Fort Thomas council to consider $35,000 forensic audit after $320,000 write-off review Council discussed hiring Dean Dorton to perform a forensic review of recent financial issues related to the '1 Highland' project and other controls; staff requested a $35,000 budget amendment to fund a three-year lookback and internal-control testing.

Fort Thomas is set to embark on a $35,000 forensic audit after uncovering a staggering $320,000 write-off—what will the investigation reveal?

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#FortThomasCampbellCounty #KY #FortThomasFinance #CitizenPortal #FinancialTransparency #InternalControls #AuditAccountability

Preservation consultant urges denial of large addition at 1 Alexander Circle; applicant presents revisions At a continued review, a preservation consultant urged the Design Review Board to deny a proposed addition at 1 Alexander Circle for removing historic materials and altering the building’s public appearance; the applicant presented revised plans addressing visibility, openings and materials and the board continued deliberations.

A preservation consultant is urging the Fort Thomas Design Review Board to deny a large-scale addition at 1 Alexander Circle, citing concerns over historic integrity, while the applicant insists their revised plans respect the building's legacy.

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Fort Thomas auditors give unmodified opinion; council weighs costly forensic review of prior accounting Auditor John Jengrelin reported an unmodified opinion on the city’s fiscal 2024 financial statements and highlighted planned and unplanned adjustments. Council debated commissioning a forensic audit to probe past bookkeeping irregularities after the audit identified prior‑period adjustments.

Fort Thomas received a glowing audit report, yet the city council is now torn over whether to invest in a costly forensic review to address past bookkeeping discrepancies.

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#FortThomasCampbellCounty #KY #FortThomasFinance #AuditStandards #GovernmentAccountability

Fort Thomas council nomination of interim member prompts debate over process and conflicts Public speakers and council members debated procedures after a motion to nominate Brad Fennell for a one‑year interim council seat; some council members and residents urged interviews and transparency, and an allegation about a past property profit was raised and addressed in council discussion.

Fort Thomas residents clashed with council members over the nomination process for an interim seat, raising questions of transparency and potential conflicts of interest.

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#FortThomasCampbellCounty #KY #OpenGov #PublicParticipation #CivicTransparency #LocalGovernance

Council authorizes mayor to sign refinancing documents, discusses $250,000 lighting expense and reappointments Council approved a municipal order authorizing the mayor to execute refinancing joiner documents for NAB Fort Thomas LLC, discussed a $250,000 funding authorization for school ball‑field lighting conditioned on an updated lease, and approved reappointments to advisory boards.

Fort Thomas City Council just took a significant step, approving refinancing for a major project and discussing a $250,000 boost for ball-field lighting!

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#FortThomasCampbellCounty #KY #CommunityDevelopment #FortThomasSchools #PublicFunding #CitizenPortal #CivicAccountability

Business leaders and residents spar over future of Merchants & Music and Grow Grant program Supporters told council Merchants & Music and the Grow Grant program draw regional visitors and improve storefronts; council and some residents urged reevaluation amid tighter city finances and asked staff to seek sponsorships, metrics and a December follow‑up meeting.

The future of Fort Thomas’s beloved Merchants & Music festival hangs in the balance as city leaders weigh financial concerns against the event's regional allure.

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#FortThomasCampbellCounty #KY #CitizenPortal #FortThomasBusiness #FiscalResponsibility #EconomicDevelopment

Residents demand independent forensic audit as council weighs personnel and finance fixes Multiple Fort Thomas residents urged an independent forensic audit and stricter controls after recent audit findings and disputed personnel decisions; commenters cited a $277,000 pension payment made without council approval and urged outside oversight from the state auditor or a neutral third party.

Fort Thomas residents are demanding an independent forensic audit to address financial concerns and governance issues after a controversial $277,000 pension payment was made without council approval.

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#FortThomasCampbellCounty #KY #CitizenPortal #GovernanceReform

Fort Thomas council hears wide-ranging concerns on proposed Highland–Grand roundabout Residents and several council members on Nov. 17 urged more study, pedestrian protections and local input before the city signals interest to the state on a proposed single-lane roundabout at Highland and Grand avenues; state engineering funding for study and design is in the budget but construction money is not yet released.

Fort Thomas residents are raising urgent concerns about a proposed roundabout at Highland and Grand avenues, debating its impact on safety and local businesses.

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#FortThomasCampbellCounty #KY #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #CommunityInput #TransportationReform

Audit shows Fort Thomas general-fund expenditures exceeded budget by about $1.07 million; Tower Park project and accrual timing cited Auditors and staff told the Finance Committee most of the FY2023-24 budget overrun in the general fund resulted from capital spending and timing of invoices, notably costs tied to the Tower Park renovation. The audit reported roughly $1.07 million in expenditures over budget and $2.58 million variance versus revenues in the general fund.

Fort Thomas faces a staggering $1.07 million budget overrun, largely due to capital projects like the Tower Park renovation and timing discrepancies in invoices.

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#FortThomasCampbellCounty #KY #BudgetTransparency #CitizenPortal #FiscalResponsibility #CapitalProjects

Fort Thomas finance committee: $322,498 audit adjustment reflects posting errors, auditors say no evidence of fraud Auditors told the Finance Committee the $322,498 "unaccounted for" item in the FY2023-24 audit is an accounting description for prior-period adjustments caused by missed postings, not missing cash. Auditors recommended monthly reconciliations and documentation; staff said monthly bank reconciliations are now in place and procedures are being formal

A recent audit revealed a $322,498 adjustment in Fort Thomas due to accounting errors, but auditors assure there's no evidence of fraud—just a need for better bookkeeping practices.

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Fort Thomas staff previews GROW grant reopening and KYTC-funded roundabout; council asks for community input Staff asked whether to open the GROW business grant application window and presented several potential capital projects for council feedback, including a KYTC-funded roundabout at Highland and Grand and a crosswalk/streetscape redesign on Grand Avenue and South Fort Thomas Avenue. Council requested more analysis on eligibility for GROW grants, the

Fort Thomas is considering reopening its GROW grant applications for small businesses, but controversy brews over what improvements should be funded—will they prioritize the façade or go beyond?

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#FortThomasCampbellCounty #KY #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #EconomicGrowth

Fort Thomas council reviews $277,000 CERS payment, auditors and residents press for answers Council members and staff reviewed a $277,000 payment to the Kentucky County Employee Retirement System (CERS/KPPA) tied to pension "spiking" from prior years, described an earlier $169,000 audit accrual, and said the net expense this year was about $108,000. Council members raised concerns about communication gaps, duplicate ledger entries and a $

Fort Thomas City Council is facing mounting pressure to investigate a mysterious $277,000 pension payment linked to past "spiking" practices, raising serious questions about financial oversight and accountability.

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#FortThomasCampbellCounty #KY #PublicFinance #CitizenPortal

Fort Thomas residents press council over duplicate accounting entries, $277,721 pension payment and calls for forensic review Public commenters and council members questioned how duplicate journal entries in the citys Springbrook accounting system affected month-end balances and an amended budget, and pressed for a root-cause analysis, forensic accounting and legal and HR reviews. City staff said the duplicate March entry was reversed and that the $277,721.51 payment was

Fort Thomas residents are demanding answers after a $277,721 pension payment was linked to alarming duplicate journal entries in the city's accounting system.

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#FortThomasCampbellCounty #KY #CitizenPortal #PublicTrust #FiscalTransparency #FortThomasAccounting #CivicAccountability

Council members and residents press for HR review and clarify that executive order cannot replace ordinance Council discussion focused on a relationship contract, an executive order that altered an organizational chart, alleged conflict‑of‑interest risks and calls to hire outside HR; council scheduled a special meeting to address personnel policy and to issue RFPs for HR services.

Fort Thomas residents are demanding answers over potential conflicts of interest and procedural missteps following controversial personnel changes within the city government.

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#FortThomasCampbellCounty #KY #CitizenPortal #WorkplaceTransparency #CivicAccountability #HRReform

Fort Thomas council orders forensic audit after disputed pension payment and audit gaps After months of citizen complaints and a qualified finding in the city audit, Fort Thomas City Council voted to pursue a forensic audit, request competitive proposals and schedule a special meeting to scope the work. Citizens and council members cited a $277,721.51 payment, a later duplicate ledger entry and $322,498 the auditor flagged as un‑recon

Fort Thomas City Council has taken a bold step towards transparency by voting for a forensic audit after alarming discrepancies in pension payments were uncovered.

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#FortThomasCampbellCounty #KY #CitizenPortal #ForensicAudit #CivicAccountability #FinancialTransparency

Council Weighs Options for $100K Tennis Court Repairs in Midway Council discusses two repair options for tennis courts amid drainage issues.

Fort Thomas is facing a critical decision on renovating its deteriorating tennis courts—will they opt for a quick fix or invest in a long-lasting solution?

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#FortThomasCampbellCounty #KY #CitizenPortal #CommunityInvestment #FortThomasTennis #InfrastructureRepair

Griffin Austin Seeks Height Variance for Project at 247 Military Parkway Griffin Austin requests a height variance under new ordinance definitions.

A pivotal height variance request in Fort Thomas could redefine the future of urban development and community character—will the Board of Adjustment approve this significant change?

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#FortThomasCampbellCounty #KY #CitizenPortal #ZoningRegulations #CommunityCharacter

Addison Austin seeks height variance for new home construction in Fort Thomas Addison Austin requests a 3-foot height variance for a home with a walkout basement.

A request for a height variance in Fort Thomas could reshape community development while replacing a blighted structure with a new family home.

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