Crestview Hills homeowners will get their first look at the city's 2026 property tax rate when council takes up the opening reading of the annual tax ordinance on Aug. 13.

The meeting, according to the council agenda, begins at 7 p.m. at City Hall. It also includes final votes on two zoning ordinances that have been working through the process since July. One would allow window signs in the Institutional Zone, the district that includes Thomas More University. The other updates the city's Architectural Review Board rules.

Property tax rate: first reading

Ordinance 2026-08-01 introduces the 2026 property tax rate. The agenda does not list a specific dollar figure. The most recent confirmed rate, from 2024, was $0.151 per $100 of assessed valuation. The city's property tax page notes Crestview Hills "routinely falls to the bottom of the list of taxing entities in Northern Kentucky" for tax burden.

Under Kentucky's House Bill 44, a first reading is the opening step. The rate is not final until a second reading and vote at a future meeting. If the city proposes a rate that would generate more than 4% additional revenue from existing property, state law requires a public hearing before adoption.

Window signs near Thomas More

The window sign amendment, Ordinance 2026-07-02, would let buildings in the Institutional Zone display window signs covering up to 25% of total window area on a building wall. The adjacent BP-1 and BP-2 business park zones already allow the same signage.

City Administrator Alex Mattingly told the Kenton County Planning Commission on June 4 that the change corrected an oversight from the 2025 zoning ordinance review and responded to Thomas More University's interest in updated signage, though the university's specific plans are not yet determined.

The amendment has cleared every step unanimously. Council authorized the application in March. All 14 planning commission members present voted to approve it on June 4, and council gave it a first reading on July 9. Thursday's vote would make it final.

What else is on the agenda

Council will also consider a first reading on adopting the S-31 Supplement to the Code of Ordinances and a resolution amending a letter of credit with Republic Bank. Committee reports are also scheduled.

Mayor Paul Meier presides over the six-member council: William Dorsey, David Kramer, Mark Lehman, Tim McKinley, Larry Ruehl and Ed Wise.

The meeting is open to the public at Crestview Hills City Hall. Vote results will be confirmed when minutes are posted to the city website.