This week, in NKY government meetings, Newport will discuss a two-way study for Monmouth Street, and Campbell County Schools will talk about the Campbell County Middle School phase two renovation.
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?
Effort to restrict large trucks on KY Route 547 gains momentum
Efforts to ban tractor-trailers on Kentucky Route 547, also known as Four Mile and Riley roads, are gaining momentum in Campbell County, with recent resolutions passed by the Campbell County Fiscal Court, the city of Alexandria, and the city of Silver Grove. The push, led by Camp Springs residents Mark Muench and Tom Ramler, stems from safety concerns about large trucks crossing the yellow line on the narrow, winding roadway—originally built in 1850 for horse and wagon travel. The resolutions request that the state transportation cabinet and the governor’s office prohibit trucks of “increased dimension” from using the route, except for local deliveries. The next step includes gathering letters of support from state legislators and submitting a formal petition to the governor. If approved, signage would be installed to enforce the ban.
Read more about the restriction
effort here
.
Fort Wright may be getting a new park with creek access
Fort Wright Council Member Margie Witt is proposing the creation of a small park on city-owned land along Banklick Creek, located behind the TANK parking lot. At the July 16 council meeting, Witt shared her vision for turning the .67-acre wooded area—already featuring some trails—into a public “pocket park” that would give residents rare local access to a water feature. Inspired in part by outreach from the Banklick Watershed Council, Witt emphasized the mental health and community benefits of “blue space” like creeks and rivers. The next steps include gauging public interest and conducting a land survey, with Mayor Dave Hatter agreeing to include the idea in the city’s next Parks Master Plan discussion.
Read more about the
park here
.
Highland Heights’ pickleball courts, nature trail projects now underway
Highland Heights has begun construction on a new nature trail and pickleball courts as part of a larger greenspace renovation project near the city building campus, with completion expected this fall. City Administrator Michael Giffen said the goal is to create a central gathering space for residents, improve connectivity, and provide amenities that appeal to the city’s diverse population. The upgrades mark the first phase of a multi-phase plan to enhance the area and introduce more events and activities for community engagement.
Read more about the
project here
.
Erlanger considers changes to zoning for manufactured homes
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Erlanger is preparing to update its zoning regulations following the passage of House Bill 160, a new state law that prohibits local governments from treating manufactured homes differently than traditional single-family homes. At a July 15 meeting, Andy Videkovich, Director of Planning for Planning and Development Services of Kenton County, explained that while cities can still enforce design and appearance standards, they can no longer ban qualified manufactured homes—factory-built structures assembled on-site—based solely on their construction type. Erlanger already permits such homes but may need to revise parts of its zoning code to ensure full compliance before the law takes effect on July 1, 2026.
Read more about the zoning for manufactured
homes here
.
Florence proceeds with foreclosure on neglected property
The City of Florence is moving forward with foreclosure on a severely neglected property at 37 Goodridge Avenue after it accumulated 102 code violations and over $39,000 in liens and fines over the past two years. At a July 8 public hearing, Florence City Council unanimously approved a recommendation from the code enforcement board to pursue civil action against the unresponsive property owner, who failed to attend the hearing or respond to citations. City officials presented evidence of chronic violations, including overgrown grass, trash, and discarded appliances, which neighbors say have created health and safety hazards and dragged down nearby property values. Despite attempts by code enforcement to resolve the issue, including multiple notices and clean-up efforts, the property remained in serious violation, prompting the city to authorize foreclosure and seek recovery of its costs through legal action.
Read more about the
foreclosure here
.
Alexandria Walmart to get on-site fuel center
Alexandria’s Walmart, located at 6711 East Alexandria Pike, is set to add a fuel station after the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved the project on July 15. The new station—likely branded under a name like Murphy, which is commonly used by Walmart—will feature eight fuel dispensers with 16 pumps, a small convenience store, and parking on 1.24 acres in the store’s underused north parking lot. The project does not require any zoning changes and fits within the city’s current and future commercial land use plans. Traffic flow improvements and light timing adjustments along the US 27 corridor are also in progress to support the development. If all goes smoothly, construction could begin by year’s end, with a typical build time of about 12 months.
Read more about the fuel
center here
.
Covington approves financing for mixed-use complex at CCR site
The Covington Board of Commissioners has approved up to $75 million in industrial revenue bonds (IRBs) to help finance a mixed-use development on the site of the former IRS building as part of the Central Riverfront Development. The bonds, requested by CCR-MN Developers—a partnership including Silverman & Co., Messer Construction, and KZF Design—will primarily fund a structured parking facility for the project, which faced rising costs due to labor and material price increases. The 20-year IRB agreement includes a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) arrangement where the developer will pay 60% of the real property taxes during the bond term. The development will feature 277 market-rate apartments, 7,700 square feet of retail space, and a 113-space parking structure, with total investment estimated at $67.2 million. The land will be sold to the developer for $2.6 million through a combination of upfront and installment payments.
Read more about the mixed-use
development here
.
Covington names Sharmili Reddy as new city manager
Sharmili Reddy, the current executive director of Kenton County Planning and Development Services and former Fort Mitchell city administrator, has been named Covington’s new city manager—the first woman and first woman of color to hold the role. She will begin on August 19, succeeding Ken Smith following his resignation. Praised for her leadership and regional planning expertise, Reddy holds a master’s in city planning and brings experience managing public services across Kenton County. Her appointment comes as Covington prepares to transition to a mayor-council form of government in 2027, though her contract allows her to remain in an administrative role if the city chooses to maintain it.
Read more about Sharmili
Reddy here
.
Fort Mitchell purchases land near General Ormsby Mitchell Park
The City of Fort Mitchell is purchasing a property at 251 Grandview Drive, adjacent to General Ormsby Mitchell Park, with plans to expand its greenspace. The $330,000 purchase from Richard and Marilyn Oehler was a rare opportunity that recently arose, according to City Administrator Edwin King. While the house on the property will be demolished, future uses for the land—such as a possible community center—may be considered. Regardless of its final use, the city plans to honor the Oehler family with a commemorative plaque for their contribution.
Read more about the land
purchase here
.
Beechwood parents speak out: ‘I trusted my children to you, and you absolutely failed’
At a Beechwood Board of Education meeting on July 8, multiple parents and community members called on the school district to take responsibility for its past handling of sexual misconduct allegations involving a teacher and student in 2020. Teacher and parent Molly Seifert shared her own experience of being groomed by a teacher decades ago and urged the district to admit past failures, support victims, and improve transparency. The meeting followed news that former Superintendent Mike Stacy was permanently barred from renewing his certification for failing to report information about the 2020 incident. Several speakers criticized the district’s lack of communication with families and called for accountability, apologies, and meaningful reforms to protect students. New Superintendent Justin Kaiser pledged to prioritize communication and transparency moving forward.
Read more about what happened at the Beechwood Board of Education
meeting here
.
Here’s what’s happening in NKY government this week
Campbell County Board of Education:
Monday, July 21
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 51 Orchard Lane in Alexandria.
What you need to know:
The board of education plans to discuss the Campbell County Middle School phase two renovation.
The agenda can be
found here
.
Newport Board of Commissioners:
Monday, July 21
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at 998 Monmouth St.
What you need to know:
The commission will discuss an ordinance creating general regulations regarding establishing guidelines for the approval, placement and design of murals. Read more about the
guidelines here
.
The commission will also discuss a contract for professional services with Hub and Weber, Architects, regarding design concept and project visioning within the city.
Newport will discuss entering into an executive professional services agreement with Corporex Development and Construction Management, LLC, regarding James Taylor Park Improvements.
The city will talk about entering into a contract with TEC Engineering, Inc., regarding a two-way study for Monmouth Street.
The agenda can be
found here
.
Union City Commission:
Monday, July 21
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at 1843 Bristow Drive.
The agenda can be
found here
when it is published.
Fort Thomas City Council:
Monday, July 21
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 130 N Fort Thomas Ave.
The agenda can be
found here
when it is published.
Boone County Fiscal Court:
Tuesday, July 22
The meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. at 2950 Washington St.
The agenda can be
found here
.
Florence City Council meeting:
Tuesday, July 22
The meeting starts at6 p.m. at 8100 Ewing Blvd.
The agenda can be
found here
when it is published.
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