By Patricia A. Scheyer
NKyTribune reporter
FLORENCE
Five new fire employees were sworn in by Florence Mayor Julie Aubuchon at the regular Florence council meeting. Charles Woodring, Firefighter EMT, Stephen Combs, Firefighter EMT, Collin Crowley, Firefighter EMT, Kathryn Cheap, Paramedic, and Kaitlyn Walton, Paramedic, took the oath of office while their families looked on.
Mayor Aubuchon read a proclamation declaring July as Parks and Recreation month in the city.
The first reading of an ordinance was approved by council which is a concept development plan for an approximate 2.174 acre site at 7627 Ewing Boulevard to allow a small playground in the front yard to be fenced in. This is a special dispensation, and if the business, which helps autistic children, were to relocate in the future, the fence would have to be torn down.
Another first reading of an ordinance was approved by council allows a change in concept development plan for an approximate 1.7 acre area located between Tanner’s Gate Lane and Tanner’s Lane to allow for the development of a parking space for 21 box trucks, 21 semi-tractors and 50 passenger vehicles. Again, the conditions restrict this special change to be able to be transferred to the next owner of the property.
Six Municipal Orders passed which set up a Transportation Improvement District board of trustees, at staggered terms. Jim Henning and Tami Wilson were appointed for a four-year term, John Nugent was appointed for a three- year term, Michael Bova for a two-year term, and G. Kalea P. Holland for a one-year term. Thomas Szurlinsky was appointed as a non-voting member of the board for a four-year term. The Project Director of the project is Amy Stewart.
Two Ford Interceptor vehicles, surplused by the Police Department, will be donated to the Madison County Schools in Kentucky to be used by the School Resource Officers.
A resolution passed which authorized Mayor Aubuchon to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with the KYTC for reimbursement funding for the resurfacing of Hopeful Road and Sebree Drive in the amount of $482,000.
Council discussed the lease agreement with the Boone County Clerk’s office to the building next to the EPA building on Veteran’s Memorial Drive. The new space is 9500 square feet and is more ADA compliant. The agreement is based on a 20 year repayment plan and the lease is for 30 years.
Council also discussed legislation for bikes and scooters, as well as UTV’s and golf carts. They all agreed to have City Administrator Josh Hunt do an online survey to see what residents would like to see in the legislation. In the meantime, Boone County is looking at setting up legislation, also, and council would like the city’s legislation and that of the county to be at least similar if not identical. Residents should look to the website for the survey to be able to respond to it.
KENTON COUNTY
The Kenton County Fiscal Court presented the Dr. Jon Draud Pioneer Award to Karen Finan from OneNKY Alliance. Draud said that Finan has had a great impact on the community, and the award is well deserved. Finan said that she is humbled and proud to receive the award.
The Life Saving award was presented to Sergeant Daniel Preder for his actions on March 2, 2026, when a car hit his car head on just south of Wolf road, due to a patch of ice. Despite his injuries, Preder extricated himself and helped to pull the other driver out and administer life saving measures for the other driver. The Kentucky State Trooper who was at the scene said that if Preder and the bystanders hadn’t administered the measures the other driver might have died. Sergeant Preder was happy to receive the award but said he didn’t feel like a hero – he just did his job.
PGA Professional Tim Grebs gave an update on the Kenton County Golf Course, saying he has been here 60 days, and they have had a very good June and July.
A resolution passed which set the tax rate for the Kenton County Health Department at 2.30 cents per $100 of Valuation.
A resolution passed authorizing the issuance of not more than $250,000,000 to help finance the Airport Board in anticipation of the renovation of the Airport in the next couple of years.
Commissioners voted to pass a resolution for reimbursed funds from the state in the amount of $754,000 to work on four county roads.
Commissioners approved awarding the bid for replacement of the Menefee Road bridge to Sunesis Construction Company. A resident asked why the Public Works department did not award the contract to the lowest bid and was told that the company who submitted the lowest estimate was not qualified by the KYTC for bridges.