumental in preserving the historic Southgate Street School, ensuring its significance to Black history and education would not be forgotten. After graduating from William Grant High School and attending Fisk University, he built a career in ophthalmology, serving at the University of Cincinnati before retiring as a registered ophthalmic assistant and instructor. Deeply involved in civic and faith communities, Ingguls was active in the NAACP, held decades-long church leadership roles, and was a distinguished 33rd Degree Prince Hall Mason.
Read more about Robert Ingguls here.
Boone fiscal court approves $11.38M budget for new county building
Boone County has approved a guaranteed maximum price of $9,691,376 with Pepper Construction for a new 20,000-square-foot emergency management and public safety communications building, bringing the total project budget — including $1.69 million in county costs and contingency funds — to about $11.38 million. The facility will relocate Public Safety Communications and Emergency Management Services from their current locations in Florence and the sheriff’s office to a dedicated building in the county’s “Public Service Corridor” near Conrad Lane and Bullitsville Road. Construction is expected to begin in March with completion targeted for next spring. Officials said the roughly $ 500-per-square-foot cost aligns with similar facilities and assured there will be no operational downtime during the transition, as backup systems and equipment are in place.
Read more about the new county building here.
Covington formally opposes short-term rental bill, other proposed legislation
The Covington Board of Commissioners voted this week to support a state bill reforming local occupational tax collection while opposing two others related to alcohol sales and short-term rentals. Commissioners unanimously opposed Senate Bill 112, which would prevent cities from regulating short-term rentals like Airbnbs, citing concerns about housing stock, zoning control and neighborhood impacts. They also opposed House Bill 612, which would add a 4% state fee on alcohol sales — effectively raising the tax on alcohol purchases to 10% statewide — with all but one commissioner (who abstained due to owning a bar) voting against it over concerns it would hurt small businesses and consumers. Meanwhile, the board unanimously supported Senate Bill 237, which would require certain large companies receiving local incentives to remit occupational taxes to the city even if employees work remotely, an issue that has significantly affected Covington’s tax revenue since the pandemic.
Read more about the opposed bills here.
Airline food company to move into old Covington White Castle plant
International airline food producer MarfoFMA plans to move into the former White Castle distribution facility on Rolling Hills Drive in Covington, investing more than $37 million and bringing up to 98 full-time jobs to the region, including 78 positions based in Covington and Kenton County paying at least $34.61 per hour. The Quebec-based company, which produces high-end frozen meals for airline clients, aims to open its first U.S. production facility in the building — purchased for $5.3 million in January — by the second quarter of 2027, with hiring expected to begin later this year. Local and state officials have approved or are considering incentives for the project, including a 10-year, 50% property tax abatement and up to $1.7 million in state support, as leaders tout the development as a significant economic win for the area following White Castle’s 2024 closure.
Read more about the new company here.
Newport to continue annual $15k contribution to Red Bike program
The Newport City Commission approved a $15,000, one-year funding agreement to continue supporting the Red Bike program, with the option to renew for up to two additional years. Red Bike, a Cincinnati-based nonprofit promoting alternative transportation and regional connectivity, recorded more than 125,000 rides last year, with over one-third from low-income users, and is widely used in Newport for commuting and recreation. Northern Kentucky cities have collectively contributed more than $75,000 to support operations, and Newport is partnering with Red Bike and Kroger to open a new station in West Newport this spring.
Read more about the contribution here.
What’s happening this week in NKY government?
Kenton County School Board meeting: Monday, March 2
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 2044 Tuscanyview Drive in Covington.
What you need to know: The school board is discussing multiple elementary school construction projects, as well as its new central office project.
The agenda can be found here.
Edgewood City Council meeting: Monday, March 2
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at 385 Dudley Road.
The agenda can be found here.
Highland Heights City Council meeting: Monday, March 2
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 176 Johns Hill Road.
Independence City Council meeting: Monday, March 2
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 5409 Madison Pike.
What you need to know: The city council will award the bid for the Memorial Park splash pad installation.
The agenda can be found here.
Union Commission meeting: Monday, March 2
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 1843 Bristow Drive.
The agenda can be found here.
Wilder City Council meeting: Monday, March 2
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 520 Licking Pike.
Boone County Fiscal Court meeting: Tuesday, March 3
The meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. at 2950 Washington St. in Burlington.
The agenda can be found here.
Covington Commission caucus meeting: Tuesday, March 3
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 20 West Pike St.
The agenda can be found here.
Elsmere City caucus meeting: Tuesday, March 3
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at 3921 Dixie Highway.
The agenda can be found here.
Erlanger City Council meeting: Tuesday, March 3
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 505 Commonwealth Ave.
The agenda can be found here.
Florence City Council meeting: Tuesday, March 3
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 8100 Ewing Blvd.
The agenda can be found here.
Campbell County Fiscal Court meeting: Wednesday, March 4
The meeting starts at 9 a.m. at the Alexandria Courthouse, 8352 E Main St. in
Alexandria.
The agenda can be found here.
Fort Wright City Council meeting: Wednesday, March 4
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 409 Kyles Lane.
The agenda can be found here.
Kenton County Planning and Development meeting: Thursday, March 5
The meeting starts at 6:15 p.m. at 1840 Simon Kenton Way in Covington.
What you need to know: Fischer Homes is requesting a proposed map amendment and concept development plan to the Independence Zoning Ordinance, changing the described property from Residential Rural Estate Zone to the Planned Unit Development Zone at 4979 Oliver Road; an area of approximately 27.98 acres.
Fischer Homes proposes 178 total dwelling units, including 66 two-family dwellings and 112 multi-family (condominium) units at a density of 7.2 units per net acre. The development also includes proposed public streets with access to KY 17, off-street parking spaces, a detention basin, and 38.5% open space.
The agenda can be found here.
Alexandria City Council meeting: Thursday, March 5
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 8236 West Main St.
The agenda can be found here.