Kenton County budget includes historic investments

The Kenton County Fiscal Court unanimously approved its budget for the 2025–26 fiscal year. The $422 million budget includes major investments in public safety, long-term economic growth and public amenities.

The budget prioritizes the continued delivery of high-quality public services. Strategic funding is allocated to preserve and enhance the County’s existing assets, ensuring they remain accessible, functional and responsive to residents’ needs.

“This budget reflects our commitment to building a stronger Kenton County,” Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann said. “We’re investing in what matters — safe communities, strong infrastructure, and economic growth — while continuing to deliver on our promise to lessen the tax burden on residents.”

Major investments across the County

Key investments from the budget include:

• $20 million in bonded funding to begin the first phase of the new Kenton County Park in Independence — the most significant single investment ever made in the County’s parks system. These funds will allow the County team to finalize the project’s scope and begin construction.
• $1.9 million in system-wide parks improvements, including: New playground equipment and pickleball courts at Middleton-Mills Park; a new shelter house at Pioneer Park; and funding plan to repair and seal roads throughout the park system
• Funding to hire four police navigators for the Kenton County Police Department, supported by opioid settlement funds. The new positions, developed in partnership with several cities, will help officers respond more effectively to mental health and addiction-related calls. 
• $115 million in pass-through state funding to support the Northern Kentucky Port Authority’s construction of the Biomedical Center for Excellence in Covington, which will house the University of Kentucky’s College of Medicine– Northern Kentucky campus and Northern Kentucky University’s Salmon P. Chase College of Law. This marks a generational investment in education and workforce development.

Shifting the tax burden off residents

This year’s budget also reflects a significant milestone in the County’s long-term fiscal strategy: Kenton County projects to collect more revenue from occupational taxes than from property taxes. This shift aligns with the Fiscal Court’s stated goal of reducing the financial burden on residents while strengthening the County’s economic base.

In fact, the budget anticipates the Court will once again lower the County’s property tax rate. The ability to do so is partially the result of property value increases in Kenton County; however, the Court is taking the additional step of reducing its rate to below the compensating rate for the fourth consecutive year. This means the Court anticipates collecting less revenue from property taxes compared to FY2025.

Currently, the County’s property tax rate sits at its lowest level since 1983.

“This is what responsible growth looks like,” said Judge Knochelmann. “We’re delivering historic investments while keeping our promise to protect taxpayers. That’s a win for every Kenton County resident.”