This week in NKY government meetings, the Boone County Planning Commission is considering a new Kroger in Walton.
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?
Covington government transition reaches major milestone with final report
Covington’s transition to a mayor-council form of government reached a major milestone Thursday as the city’s transition committee voted to send its final recommendations to the Board of Commissioners, though an addendum on appointed boards and commissions is still forthcoming. The board will review the recommendations and decide whether to adopt them into law before the end of the year, ahead of the new government structure taking effect in 2027. Approved by voters in 2024, the new system will shift greater executive authority to the mayor, making the position a full-time chief executive with expanded hiring and firing powers while retaining a city manager in a reduced administrative role. The committee has also recommended consolidating several city departments for efficiency, and commissioners will consider additional ordinance revisions in the coming months before finalizing the transition.
Read more about the government transition here.Â
Boone County to study whether street-legal UTVs should be allowed on county roads
Boone County Fiscal Court has directed staff to evaluate what it would take to allow street-legal utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) on certain county roads following a request from Commissioner Chet Hand. Hand emphasized he is not advocating for or against legalization but wants staff to review how neighboring counties, such as Grant County, have implemented ordinances under a 2025 Kentucky law that allows local governments to permit street-legal UTVs with restrictions. The review will examine potential safety measures, road and speed limitations, and other implementation options. During public comment, a resident voiced support, arguing the change could boost tourism and make local travel more convenient, while county officials agreed to study the issue and report back.
Read more about the UTV conversation here.
Covington grants easement to CCR developers in surprise vote
The Covington Board of Commissioners voted 4-1 Tuesday to approve an easement for the planned 270-unit mixed-use development on the Covington Central Riverfront site’s M and N blocks, allowing certain building features, underground utilities and overhangs to extend into the public right-of-way while maintaining at least five feet of sidewalk clearance. The request was added to the agenda at the last minute after city staff finalized the agreement and sought approval before the board’s July recess. Commissioner Tim Downing cast the lone dissenting vote, saying he had too little time to review the proposal and expressing concerns about its potential impact on walkability, while city officials described the easement as a standard agreement needed to keep the project moving forward.
Read more about the grant easement here.
Newport Police recognize officers, promote two, welcome new recruit
The Newport Board of Commissioners recognized numerous achievements within the Newport Police Department on Tuesday, honoring five officers with the peer-selected 110% Award, naming Sgt. Brian Waldorf the 2025 Officer of the Year and presenting Officer Patrick Reynolds with the Governor’s Impaired Driving Award. The commission also celebrated the promotions of Connor Bleser to sergeant and Adam Moeves to lieutenant, with Police Chief Chris Fangman highlighting the competitive nature of the promotion process. The department also welcomed Ryan Stevens as its newest recruit, joining a historic academy class of six officers and continuing his family’s law enforcement legacy as a second-generation police officer.
Read more about the Newport Police awards and hires here.Â
Covington passes fiscal year 2027 budget
The Covington Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the city’s fiscal year 2027 budget Tuesday, continuing efforts to stabilize the general fund after several years of deficits caused largely by pandemic-era declines in payroll tax revenue. The budget prioritizes employee cost-of-living raises and salary adjustments, infrastructure and facility maintenance, and includes $3.84 million for debt payments, including the payoff of 2016 bonds that will reduce future debt costs. It also allocates $5.2 million in remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds before the program ends, creates a new Department of External Affairs, and funds initiatives including a community paramedicine program, a South Covington dog park and police drones.
Read more about the budget here.Â
Boone County unveils transportation plan to guide growth through 2050
Boone County has updated its countywide transportation plan for the first time since 2017, shifting its focus from accommodating growth to managing the traffic and infrastructure demands created by continued population and job expansion. The 2025 plan uses updated traffic data, public input and revised priorities to guide transportation investments through 2050, emphasizing roadway safety, congestion relief, intersection improvements and expanded sidewalks, bike lanes and multiuse paths. Projects are organized into three implementation tiers, with most falling into the first two categories, and the Hebron/Burlington area identified as having the greatest transportation needs. County officials said the update reflects the reality that more than 75,000 people commute into and out of Boone County each day, placing increasing pressure on major corridors.
Read more about the transportation plan here.Â
Dust off your boots. New Bobby Mackey’s could reopen in a year
Wilder Planning and Zoning unanimously approved initial plans for a new Bobby Mackey’s honky-tonk on the site of the original nightclub, paving the way for construction of an 8,400-square-foot, single-story venue that could open in about a year. The redesigned building will sit farther from the road with improved access and separate parking areas for patrons and employees. While modernizing the property, the project will preserve fan-favorite features, including the mechanical bull and the infamous well tied to the venue’s paranormal lore, which will be displayed beneath a glass cover. Bobby Mackey’s has operated temporarily from Florence since the original building was demolished in December 2024.
Read more about Bobby Mackey’s reopening here.Â
What’s happening this week in NKY government?
Newport City Commission special meeting: Monday, June 29
The meeting starts at 4 p.m. at 998 Monmouth St.
What you need to know: The city will consider authorizing the issuance of up to $7,000,000 maximum aggregate principal amount taxable industrial building revenue bonds and taxable special obligation revenue bonds, to assist Urban Community Developers, Inc., to finance the acquisition, construction and equipping of an industrial building facility and related infrastructure improvements located within Newport.
Read more about the project here.
The agenda can be found here.
Ludlow City Council special meeting: Monday, June 29
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 51 Elm St.
What you need to know: The city will discuss the proposed budget for fiscal year 2026-2027.
The agenda can be found here.
Kenton County Fiscal Court meeting: Tuesday, June 30
The meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. at 1840 Simon Kenton Way in Covington.
What you need to know: The fiscal court will discuss a resolution regarding the Kenton County Site Readiness Initiative.
Read more about the initiative here.
The agenda can be found here.
Fort Wright City Council meeting: Wednesday, July 1
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 409 Kyles Lane.Â
The agenda can be found here.Â
Boone County Planning and Zoning Commission meeting: Wednesday, July 1Â
The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. at 2950 Washington St. in Burlington.Â
What you need to know: Kroger is requesting a zone change to allow the development of an approximate 99,000 square foot grocery, an approximate 7,565 square foot wine and spirits store, a fuel center, and an approximate 51,840 square foot multi-tenant retail/service building The area is approximately 20 acres located along the northeast side of Paddock Drive, between Richwood Road and Stirrup Lane.Â
The agenda can be found here.Â
