Elsmere elementary, middle and high school students learned about the workings of local governments in the city’s annual student council meeting on Feb. 10.
The long-running tradition sees students seated next to council members, city administrators, clerks and department heads and assuming their respective duties in a regular council meeting, which includes making motions, submitting reports, voting on and passing ordinances.
In 2025, the student council passed a resolution that opposed the centralized collection of local occupational fees and taxes. This year, the students unanimously voted to amend the Elsmere Zoning Code of Ordinances to include a new definition for qualified manufactured homes that would comply with Kentucky House Bill 160.
The compliance issue was first brought to the council at its January caucus meeting by a representative from Kenton County’s Planning and Development Services.
The students also unanimously voted to raise the payroll tax rate from 1.25% to 1.75%, effective July 1. The Elsmere City Council first discussed the possibility of raising the rate at their January caucus meeting, arguing it was due time for an increase as it had taken 20 years to raise the rate from 1% to 1.25%.
An informal dinner with pizza, cake and soft drinks was held for the students and their families prior to the meeting. In addition, each student received a gift bag and a certificate for their participation.
“This is one of the best nights that any council for a city could have, because we get to see all the young students in our district, we see all their possibilities and all their dreams,” said Councilmember Gloria Grubbs. “The students are always wonderful and I’m just really pleased to be a part of this.”