Kentucky Attorney General’s Office Backs Covington Mayor Salary Increase Ahead of Government Shift

Cincinnati, OH, September 29, 2026 —

The Kentucky Attorney General’s Office has formally issued an opinion supporting a proposed salary increase for the mayor of Covington, Kentucky. This decision is directly linked to the city’s impending transition to a strong mayor form of government, scheduled to take effect in 2027.

The shift to a strong mayor system is anticipated to significantly expand the duties, responsibilities, and authority vested in the mayoral office. In light of these anticipated changes, the opinion from the Attorney General’s Office provides a legal framework for adjusting the mayor’s compensation.

Specific details regarding the exact amount of the proposed salary increase or the timeline for its implementation beyond the 2027 transition were not detailed in the opinion. However, the core of the opinion affirms the legality and appropriateness of adjusting the mayor’s salary in preparation for the expanded role.

The current mayor of Covington, Kentucky, and the specific details of the proposed salary adjustment are not provided in the information available. The opinion from the Attorney General’s Office serves as a key step in the administrative process for approving such changes in compensation for elected officials when significant governmental structure changes occur.

A strong mayor form of government typically grants the mayor greater executive power, including direct appointment of department heads, veto power over council actions, and a more prominent role in budget preparation and management. This contrasts with a council-manager system, where the city council appoints a city manager to oversee daily operations. The transition in Covington marks a notable shift in its local governance structure.

Story summarized from the original created by Nathan Granger on linknky.com, see more information here.

Media gallery