By Patricia A. Scheyer
NKyTribune reporter
CAMPBELL COUNTY
County Administrator Matt Elberfeld read a letter at the recent Campbell County Fiscal Court meeting from resident Derek Myers, who asked the commissioners to consider naming the new Public Safety building after Judge Executive Steve Pendery. He wanted to make sure it could be done before the Judge left office because he said Pendery has done so much in his tenure for the people of Campbell County.
An ordinance had a second reading which changes the zoning on a 6.27 tract of land at 944 Clay Ridge road from A-1, or agricultural one, to R-3, or residential 3. Commissioners passed the ordinance. Commissioner Geoff Besecker said he found it fitting that the building which was a school will now serve a different generation, an older generation, whereas it used to serve youngsters. He said it is an iconic building.
Another second reading corrected a typo in the dates when heat was required in the code of ordinances for the Property Maintenance code.
A resolution passed allowing the Judge to enter into a partnership agreement to co-sponsor an event at AJ Jolly Park with Brett Rutschman. He is the owner of Fresh Fest, an event that has been held at a few different locations within the county.
Two motions passed, each accepting the resignations of Steven Gessner as an Animal Control Officer, and Larisa Sims from the Port Authority Board of directors, and another motion passed which appoints Brandon Bray in Sims’ role at the Port Authority.
Another motion accepts the retirement of Office of Emergency Management Director
William Turner after 17 years of service.
Commissioners voted to enter into a contract with the Campbell County School District
to provide bus service for parochial students.
NEWPORT
Newport City Commissioners with just one item on the agenda. They voted to authorize City Manager John Hayden to execute a health care agreement with Custom Design Benefits to serve as the city’s third-party administrator. As a bigger picture, the city is partnering with the Jefferson Health Plan to meet the health insurance needs of the city’s employees, a plan that includes using Teladoc for on-demand medical services, and Principal for dental, life and voluntary vision insurance.
Hayden explained that the city does this every year, always trying to get the best coverage for the best price for the employees. Commissioners asked a lot of questions, and received answers, so they were able to vote yes on the order.
TAYLOR MILL
Taylor Mill Commissioners held their monthly caucus meeting Wednesday, and the top area of discussion was the School Resource Officers for Scott and Woodland schools. In the past, the city has provided the officers, but last year the state issued an unfunded mandate that the school district had to provide the officers. Mayor Dan Bell has always said they will help, but he doesn’t think the city should handle the entire cost. Commissioners agree, and they would like more information.
When the city handled the situation, they had two officers who won awards for being
such good SRO’s, but the Kenton County Superintendent seems reluctant to step up for the school children.
City Administrator Devon Golden told commissioners she wants to see if she can reopen
talks with the Superintendent, and hopefully they can work out a deal so the children can have an SRO.
CAO Golden updated the commissioners on the progress on Vincent Drive, saying that the completion date should be next July, weather permitting. She also told them that the utilities that were supposed to be moved on Holdsbranch Road were moved.
The generator that was ordered for the firehouse has been backordered and Golden will meet with Chief Bryan Lynch to see if he has a plan B if it doesn’t come in soon.
The HVAC that will be installed at the community center is on track for completion.
Commissioners discussed appointments to the Board of Adjustment, since Stu Bowns resigned, and Janice Foster will not serve another term. CAO Golden has interviewed replacements, and the commissioners will be able to vote on new people at the next meeting.