Summary
The Wilder City Council met September 8, 2026, approving the previous meeting minutes and hearing from Joshua Baker, a candidate for Kentucky State Senate District 24, and Lucas Glaser, a candidate for Wilder City Council. Council also promoted Jacob Nichols to firefighter paramedic and welcomed back Micky Collins, who was sworn in as a Wilder police officer. Council approved Ordinance 26-0901, updating police department policies for license plate readers and establishing standalone procedures for Golden, Green and Amber Alerts. The license plate reader policy was revised to require audits every 30 days, while the Green Alert applies to veterans considered at risk.
A major discussion focused on the city’s 2026 property tax rates. Officials explained that increased property assessments and approximately $84 million in new growth affected the calculations. Council approved the first reading of Ordinance 26-0902 using the compensating rate plus 4% for real and tangible property, with one council member voting against the measure. Officials said the higher rate would generate approximately $35,000 more than the compensating rate and help the city meet its budget needs and maintain competitive employee compensation. Because the rate exceeds the compensating rate, a public hearing and second reading were scheduled for a special meeting September 28, with the public hearing beginning at 6:15 p.m.
Council also gave first-reading approval to Ordinance 26-0903, adding Montford Street and Grovewood Street in the Overlook at Sunrise/Fisher development to the city’s street system and establishing speed limits, stop signs and parking restrictions. The streets include condominium buildings and single-family homes and will be maintained by the city. Officials reported that construction on single-family homes in the Fisher development is expected to begin soon.
Council gave first-reading approval to Ordinance 26-0904, authorizing financing of up to $1.15 million for the emergency replacement of the failed culvert beneath Bentwood Hills Drive. The project began after the city discovered in April that the existing culvert had rusted through and collapsed. The replacement uses large precast concrete sections, with some weighing up to 50,000 pounds. Officials estimated the work was 80–90% complete and expected final construction, utility work and paving to take another four to five weeks. The city expects $100,000 in assistance from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and approximately $300,000 in additional general-fund carryover, while the remaining costs will be financed over up to 10 years with no prepayment penalty. Council also proclaimed September 17–23 as Constitution Week and received an update that the city is pursuing delinquent property taxes, with payment arrangements already made in at least one case.
Department updates included plans for interior work at the future coffee shop, upcoming improvements to Country Drive, and efforts to clean up the large dirt pile near Johns Hill Road and Licking Pike. The Iron Center has applied for a conditional use permit for congregate housing at 530 Licking Pike. Police Chief Chad Martin reported the department passed its four-year reaccreditation, which helps maintain a lower liability insurance rating, and announced that the Northern Kentucky Peer Support Team received a $5,000 Kentucky Attorney General award. Upcoming events include the September 13 flag-raising ceremony, September 18–20 citywide yard sale, September 26 Touch a Truck, September 30 senior picnic and Medicare seminar, and an October 24 Trunk or Treat. Mayor Valerie Jones also announced that High Profile, the city’s medical marijuana facility, plans a ribbon cutting September 25. The meeting concluded with adjournment.
Disclaimer: This summary was generated using AI from the meeting transcript and is intended as a concise overview. It may not include every discussion, statement or action taken during the meeting.
