This week in NKY government meetings, Wilder Planning and Zoning will review stage one and two development plans for Bobby Mackey’s.
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 preservation plan aims to safeguard history while guiding future growth
Boone County, home to more than 1,600 historic buildings, nearly 600 archaeological sites, over 225 cemeteries and more than 100 National Register properties, has adopted an updated Historic & Heritage Preservation Plan aimed at balancing rapid growth with the preservation of its rich cultural heritage. Led by Preservation Planner Bridget Striker and funded through a Certified Local Government grant, the update builds on the county’s 1999 plan and reflects input gathered through public meetings. The plan focuses on expanding heritage education, improving public access to historic information, increasing documentation of historic resources, promoting tourism and economic development through cultural attractions, encouraging adaptive reuse of historic buildings, and strengthening preservation partnerships and data systems. As Boone County continues to grow, the plan seeks to protect the landmarks and stories that define community identity while ensuring preservation efforts remain effective, accessible, and integrated into future development.
Read more about the preservation plan here.
Ludlow considers bringing Tasers back to police department
Ludlow’s proposed 2026-27 budget includes a $36,400 annual investment in Axon public-safety technology that would reintroduce Tasers to the police department for the first time in years while also adding body cameras, interview-room camera systems, evidence-management software, training tools, a patrol SUV and an e-bike. Police Chief Bart Beck and Officer Bryan Panko said Tasers would provide a critical intermediate-force option between pepper spray and firearms, particularly in situations involving mental health crises or armed suspects where officers want to avoid deadly force. The proposed TASER 10 model includes enhanced safety features, extensive officer training requirements, automatic cloud-based incident documentation and the ability to deploy multiple probes without reloading. City officials say the broader Axon package would improve accountability, evidence handling and investigative capabilities, and the proposal has received support from council members, including Julie Terry Navarre, who called Tasers “a great idea.”
Read more about the Taser decision here.
Highland Heights passes a tax break at the gas pump
Highland Heights City Council has approved a resolution to extend a 10-cent-per-gallon gas tax reduction at local gas stations, potentially providing temporary relief to drivers amid high fuel costs. The move follows Gov. Andy Beshear’s May executive order granting a statewide gas tax break for wholesalers, which expired June 11 but was extended for 37 Kentucky cities that chose to participate. Highland Heights is the fifth Northern Kentucky city to seek the extension, though officials noted uncertainty because the state’s current authorization expires June 30, leaving only a short window for the tax freeze to take effect. Despite the expected reduction in municipal roadway funding, council members supported the measure, citing the potential benefit to residents as gas prices remain elevated. The action comes alongside a separate emergency order from Beshear that freezes the statewide gas tax rate, preventing an increase in July.
Read more about the tax break here.
Highland Heights residents create petition to remove cement barriers on Alexandria Way
A group of Highland Heights residents and business owners is urging the city to remove three landscaped concrete barriers on Alexandria Way, arguing that they restrict traffic flow, reduce accessibility and create challenges for nearby businesses. Resident Bonnie Pickett presented a petition with 63 signatures to city council, claiming the barriers make it difficult for commercial trucks to access adjacent properties and contribute to traffic congestion. City Administrator Michael Giffen said the barriers were installed as part of a beautification effort intended to create an attractive buffer between business districts and residential areas, not to disrupt traffic. While acknowledging the barriers have become controversial, Giffen noted that the city has already invested money in the project and would need to evaluate the costs of removal. Pickett said she is open to further discussion and mindful of taxpayer expenses but wants the city to examine the barriers’ impact and consider restoring full roadway access. The issue is expected to remain under discussion at future council meetings.
Read more about the petition here.
Drees’ 224-unit Hebron townhome project advances in rezoning process
Drees Homes is seeking approval to build a 224-unit townhome community on 37 acres along North Bend Road in Hebron, but must first obtain a rezoning from Boone County Fiscal Court to change the property’s designation from Suburban Residential Two to Suburban Residential Three. The proposed development would feature two-story condominium buildings, garages, HOA-maintained amenities such as a pool, clubhouse, walking trails and green space, with a density of about 6.1 units per acre—below the county’s maximum allowance. During a recent Boone County Planning Commission subcommittee meeting, officials addressed residents’ concerns about traffic and neighborhood impacts. Drees agreed to widen and reconstruct the entrance road and include deceleration lanes, while state transportation officials declined to support acceleration lanes or left-turn restrictions. In response to concerns from neighboring homeowners, the developer also increased setbacks to create at least a 50-foot buffer and committed to enhanced landscaping. The subcommittee voted to advance the proposal to the full planning commission with several conditions, including pedestrian connections, added buffering, owner-occupied units rather than rentals, and construction of amenities by the second phase of development. If recommended for approval, the final rezoning decision will rest with Boone County Fiscal Court.
Read more about the development here.
Erlanger mayor defends memo saying councilmember instills fear in staff
A lengthy and contentious Erlanger City Council meeting focused on Mayor Jessica Fette’s defense of a memo accusing Councilwoman Jennifer Jasper-Lucas of creating a hostile work environment through excessive information requests, direct communications with city staff and involvement in administrative matters that city leadership argues fall outside a council member’s authority. Fette said multiple employees reported disruptions to daily operations, declining morale and concerns about workplace professionalism, while Jasper-Lucas strongly disputed the allegations, arguing that requesting information and asking questions on behalf of residents is a core part of her elected role and legislative oversight responsibilities. The dispute centers on Fette’s directive requiring Jasper-Lucas to route inquiries through city leadership rather than contacting staff directly, a policy the mayor says protects employees and maintains efficiency but which Jasper-Lucas contends limits transparency and her ability to serve constituents. Other council members criticized aspects of the mayor’s handling of the situation, and the debate highlighted broader tensions over the division of power between the executive and legislative branches in Erlanger’s mayor-council form of government. The discussion ended without any formal action, leaving council members divided over whether the memo was necessary leadership or an inappropriate restriction on an elected official.
Read more about the memo here.
Check out which roads Covington is planning to resurface next
Covington is preparing to approve three road resurfacing contracts covering numerous streets across the city, with work expected to be completed by early November, weather permitting. The projects will be funded through a combination of federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and the city’s infrastructure fund, with Riegler Blacktop winning the CDBG-funded contract at approximately $328,000 and Eaton Asphalt securing two infrastructure-funded contracts totaling about $1.3 million. Public Works Director Bill Matteoli said residents will receive mailed notices and see posted signs before construction begins. City officials determine resurfacing priorities using road condition data collected through the iWorQ assessment system and are beginning to use a new infrastructure management platform, Infrahub, which includes AI tools designed to help plan long-term pavement improvements. Commissioners praised the geographic spread of the projects, while officials encouraged residents to report road issues through the city’s online system and noted that many road complaints actually involve state-maintained highways rather than city streets.
Read more about the roads here.
Florence approves second Planet Fitness to account for growing demand
Florence City Council has unanimously approved plans for a second Planet Fitness location, authorizing Midwest Fitness Partners to build a two-story, 33,000-square-foot gym on a 3.9-acre site near Richmond Road and Wetherington Boulevard. The new facility, located less than two miles from the busy Mall Road Planet Fitness, is expected to better serve the rapidly growing Union and southern Florence areas while helping ease demand at the existing gym. The project will be built on a currently vacant field and includes several conditions related to signage, architectural design, landscaping and pedestrian connectivity, including a sidewalk connection to Cavalry Drive. The gym will feature a 223-space parking lot—well above the city’s standard maximum—to accommodate expected usage. City officials and planners supported the proposal, citing strong demand for the fitness center and its convenient location for residents in the surrounding area.
Read more about the Planet Fitness here.
Covington to seek federal funding to build EV charging stations
Covington plans to pursue up to $600,000 in federal funding to design and install new electric vehicle charging stations at public parking facilities across the city. The funding, administered through the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, would support a $100,000 design phase and a $500,000 installation phase. Proposed charging locations include the River Center Garage, the Midtown Garage near the library, and the Pershing Lot in MainStrasse, with the latter two sites expected to feature fast chargers capable of recharging vehicles in about 30 minutes. City officials said the goal is to spread charging infrastructure throughout Covington to support EV owners, attract visitors and benefit local businesses. Users would pay any charging and parking fees, and implementation is expected to take six to 12 months if funding is approved. Commissioners voiced support for the project, noting the current shortage of public charging options and the growing demand for EV infrastructure.
Read more about the EV charging stations here.
Fort Thomas approves city budget, amends prior year’s spending plan
The Fort Thomas City Council has approved its 2026–27 fiscal year budget, which projects $26.57 million in total revenues and $30.5 million in total expenditures across all funds, supported by a carryover balance of approximately $12.65 million. The general fund includes $19.28 million in revenue and $22.93 million in spending, with major expenditures allocated to police ($6.08 million), fire ($4.33 million), general administration ($2.05 million), recreation ($1.33 million), capital projects ($3.8 million) and $120,000 in Grow Grants. Council also approved an amendment to the current fiscal year budget, increasing revenues from $20.69 million to $23.2 million due largely to higher-than-expected license and permit revenues. During public comment, arts advocate Caileen Tallant-Adams criticized the city’s decision to withhold funding from the Merchants & Music Festival, while Mayor Andy Ellison said results from an ongoing forensic audit examining a $322,000 accounting discrepancy are expected within weeks, noting officials currently believe the issue stemmed from poor bookkeeping rather than fraud.
Read more about the budget here.
Decision on e‑bike sidewalk ban delayed in Fort Thomas
Fort Thomas City Council has postponed further discussion of a proposed ordinance that would ban electric bikes and high-speed scooters from city sidewalks because several council members were absent from the June 15 meeting. Police Chief Casey Kilgore said the issue is complicated, noting the need to balance public safety with mobility for the city’s roughly 4,000 school-aged children who use sidewalks to travel. The proposal, which has undergone two readings since April, was prompted in part by incidents involving pedestrians being struck by riders, but council members have acknowledged there is no simple solution. After revisiting the issue earlier this month, leaders decided additional work is needed before moving forward, and discussions are now expected to resume at the council’s next meeting on July 20.
Read more about the e-bike sidewalk ban delay here.
Newport Police to send largest group yet to academy
The Newport Police Department swore in five new recruits—Gannon Torres, William Stine, Nicholas Baldwin, Caleb Smith and Noah Curry—on June 15, marking what Police Chief Chris Fangman called the largest police academy class in his nearly 23-year career. The expansion comes as Newport continues to grow and develop, prompting the city to invest in increasing its police force. Fangman emphasized the department’s rigorous hiring process, competitive pay and benefits, and commitment to recruiting high-quality candidates from diverse backgrounds. The recruits bring a range of experiences, including military service, advanced degrees, vocational training and community involvement, and will undergo six months of academy training followed by four months of field training. Family members participated in the ceremony by pinning badges on the recruits, while city officials praised the department’s strong sense of camaraderie and support among officers as the newest members begin their careers in law enforcement.
Read more about the police academy here.
What’s happening this week in NKY government?
Cold Spring City Council meeting: Monday, June 22
The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. at 5694 E. Alexandria Pike.
What you need to know: The city will discuss approval of its annual budget.
The agenda can be found here.
Crescent Springs City Council: Monday, June 22
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 739 Buttermilk Pike.
What you need to know: The city will discuss adopting its annual budget.
The agenda can be found here.
Wilder Planning and Zoning meeting: Monday, June 22
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at 520 Licking Pike.
What you need to know: The planning and zoning commission will discuss stage one and stage two development plan approval for Bobby Mackey’s.
Park Hills City Council meeting: Monday, June 22
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 1106 Amsterdam Road.
The agenda can be found here.
Ludlow City Council Special meeting: Monday, June 22
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 51 Elm St.
What you need to know: The city will discuss the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget.
The agenda can be found here.
Covington Commission Caucus meeting: Tuesday, June 23
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 20 West Pike Street.
The agenda can be found here.
Florence City Council meeting: Tuesday, June 23
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 8100 Ewing Blvd.
The agenda can be found here.
Newport City Commission special meeting: Tuesday, June 23
The meeting starts at 4:30 p.m. at 998 Monmouth St.
What you need to know: The city will discuss approval of its budget.
The agenda can be found here.
Ludlow City Council meeting: Thursday, June 25
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 51 Elm St.
