2026 Kentucky General Election

Why are you running for this office and what would be your top priority if elected?

Jerry Deatherage: In running for re-election, my goal is to continue to serve the City of Fort Mitchell as a part of my civic responsibility. Our council has worked very well together over the past few years and I hope to continue in the role. There are a few primary goals I keep top of mind when serving. It is critical that we maintain fiscal responsibility for our citizens. The focused services of our city are police, fire, public works, road repair, parks and recreation. One primary goal, in today’s economy, is to make sure these departments are staffed adequately and competitively. In an inflationary economy, we were able to increase wages accordingly.

Candidates for Ft. Mitchell city council answer questions - LINK nky

Prioritizes adequate and competitive staffing for city police, fire, public works, road repair, and parks and recreation services.

- Prioritizes adequate and competitive staffing for city police, fire, public works, road repair, and parks and recreation services.

Public Services

Access to affordable housing in Northern Kentucky, as well as across the country, is increasingly a challenge. What role do you see the city government playing in addressing these concerns?

Deatherage: As a city, we work closely with Planning & Development Services of Kenton County (PDS). One of our current council members sits on the management board providing valuable insights to us as a city on housing issues. The recent efforts from the Z21 Task Force will allow us to follow the comprehensive plan for Kenton County.

With the development at the former Drawbridge Inn site underway, what do you see as the role of council in assuring its success – not necessarily as a commercial endeavor – but as a community asset and destination?

Deatherage: There are many moving parts and entities, public and private, involved with the project. I see our role as supporting the necessary infrastructure to ensure the success of the development and to fairly manage the zoning to the needs of the community, citizens and visitors.

Supports working with Planning and Development Services of Kenton County and following the county's comprehensive plan on housing issues.

Supports providing necessary infrastructure and managing zoning fairly for development of the former Drawbridge Inn site.

- Supports working with Planning and Development Services of Kenton County and following the county's comprehensive plan on housing issues.
- Supports providing necessary infrastructure and managing zoning fairly for development of the former Drawbridge Inn site.

Housing & Urban Development

What are the most significant infrastructure concerns in your city and what should be done to address them?

Deatherage: The city has a budget goal “to provide the best service possible to our residents and businesses in the most financially responsible way.” The recent rebuild of Dixie Highway through the heart of our city was crucial thanks to the state approval and funding. Improving Royal Drive is also an infrastructure concern in supporting the new development moving forward.

With heightened concern around the region related to pedestrian and cyclist safety, what do you think should be done to improve this area in your city?

Deatherage: As an older community with narrow streets and street parking, we are also surrounded by two very active state highways and an interstate. Expanding any of the major arteries could be quite a challenge as we’ve just had state support on Dixie Highway. In the meantime, a communication campaign to our community members to be aware of pedestrians/cyclists would be my first thought. We do have a Safety Committee that meets regularly to discuss traffic, pedestrian safety (especially with Beechwood School) and other items. I would present this to them for thoughts or an update. In the meantime, pedestrians and cyclists should continue to follow basic safety tips of wearing protective gear, fluorescent/reflective clothing, stay on the right side with flow of traffic, etc.

The article describes a draft proposal presented by the public works director concerning Highland Avenue. “I don’t think the number of cars is shrinking in Ft. Mitchell,” Deatherage said. “I think we at least owe it to the residents to bring an open forum. If we bring the proposal to the general public and we put an open house together, I think this is something we put a little more ink to.” He was speaking of the draft proposal presented Monday by Stegman.

Ft. Mitchell Looks to Next Steps for Former Christ Site - LINK nky

Prioritizes improving Royal Drive to support new development and providing city services in a financially responsible way.

Proposes a public communication campaign about pedestrian and cyclist awareness and referral of safety concerns to the city Safety Committee.

Calls for an open forum and open house on the Highland Avenue road proposal.

- Prioritizes improving Royal Drive to support new development and providing city services in a financially responsible way.
- Proposes a public communication campaign about pedestrian and cyclist awareness and referral of safety concerns to the city Safety Committee.
- Calls for an open forum and open house on the Highland Avenue road proposal.

Transportation & Infrastructure

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

Public Safety

Education

Cities have benefited from federal funds to recover from the pandemic, but that one-time cash infusion is unlikely to happen again. What steps should be taken to ensure that the city remain on strong financial footing?

Deatherage: Our city has benefitted from prior leaders who were fiscally responsible. Leaders who planned and saved for capital projects and replacement. As chair of the Finance Committee, continuing their decisions to fund depreciable items (fire, ambulance, police, public works equipment, roads, sidewalks, etc.) is a constant focus with the committee and administration. We have done this while not increasing property taxes since well before my entry to council in 2018.

Prioritizes funding the replacement of city capital equipment and infrastructure while maintaining property tax rates.

- Prioritizes funding the replacement of city capital equipment and infrastructure while maintaining property tax rates.

Economy

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Jerry Deatherage

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

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Buket Urgen

Alyson Roeding

Bradley Leeke

Jared Arlinghaus

Jebadiah "Jeb" Holbrook

Jeff Dietrich

Kim Nachazel

Vicki S. Boerger

- 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.