Erlanger City Council holds first reading of fiscal 2025-26 tax ordinance; park improvement fund continued

The Erlanger City Council on Aug. 26 held the first reading of an ordinance to set annual ad valorem tax assessments for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026, and to continue a dedicated park improvement fund.

City staff member Jack read the ordinance at the special non-regular meeting, saying it provides for the annual assessment of real estate and personal property within the City of Erlanger, describes tax collection and penalties, and states the purpose and appropriation of the proceeds. Jack said the personal-property ad valorem rate would be $0.178 for each $100 and identified both rates as compensating rates and as reductions from the prior year; the transcripted real-estate rate was unclear and is not specified in the meeting record available.

The ordinance would continue a special park improvement fund and allocates 12% of real-estate tax revenue to that fund, according to Jack. The council did not take a final vote on the ordinance at the meeting; the clerk was asked to note the item as a first reading in the minutes.

Why this matters: Municipal tax rates determine revenue available for city services and capital projects. The ordinance’s continuation of a park improvement fund preserves a dedicated revenue stream for development and maintenance of parks in Erlanger.

Supporting details: The ordinance text read at the meeting covers assessment, collection, penalties, and appropriation language common to an annual tax ordinance. A councilmember briefly confirmed that both rates read were compensating (reductions from last year). The meeting record does not show a motion to adopt the ordinance or a recorded vote; the item was placed on the agenda as a first reading.

Next steps: Because this was a first reading, the council must schedule any subsequent readings or a vote before the ordinance can take effect.