This week at NKY government meetings, Erlanger will discuss mayor and council pay raises, while Independence and Elsmere will discuss 2026-27 tax rates.
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 in NKY government last week?
Boone County cuts property tax rates as property values rise
Boone County Fiscal Court unanimously lowered its property tax rates as property values continued to rise, reducing the real property rate from 8.5 to 8.2 cents per $100 of assessed value and the tangible personal property rate from 9.5 to 9.3 cents, while keeping the motor vehicle rate at 14.2 cents. The county’s total property assessments grew 6.58% to about $25.8 billion, including nearly $350 million in new property, and officials estimate the new rates will generate about $17.5 million in revenue. County Administrator Matthew Webster said Boone County’s real property tax rate has declined each year since 2014, when it stood at 10.5 cents. Officials also emphasized that the county rate represents only one portion of residents’ overall property tax bills, which include separate rates from school districts and other taxing jurisdictions.
Read more about the property tax rates here.
No vote on Covington Axon contract, city to host public forum
Covington commissioners delayed action on a proposed 10-year, roughly $6 million contract with Axon Enterprises following residents’ concerns about privacy, surveillance, data security, artificial intelligence and the cost and length of the agreement. The contract would continue existing police body-camera and evidence-management services while adding equipment and technology including 117 body cameras, 117 tasers, vehicle-mounted automatic license plate readers, AI software subscriptions and a police drone. Police Chief Justin Wietholter said roughly half the contract’s cost is tied to maintaining technology the department already uses, while Mayor Ron Washington proposed additional safeguards governing privacy, data access, retention, auditing and transparency. After commissioners voted 3-2 to table the matter and then spent considerable time debating what that motion meant procedurally, no vote on the contract ultimately occurred. The city instead plans to hold a public forum on the proposal within about 30 days before determining how to proceed.
Read more about the Axon contract here.
Athena Hospitality proposes $100M mixed-use hotel development in Florence
Florence-based Athena Hospitality Group is proposing a roughly $100 million mixed-use development on nearly 15 acres along Houston Road that would include two hotels, a sit-down restaurant and a new corporate headquarters. Plans call for a Residence Inn extended-stay hotel, a full-service Hilton or Marriott with conference space, a 14,000-square-foot restaurant and a two-story office building. Athena is seeking to rezone the property from commercial to office, and a Boone County Planning Commission subcommittee recommended approval with conditions addressing landscaping, buffers, road connectivity and tree preservation. The full planning commission is scheduled to consider the proposal Sept. 7, with Florence City Council holding final authority. Florence is also considering an industrial revenue bond incentive package that would provide property tax savings for the development while requiring PILOT payments to the city, Boone County and Boone County Schools.
Read more about the hotel development here.
Crescent Springs Council reviews Ireland Avenue apartment development
Crescent Springs City Council is reviewing a revised proposal for a 17-unit apartment development on roughly one acre at Ireland Avenue and Harris Street following previous opposition and litigation over the property. The new plan calls for two apartment buildings with resident access from Ireland Avenue rather than Harris Street. During council discussions, nearby residents raised concerns about construction traffic, mud and debris, drainage, maintenance of a retention pond, landscaping and whether tree screening would adequately buffer neighboring properties. The developer said the project would comply with Sanitation District 1 requirements and that its landscaping plan was designed to exceed zoning standards. Council members are continuing to review potential development conditions before the project moves forward, with the next council meeting scheduled for Sept. 28.
Read more about the development here.
Florence approves long-term lease for Boone County Clerk’s satellite office
Florence City Council unanimously approved a 30-year lease that will keep the Boone County Clerk’s satellite office on the Florence Government Center campus while moving it into a larger, freestanding building at 8020 Veterans Memorial Drive. The clerk will lease 9,500 square feet starting at $15 per square foot, or $11,875 per month, with a 5% increase every five years. The location provides direct public access and additional space for services including vehicle registration and titling, marriage licenses and notary services, while allowing the clerk to consolidate its elections department and securely store election equipment that had previously required rented space elsewhere. The clerk’s primary office and real estate and land-record operations will remain at the Boone County Administration Building in Burlington.
Read more about the office here.
Alexandria updates laws for e-bikes, e-scooters
Alexandria City Council adopted new regulations for e-bikes, electric scooters and other micromobility devices, establishing where they can be ridden and new safety requirements for riders. The rules allow bicycles, Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes and electric scooters on sidewalks unless otherwise posted, while faster Class 3 e-bikes are prohibited from sidewalks and limited to city-designated shared-use paths. Pedestrians have the right-of-way in shared public spaces, and riders must slow down, provide space when passing and dismount when conditions are too congested for safe riding. Riders 16 and younger must wear helmets, and certain headphone use is prohibited on roadways. City officials said the regulations are intended to give police tools to address unsafe behavior rather than target riders, with warnings available for some first violations and fines for subsequent offenses. Officials also expect to revisit the ordinance as the technology and its use evolve.
Read more about the updated laws here.
Key zoning committee advances polarizing luxury residential development project at Union, Florence border
A controversial proposal for a 340-unit luxury apartment development near Old Union Road and U.S. 42 at the Florence-Union border narrowly advanced after a Boone County Planning Commission subcommittee voted 3-2 to recommend the necessary zone change. Blue Ash-based Silverman & Co. is seeking to rezone nearly 33 acres for several three- and four-story apartment buildings with amenities including a clubhouse, pool, pickleball court and dog park. The project has drawn significant opposition from residents and Union officials, particularly over traffic congestion along the rapidly developing U.S. 42 corridor. Subcommittee members also questioned the development’s limited access and whether its traffic study adequately accounted for nearby growth, including Union Promenade and Boone County Schools’ new early childhood education center. The recommendation includes conditions addressing design standards, setbacks, buffering, streets and right-of-way for a potential Long Branch Road extension and will go before the full Boone County Planning Commission on Sept. 2.
Read more about the development here.
What’s happening this week in NKY government?
Independence City Council special meeting: Monday, Aug. 31
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 5409 Madison Pike in Independence.
What you need to know: Independence will discuss the proposed 2026-2027 tax rates.
The agenda can be found here.
Covington Commission Caucus meeting: Tuesday, Sept. 1
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 20 West Pike St. in Covington.
The agenda can be found here.
Elsmere City Council caucus meeting: Tuesday, Sept. 1
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at 3921 Dixie Highway.
What you need to know: Elsmere will discuss the proposed 2026-2027 tax rates.
The agenda can be found here.
Erlanger City Commission meeting: Tuesday, Sept. 1
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 505 Commonwealth Ave.
What you need to know: The city will discuss raising the mayor’s and council members’ pay.
The agenda can be found here.
Florence City Council caucus meeting: Tuesday, Sept. 1
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 8100 Ewing Blvd.
The agenda can be found here.
Campbell County Fiscal Court meeting: Wednesday, Sept. 2
The meeting starts at 9 a.m. at 8352 E Main St. in Alexandria.
The agenda can be found here.
Fort Wright City Council meeting: Wednesday, Sept. 2
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 409 Kyles Lane.
The agenda can be found here.
Kenton County Planning and Development meeting: Thursday, Sept. 3
The meeting starts at 6:15 p.m. at 1840 Simon Kenton Way, Suite 3400, Covington.
The agenda can be found here.
Alexandria City Council meeting: Thursday, Sept. 3
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 8236 West Main St.
The agenda can be found here.
