Welcome to the City of Owenton, Kentucky
About the City of Owenton
The City of Owenton, Kentucky is a small rural community located in the “Heart of the Golden Triangle” in Northern Kentucky on Highway 127. The city was incorporated in 1828 and currently serves as the County Seat of Owen County. The population according to the latest Census is 1682 residences. The city features many locally owned and operated businesses with a quaint small-town feel.
City Clerk Treasurer: Sherry Hamilton
Deputy City Clerk: Anita Sipple
City Attorney: Mitzy L. Ford is the City Attorney. Ms. Ford attends all council meetings, drafts the Ordinances, and advises the City on legal matters. Ms. Ford has been the City Attorney since 2012. She has been in practice in the City of Owenton since 2002.
Building Inspector: Mr. Matt Dunaway is the Building Inspector for the City of Owenton. Matt is a Certified Inspector for Residential and Commercial Building up to 200,000 square feet. If you have a building project call City Hall at 502.484.2313 to schedule an inspection and obtain a Building Permit.
Mayor Adam Gaines
Welcome to the City of Owenton Web Page. My name is Adam Gaines. I was elected as Mayor of Owenton in 2018 and took office on January 1, 2019. It is truly a privilege and honor to serve the citizens of this City. While our city is not large in population, we have great pride in our city. My staff and I strive to be available to address every concern expressed to us. Our door at City Hall is always open.
Owenton City Council and Elected Officials
Monthly Council meetings are held the 2nd Thursday of each month at City Hall at 5:30pm. All meetings are open to the public.
Jill Dunavent: Ms. Dunavent was first elected in 2018 to council and began serving in 2019. She is now serving her fourth term on council.
Leigh Hawkins: Ms. Hawkins was elected to council in 2024 and began serving in January 2025. This is her first term on council.
Jimmy Marston: Mr. Marston was elected to council in 2014 and began serving January 2015. He is currently serving his sixth term on council.
Patty Sue Miller: Ms. Miller was elected to council in the fall of 2022 and began serving in 2023. She is serving her second term to the council.
James Brock-Abner: Mr. Abner was elected to council in 2024 and began serving January 2015. This is his first term on council.
Larry Dale Perry: Mr. Perry is the longest serving member of council. He was first elected in 1981 and has continuously served since January 1982.
Public Works
Timmy Dezarn joined the city in 2019 as a part-time employee in the maintenance department.
Police
Chief of Police Clint Aldridge: On January 1, 2023, Officer Clint Aldridge was sworn in as the new Chief of Police for the city of Owenton. Chief Aldridge assumes the position upon the retirement of Chief Terry Gentry in December 2022. Officer Aldridge began his career as an officer in neighboring Gallatin County in 2015. Officer Aldridge joined the Owenton Police Department in 2018. Officer Aldridge served in the Military for four years prior to becoming a police officer.
Officer Billy Camack: Officer Cammack joined the Owenton Police Department on June 13, 2024. Officer Cammack enlisted in the Navy in 2013 and served 10 years prior to joining the department.
Fire
The City of Owenton’s Fire Department consists of 21 volunteer members. These individuals give many hours to the city and the county when called upon to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents. They do all the required trainings to keep the department working with the newest and latest codes.
Greg Estes was appointed City Fire Chief in 2021. Chief Estes joined the City Fire Department in 1986 as a Jr Fire Fighter. Chief Estes is also County Fire Chief and Search and Rescue Chief.
City Council Meeting Agendas
Current Meeting
May 2025
2025
January 2025, January 3 (Special Meeting), February, March, April 17 (Special Meeting), April 29 (Special Meeting), May, June, June Special Meeting, July, August, August Special Meeting, September, October, November, December
2024
January, February, March, April, May, June, June Special Meeting, July, August, August Special Meeting, September, October, November, December
2023
January 19 Special Meeting, January 23 Special Meeting, February, March, April, May, June, June Special Meeting, July, August, August Special Meeting, September Special Meeting, November, December, December Special Meeting
City Council Meeting Minutes
2025
January, January Special Meeting, February, March, April 17, April 29, May, June, June Special Meeting, July, August, August Special Meeting, September, October, November, December
2024
January, February, March, April, May, June, June Special Meeting, July, August, August Special Meeting, September, October, November, December
2023
January 19 Special Meeting, January 23 Special Meeting, February, March, April, May, June, June 16 Special Meeting, July, August 3 Special Meeting, August, August 17 Special Meeting, September 18 Special Meeting, September 26 Special Meeting, October, November, December
Ordinances
The City of Owenton’s Zoning Ordinances can be found below.
Zoning to Codification of Ordinances
City of Owenton, Kentucky Code of Ordinances
Open Records Requests
Rules governing inspection of the Public Records of the City of Owenton.
Owenton Open Records Policy
Forms and Applications
Business License Application
Business License with Alcohol Application
Building Permit
Laying Fowl Permit
Parade Permit Application
Sign Permit
Small Deck and Fence Building Permit
News and Events Around Owenton
Farmers Market is held at the Farm Bureau Parking Lot every Friday beginning the 1st Friday in May through the last Friday in October.
Notice:
The April 10, 2025, council meeting has been moved to April 17, 2025 at 5:30pm. It will still be held at City Hall.
Notice to Rumpke Customers
Due to the recent weather conditions Rumpke would like to make sure their customers have the following information:
If any resident would like to sign up for weather alerts, please email your address and cell phone number or email or both at service.lou@rumpke.com or call 800.828.8171 and ask for residential customer service.
Notice:
The City of Owenton is seeking bids for the following:
Option 1: Replace all broken and missing curbs starting at 110 Kelly Court (right side) around the cul-de-sac just past the storm drain. Form a drain covering for existing drainage pipes at 114 Kelly Court and 109 Kelly Court.
Option 2: Replace all of the curb starting at 110 Kelly Court (right side) around the cul-de-sac just past the storm drain. Form a drain covering for existing drainage pipes at 114 Kelly Court and 109 Kelly Court.
Bid packets with pictures of the areas needing work are available at City Hall from 8:00 am to 4:00pm Closed for lunch 12:00-1:00.
Successful bidders will need to provide proof of insurance and workers’ compensation coverage.
Bids need to be submitted by May 06, 2025. If you have questions concerning this bid call City Hall at 502-484-2313.
Career Opportunities
None available at this time.
Contact Information
220 S. Main Street
Owenton, KY 40359
502.484.2313