Growing up in the Woodlyn Hills subdivisions, Mayor Fette has been a resident of Erlanger for 22 years. She attended Dixie Heights High School and graduated from Northern Kentucky University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Business Administration.

Mayor Jessica Fette's Bio | City of Erlanger

Woodlyn Hills was where she met her neighborhood sweetheart Jim, and were married in 2008 at St. Henry Catholic Church. They have three children Grace, James and Max. 525 Timberlake Ave. was their first home as a married couple and they currently live in the Lakemont Community.

Office of the Mayor | City of Erlanger

Woodlyn Hills was where she met her neighborhood sweetheart Jim, and were married in 2008 at St. Henry Catholic Church. They have three children Grace, James and Max. 525 Timberlake Ave. was their first home as a married couple and they currently live in the Lakemont Community. The Fette Family attends church at St. Barbara Parish and both, Jessica and Jim, are active parent volunteers for St. Henry Elementary.

Jessica Fette grew up in the Woodlyn Hills subdivision. She attended Dixie Heights High School and earned a bachelor's degree in economics and business administration from Northern Kentucky University. She lives in the Lakemont Community, attends St. Barbara Parish, and volunteers at St. Henry Elementary.

Mayor Jessica Fette's Bio - City of Erlanger

Having more than 10 years of reporting, analysis and client/project management experience, Mayor Fette has been a part of multiple transformational projects for the companies that she has worked for in the past and has owned her own small business since 2012.

With over a decade of experience in project management, reporting, and analysis, Jessica has led numerous transformational projects across various organizations. In 2012, she founded a small business specializing in marketing and graphic design services for other small businesses, further demonstrating her entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to local economic development.

About | Jessica Fette Erlanger Mayor 2026

Fette, who has lived in Erlanger for most of her life, has deep roots in the community. She is the owner of The Hive, a popular local business located in the city’s oldest building. The Hive serves as a gathering place for residents and offers a variety of services and products that reflect the character of Erlanger.

Jessica Fette, mayor of Erlanger, loves her home community, owns The Hive in city's oldest building

Jessica Fette owns The Hive, a local business. She has also owned a small business specializing in marketing and graphic design services for other small businesses.

Jessica Fette, mayor of Erlanger, loves her home community

Jessica owns The Hive, a local business. She has also owned a small business specializing in marketing and graphic design services for other small businesses.

My name is Jessica Fette

Jessica Fette is the first female Mayor of Erlanger, Kentucky, a role she has embraced with dedication and vision since 2019. A lifelong resident of Erlanger, Jessica has deep roots in the community and a profound commitment to its growth and well-being.

Mayor Jessica Fette has spent nearly a decade leading with forward-thinking vision, collaboration, and results. From her early days on Erlanger City Council to two successful terms as Mayor, Jessica has worked tirelessly to strengthen the local economy, enhance quality of life, and make Erlanger a true destination for families and businesses.

Accomplishments | Jessica Fette Erlanger Mayor 2026

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Public Service and Leadership

Jessica's journey in public service began as a Council Member for Erlanger from 2016 to 2018. During this time, she spearheaded initiatives such as the creation of the Police Social Services Coordinator position, supported tax decreases, and founded the Erlanger Business Council.

Jessica has served as mayor of Erlanger since 2019 and is serving her second term. She previously served as an Erlanger council member from 2016 to 2018.

2026 Kentucky General Election

As Mayor, Jessica has continued to drive positive change, including:

Transitioning the Fire/EMS Department to a fully full-time staff.

Implementing multiple tax decreases over consecutive years.

Establishing the Legacy Business Incentive Grant and Demo Revitalization Grant.

Launching the Youth Leadership Academy of Erlanger.

Enhancing city transparency by live-streaming Council Meetings.

Launched the Youth Leadership Academy of Erlanger.

- Launched the Youth Leadership Academy of Erlanger.

Education

Jessica envisions an Erlanger that is visually appealing and well cared for, with clean parks, welcoming public spaces, well-preserved architecture, and thoughtful, durable development that reflects pride in our city’s heritage and hope for its future.

Vision | Jessica Fette Erlanger Mayor 2026

Spearheaded the painting of the underpass adjacent to the Railroad Depot, transforming a long-neglected space into a symbol of Erlanger’s renewal.

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Championed expanding homeownership opportunities in Erlanger by partnering with the Housing Authority of Covington to introduce a down payment assistance program for residents.

LinkNKY​

Plans to promote clean parks, preserved architecture, welcoming public spaces, and durable development in Erlanger.

Championed a down-payment assistance program for residents through a partnership with the Housing Authority of Covington.

- Plans to promote clean parks, preserved architecture, welcoming public spaces, and durable development in Erlanger.
- Championed a down-payment assistance program for residents through a partnership with the Housing Authority of Covington.

Housing & Urban Development

City Council (2016–2018)
2018

Helped create the Police Social Services Coordinator position, improving the city’s response to social-service and crisis calls.

LinkNKY

2017

Launched Erlanger’s first city-sponsored hiring event called “Ready, Set, Hire,” connecting local employers with residents seeking jobs.

Launched Erlanger’s first city-sponsored hiring event called “Ready, Set, Hire,” connecting local employers with residents seeking jobs.

Cincinnati Enquirer
 

Organized Erlanger’s first heroin town hall meeting, bringing together health, law enforcement, and social service leaders to address the opioid crisis collaboratively.

NKY Tribune

2016

Transitioned the Fire/EMS Department to full-time staffing.

Helped create a Police Social Services Coordinator position to improve responses to social-service and crisis calls.

Organized a heroin town hall bringing health, law-enforcement, and social-service leaders together to address the opioid crisis.

- Transitioned the Fire/EMS Department to full-time staffing.
- Helped create a Police Social Services Coordinator position to improve responses to social-service and crisis calls.
- Organized a heroin town hall bringing health, law-enforcement, and social-service leaders together to address the opioid crisis.

Public Safety

2021

Created the Erlanger Business Relief Program, Northern Kentucky’s largest local COVID-relief initiative, investing $1.2 million to help small and mid-sized businesses recover.

NKY Tribune

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Championed a $1.25 million Parks Improvement & Master Plan, modernizing Erlanger parks and creating a long-term vision for recreational spaces.

NKY Tribune

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Led the unveiling of the upgraded Flagship Park in Erlanger—highlighting the newly installed playground surface and the city’s commitment to a $1.25 million parks improvement plan.

2024

Broke ground on Eons Adventure Park, a ~1,000-acre regional recreation destination that reimagines underused city land into trails, gathering spaces, and outdoor attractions.

WCPO 9 Cincinnati
 

Spearheaded the painting of the underpass adjacent to the Railroad Depot, transforming a long-neglected space into a symbol of Erlanger’s renewal.

Launched “City Night Out,” a community and business engagement series connecting residents directly with city leadership.

Press Release
 

Partnered with Kenton County and regional partners to secure $1.3 million of redevelopment and infrastructure funding through the Community Redevelopment Fund.

Championed a $1.25 million Parks Improvement and Master Plan to modernize Erlanger parks and guide future recreational spaces.

Broke ground on Eons Adventure Park, a regional recreation destination with trails, gathering spaces, and outdoor attractions.

Launched City Night Out, a community and business engagement series connecting residents with city leadership.

- Championed a $1.25 million Parks Improvement and Master Plan to modernize Erlanger parks and guide future recreational spaces.
- Broke ground on Eons Adventure Park, a regional recreation destination with trails, gathering spaces, and outdoor attractions.
- Launched City Night Out, a community and business engagement series connecting residents with city leadership.

Public Services

Innovation for a Stronger Future

As mayor, Jessica will continue to promote forward-thinking ideas and technology to improve city services and enhance infrastructure. From modernizing roads, sidewalks, and city facilities, alongside projects that reimagine the city’s future – like the upcoming Eons Adventure Park – Erlanger has seen record levels of innovation in Jessica’s tenure.

Championed expanding homeownership opportunities in Erlanger by partnering with the Housing Authority of Covington to introduce a down payment assistance program for residents.

LinkNKY​

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Secured a $30.6 million state investment in the City of Erlanger to advance the Stevenson Road infrastructure project and support broader economic opportunities.

LinkNKY​

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Through Jessica’s leadership, Erlanger has:

Reduced property and tangible tax rates 10 years in a row

Lowered the city’s insurance premium tax rate twice

Delivered record infrastructure investments without taking on new debt

Plans to modernize roads, sidewalks, and city facilities and use technology to improve city services and infrastructure.

Secured a $30.6 million state investment for the Stevenson Road infrastructure project.

Delivered infrastructure investments without taking on new debt.

- Plans to modernize roads, sidewalks, and city facilities and use technology to improve city services and infrastructure.
- Secured a $30.6 million state investment for the Stevenson Road infrastructure project.
- Delivered infrastructure investments without taking on new debt.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Opened The Hive East Coast Kitchen & Coffee Bar, a restaurant and community gathering space in historic Erlanger, to celebrate food, connection, and local entrepreneurship.

NKY Tribune

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Expanded Erlanger’s EDGE Business Incentive Program, allowing both new and existing companies to qualify for significant occupational tax reductions when adding jobs or expanding operations, strengthening Erlanger’s competitiveness for commercial investment.

Additionally, the City Council, as it has since 2021, voted to earmark 12 percent of real estate tax revenues to the Park Improvement Fund to refurbish Erlanger’s city parks.

“We believe Erlanger is one of the most affordable and attractive places to live in the region because home ownership continues to become more feasible with falling real property tax rates,” said Mayor Jessica Fette. “We have a lot of exciting things to offer in Erlanger, and a lower tax obligation incentivizes people to live here and contribute positively to our thriving neighborhoods. I’m also very pleased that we will continue to make substantial improvements to the beautiful parks we enjoy.”

Press release: Erlanger Cuts Real Property Tax Rate For A Tenth Straight Year - LINK nky

A Strong Local Economy

Jessica knows that small businesses are the heartbeat of a healthy community. She will continue to champion strategic economic growth that supports local entrepreneurs, attracts new investment, and creates well-paying jobs, all while thoughtfully reducing taxes for residents and businesses alike.

2021

Created the Erlanger Business Relief Program, Northern Kentucky’s largest local COVID-relief initiative, investing $1.2 million to help small and mid-sized businesses recover.

NKY Tribune

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Championed a $1.25 million Parks Improvement & Master Plan, modernizing Erlanger parks and creating a long-term vision for recreational spaces.

Expanded the EDGE Business Incentive Program to provide occupational-tax reductions to companies adding jobs or expanding operations.

Said lower property-tax rates make homeownership more feasible and encourage people to live in Erlanger.

Plans to support local entrepreneurs, attract investment, create well-paying jobs, and reduce taxes for residents and businesses.

Created a $1.2 million business-relief program to help small and mid-sized businesses recover from COVID-19.

- Expanded the EDGE Business Incentive Program to provide occupational-tax reductions to companies adding jobs or expanding operations.
- Said lower property-tax rates make homeownership more feasible and encourage people to live in Erlanger.
- Plans to support local entrepreneurs, attract investment, create well-paying jobs, and reduce taxes for residents and businesses.
- Created a $1.2 million business-relief program to help small and mid-sized businesses recover from COVID-19.

Economy

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Jessica Fette

- Championed a down-payment assistance program for residents through a partnership with the Housing Authority of Covington.

- Plans to support local entrepreneurs, attract investment, create well-paying jobs, and reduce taxes for residents and businesses.
- Created a $1.2 million business-relief program to help small and mid-sized businesses recover from COVID-19.

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Mauricio Mendez

Buket Urgen

Diana Niceley

- The duties of the mayor depend on the type of government within the city, 
- If the city has a mayor-council form of government, the mayor is responsible for the executive and administrative functions of the government. They oversee all city departments, but cannot vote in most council matters. 
- If the city has a mayor-aldermen form of government, the mayor is responsible for executing and enforcing local and state laws. The mayor may appoint city officials with approval from the aldermen. 
- If the city has a mayor-commission form of government, the mayor presides over the city commissioners and can vote within the commission. The mayor is responsible for executing all decisions reached by the commission. 
- If the city has a city manager form of government, the mayor presides over the city commissioners and can vote within the commission. The mayor is recognized as the head of the city department but does not have any regular administrative duties. 
- City mayors are elected during general elections for a four-year term. Most cities in Kentucky hold nonpartisan elections for mayor. 