This week at NKY government meetings, Fort Mitchell will discuss restricting e-bikes on its city sidewalks, while Newport, Independence and Cold Spring will discuss their new 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?
Ludlow presents three tax rate options on first reading
At its Sept. 10 meeting, Ludlow City Council heard the first reading of three possible property tax rates for fiscal year 2026-27. Mayor Sarah Thompson presented options ranging from the compensating rate of 50.1 cents per $100 of assessed real property value to rates that would allow the city to collect 2% or 4% more revenue, at 51.1 cents and 52.1 cents per $100, respectively. Rates for personal and mixed property would range from $1.519 to $1.579 per $100 of assessed value. Thompson said she placed all three options on the agenda so council could discuss and deliberate over the tax rate publicly in accordance with the Kentucky Open Meetings Act. The city will hold a public hearing on the proposed tax rates at 7 p.m., publicly discuss and deliberate on the tax rate on Sept. 24 at the Ludlow Municipal Center.
Read more about the three tax options here.Â
Kenton County votes to repeal and replace ethics policies
Kenton County Fiscal Court approved a rewrite of the county’s ethics code, replacing rules that dated to 1994. The changes reduce the Ethics Commission from five members to three, narrow financial disclosure and nepotism requirements, add a one-year deadline for complaints and generally close ethics hearings unless the accused requests a public hearing. County officials said the changes are intended to streamline the process and align Kenton County’s rules with neighboring counties.
Read more about the ethics policies here.Â
Taylor Mill to hold public meeting for new pickleball court in Pride Park
Taylor Mill City Commission selected a location for new pickleball courts at Pride Park and scheduled a public hearing on the park’s renovation project for Sept. 28. The courts will be built between the parking lots near the existing shelter, a location officials said would reduce grading and maintenance concerns while allowing for future expansion. The project also includes repaving walking paths and potentially adding a water fountain. The city plans to seek a Land and Water Conservation grant, with $125,000 from the city and $125,000 in federal funding.
Read more about the pickle ball courts here.Â
Wilder proposes higher tax rate, triggers public hearing
Wilder City Council voted 4-1 on first reading to adopt the compensating plus 4% property tax rate for real and tangible property, which would allow the city to collect additional revenue for the coming year. Officials said the revenue would help support city services and competitive employee pay, while Councilmember Jim Profitt opposed the increase, arguing the city could absorb the difference. The proposal requires a public hearing and final vote at a special meeting Sept. 28.
Read more about the proposed tax rate here.
Jot India, Scramblers to join Union Promenade
Union Promenade is nearing full occupancy as Jot India and Scramblers prepare to open locations in the nearly $150 million mixed-use development along U.S. 42. Jot India is expected to open by the end of the year, while Scramblers, which would be the chain’s first Kentucky location, is targeting a December opening in the former By Golly’s space. Two restaurant spaces would remain available, including the former Works Pizza location, where leasing agents are targeting a sushi restaurant, and a 2,200-square-foot space next to El Asadero.
Read more about the new restaurants here.Â
Bellevue suspends use of Flock cameras
Bellevue City Council unanimously voted to suspend use of the city’s Flock cameras and disable them for the remainder of its two-year, $43,000 contract while officials investigate the cost of removing them. The decision follows moves by Independence, Erlanger and Newport to end their Flock camera programs.Â
Read more about the Flock cameras here.
What could the old Brass Ass, Brass Bull become? Newport offers a glimpse
Newport is preparing to seek redevelopment proposals for the nine former Brass Ass and Brass Bull properties it purchased for $3.8 million this summer. The city plans to keep its request broad, allowing developers to propose anything from reuse of existing buildings to larger residential or hotel development, while potentially preserving historic facades and neon signs. Officials said the Brass Bull and Huddle’s properties could be candidates for demolition, though any demolition would require additional review. The city ultimately plans to sell the properties, with an actual redevelopment proposal likely to come before officials sometime within the next year.
Read more about the properties here.Â
Dayton increases property tax rate due to rising costs
Dayton City Council approved a higher property tax rate of 42.1 cents per $100 of assessed value for fiscal year 2026-27, taking the compensating rate plus a 4% increase after adopting lower rates the previous two years. City Administrator Jay Fossett said the additional revenue is needed to keep pace with rising costs and inflation as Dayton also adjusts to the loss of federal American Rescue Plan funding and a smaller carryover in its budget.
Read more about the tax rate here.Â
Kenton County approves $14.4M first construction phase for ‘Fox Ridge Park’
Kenton County Fiscal Court approved a $14.45 million first-phase construction contract for Fox Ridge Park, allowing work to begin Sept. 14 on the 225-acre former Fox Run Golf Course property. Plans include more than 20 miles of trails, a splash pad, climbing towers, mountain bike trails, a zip-line course, an accessible tree canopy walk and other amenities, while about 70% of the property will remain natural. Officials expect the park to open in about two years.
Read more about the new park here.Â
Elsmere Fire Chief explains new camera at Main Street railroad crossing
Elsmere firefighters will use a live webcam to monitor the Main Street railroad crossing and avoid delays when responding to emergencies. The city pursued the camera after the Garvey Bridge weight limit was reduced from 27 tons to 13 tons, preventing some fire trucks from using the bridge and forcing crews onto routes that can be blocked by trains. The live feed will allow firefighters to check the crossing before choosing a route.
Read more about the railroad crossing here.
Covington approves Axon contract with caveats
Covington approved a contract with Axon Enterprises for police technology after making several changes in response to public concerns. The revised agreement removes automatic license plate readers, limits the contract to one year with annual renewal options, adds restrictions and reporting requirements for AI and other technology, prohibits sharing data to train Axon’s AI models and requires an online portal tracking police drone use. The commission unanimously approved the amended contract following more than four hours of public discussion.
Read more about the Axon contract here.
Silver Grove pushes back e-bike ordinance for further discussion
Silver Grove City Council postponed a vote on a proposed e-bike ordinance after residents and council members raised questions about where minors could ride and how violations should be punished. The current proposal restricts minors from riding motorized vehicles on Mary Ingles Highway and 4 Mile Road and includes escalating fines and vehicle confiscation for violations. Council will revisit the ordinance at a special meeting Sept. 17.
Read more about the e-bike discussion here.Â
What’s happening this week in NKY government?
Newport Board of Commission meeting: Monday, Sept. 14
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at 998 Monmouth St.
What you need to know: The city will discuss its 2026-2027 tax rates.
The agenda can be found here.
Independence City Council meeting: Monday, Sept. 14
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 5409 Madison Pike.
What you need to know: The city will discuss its 2026-2027 tax rates.
The agenda can be found here.Â
Cold Spring City Council special meeting: Monday, Sept. 14
The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. at 5694 E. Alexandria Pike.
What you need to know: The city will discuss its 2026-2027 tax rates.
The agenda can be found here.Â
Fort Mitchell City Council meeting: Monday, Sept. 14
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at 2355 Dixie Highway.
What you need to know: The city will hold a first reading regarding the regulations of e-bikes on city sidewalks.Â
The agenda can be found here.Â
Park Hills City Council meeting: Monday, Sept. 14
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 1106 Amsterdam Road.
The agenda can be found here.Â
Covington Commission caucus meeting: Tuesday, Sept. 15
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 20 West Pike St.Â
The agenda can be found here.
Florence City Council caucus meeting: Tuesday, Sept. 15
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 8100 Ewing Blvd.Â
The agenda can be found here.Â
Campbell County Fiscal Court meeting: Wednesday, Sept. 16
The meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. at 1098 Monmouth St. in Newport.
The agenda can be found here.Â
Southgate City Council meeting: Wednesday, Sept. 16
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at 122 Electric Ave.Â
Villa Hills City Council meeting: Wednesday, Sept. 16
The meeting starts at 6:30 at 719 Rodgers Road.Â
Alexandria City Council meeting: Thursday, Sept. 17
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 8236 West Main St.
The agenda can be found here.
