The Kenton County Fiscal Court unanimously voted July 15, to fire Animal Services Director Kelly Sauer and Canine Behavior Coordinator Trevor Diaz Waggoner. Whitney Quint was appointed interim director the same day.

Commissioners did not publicly state a reason for the terminations, according to LINK nky's weekly government recap published July 20. The firings came roughly eight months after a pit bull died in the care of a private caretaker following an animal control visit that drew public criticism of the shelter. Officials have not publicly connected the two events, and no allegations against the shelter were substantiated.

License plate reader vote postponed again

Community members filled the fiscal court meeting on July 15 to oppose a proposal to install automatic license plate readers in unincorporated Kenton County. The court postponed a vote on the issue for the second time.

"I want humans watching over us, not AI," one resident said at the meeting, according to LINK nky.

Kenton County Police Chief Michael "Spike" Jones has said the department wants to place six cameras — one at the county jail and five at park entrances — to deter crime and protect children. Residents and local political candidates from across the political spectrum raised privacy, surveillance, and data security concerns.

Commissioners expressed mixed views, with several urging caution. The fiscal court said it will revisit the proposal at a future meeting. No date has been announced.