Starting Sept. 5, he’ll be one of the five officials doing the discussing and voting.

Hayden, a resident of the Historic Licking-Riverside neighborhood, was chosen by Mayor Joe Meyer and City Commissioners in a meeting Thursday evening to fill a vacancy on the Commission. Commissioner Tim Downing was unable to attend the meeting.

Hayden to fill vacancy on Commission

Professionally, Hayden spent 49 years in IT systems analysis and project management “spread over many industries and corporate forms.” He has a degree in economics from the University of Kentucky.

Since retiring to Covington in 2012, he has served on his neighborhood association’s governing board and has served on many boards and commissions, including the Covington Neighborhood Collaborative and the Devou Park Advisory Committee. He helped establish pollinator gardens around Covington as part of the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge, served on the 2019 “Bespoke” citizen task force that established the vision for a new future city hall, and was involved in the laborious creation of the Neighborhood Development Code (specifically as it relates to historic preservation) that refashioned the City’s approach to zoning and land use.

Steve Hayden has a degree in economics from the University of Kentucky. He lives in the Historic Licking-Riverside neighborhood. Since retiring to Covington in 2012, he has served on his neighborhood association’s governing board and on boards and commissions, including the Covington Neighborhood Collaborative and the Devou Park Advisory Committee.

Hayden to fill vacancy on Commission - Covington, KY

Steve Hayden worked for 49 years in information technology systems analysis and project management across various industries and types of companies.

Steve worked for 49 years in information technology systems analysis and project management across various industries and types of companies.

With his wife of 34 years, Catherine, at his side, Hayden was promptly sworn into office after the vote. He will serve until the end of 2024 in the seat vacated by Nolan Nicaise, who abruptly resigned Aug. 8, saying he could be a better advocate for residents in a non-elected position.

Hayden, who lives in the Historic Licking Riverside neighborhood, was appointed in August 2023 to fill the remainder of the term of Nolan Nicaise, who had stepped down early.

City salutes outgoing Mayor Meyer, Commissioner Hayden

Steve was appointed in August 2023 to fill the remainder of a Covington commission term and served until the end of 2024.

2026 Kentucky General Election

“Covington is on the right track,” Hayden said. “We need to keep our economic momentum going, continue supporting our neighborhoods and make sure city services are efficient and responsive. That’s what residents expect, and that’s what I’m committed to delivering.”

Steve Hayden announces run for Covington City Council

He also helped establish pollinator gardens around Covington, served on the 2019 citizen task force that established the vision for a new future city hall, and helped in the laborious creation of the Neighborhood Development Code that re-fashioned the City’s approach to zoning and land use.

Committed to supporting neighborhoods and providing efficient, responsive city services.

Helped establish pollinator gardens around Covington.

- Committed to supporting neighborhoods and providing efficient, responsive city services.
- Helped establish pollinator gardens around Covington.

Public Services

Hayden painted a picture of the stakes.

“The current market rates for housing barely allows someone to be able to find an accommodation inside of their own city,” Hayden said. “There’s lots of things you can prioritize, but we are actually here to serve the citizens. Covington and those citizens need help on accommodation that’s suitable to their income.”

Covington candidates talk housing, city's future at forum

Helped create the Neighborhood Development Code, which reshaped the city’s approach to zoning and land use.

Calls for housing accommodations that are suitable for Covington residents’ incomes.

- Helped create the Neighborhood Development Code, which reshaped the city’s approach to zoning and land use.
- Calls for housing accommodations that are suitable for Covington residents’ incomes.

Housing & Urban Development

As of September 15, 2026, Steve Hayden did not have a website or any information online.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Public Safety

Education

Economy

Steve Hayden

As of September 15, 2026, Steve Hayden’s website did not contain information on this issue.

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Tim Downing

- City council members make up the legislative body of the city's government and are responsible for the public's health, safety, and welfare. Its legislative duties include enacting ordinances, levying taxes, and adopting a budget. 
- The city council has the authority to investigate all activities of the city government and its employees. 
- City councils in Kentucky typically have between 6 and 12 council members. They serve two-year terms except in Louisville and Lexington where some members serve four-year terms. 
- Council members can be elected to represent a single district or the city at-large. Elections take place in even-numbered years. 

Passes laws and regulations for your city.