City of Ashland Kentucky

What City of Ashland Kentucky does

The City of Ashland, Kentucky is a municipal government entity operating under a Board of Commissioners / City Manager structure in Boyd County, serving approximately 20,000 residents with comprehensive local services. Core operations span water production, treatment and distribution; wastewater treatment and collection; solid waste; police and fire departments; the Ashland Bus System with paratransit; parks and recreation (including Dawson Pool, Central Bark dog park, and the Winter Wonderland of Lights festival); code enforcement; planning and zoning; and community and economic development programs including CDBG-funded housing and small business loan initiatives. The city also administers the Ashland Assisted Housing Authority (Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program).

The technology stack is built on third-party SaaS integrations rather than proprietary platforms. AuthorityPay (coautilities.authoritypay.com) handles online utility billing and payments for water, sewer, garbage, business licenses, code enforcement fines, planning/zoning fees, and parking tickets with autopay enrollment. Passio GO! provides real-time bus tracking via iOS/Android apps and a desktop version. AlertSense and Hyper-Reach deliver emergency and public awareness notifications across phone, email, and SMS based on address and user preferences. Revize powers the city's website CMS. The website (ashlandky.gov) serves as the primary digital hub alongside Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube (live-streamed Commission meetings), and a dedicated Public Information Office distributing press releases to The Daily Independent and Greater Ashland Beacon.

The business model is a hybrid municipal revenue engine: recurring utility fees (water, sewer, garbage), annual business privilege licenses ($100/year), occupational and net profit license fees (2% on gross wages, scheduled to rise to 2.375% effective January 1, 2026), property tax collection, parking fees and fines ($5/$10/$15 escalation), building permits and inspections, plus federal Community Development Block Grant funding from HUD (~$537,940–$573,725 annually plus carryover funds). Distribution spans walk-in City Building services, online self-service portals, 24/7 telephone support, partner bank branches (Community Trust, Kentucky Farmers Bank, Citizens National Bank), drop boxes, and the Ashland Transportation Center. Customer segments include residents, local businesses, low-to-moderate income residents (CDBG-eligible), visitors and tourists, and workforce entrants via university-partnered internship programs.

Name

City of Ashland Kentucky

Legal name

City of Ashland, Kentucky

Website

https://ashlandky.gov

Company type

Public

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The City of Ashland, Kentucky is a municipal government serving approximately 20,000 residents of Boyd County with utilities, public safety, transit, parks, and community development services, funded through taxes, utility fees, business licenses, and federal HUD grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Municipal Government Services

NAICS

Water, Sewage and Other Systems (2213), Sewage Treatment Facilities (22132), Regulation and Administration of Transportation Programs (92612), Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (925)

SIC

Water Supply (4941), Transportation Services (4700), Refuse Systems (4953)

akta.pro primary industry

Mayor/City Manager & General Administration (BPAIACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Local Transportation, Parking & Mobility Administration (BPAIACAM), Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services (BPAIACAI), Solid Waste & Recycling Services Administration (BPAIACAH), Public Transit Bus Operator Authorities & Agencies (Planning/Fare/Admin) (TLAFAGAL)

Keywords

• Municipal government services
• Public utilities
• Public transportation
• Community development
• Parks and recreation

Headquarters

HQ city

Ashland, Kentucky

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Utility Services: Revenue from water, sewer, and garbage services. Includes connection fees, deposits ($125 standard, $62.50 reduced for elderly/disabled), and service charges. Reconnection fees range from $40-$80 depending on circumstances and timing.
2. Business Licenses and Occupational Fees: Annual Business Privilege License fee of $100; Occupational License Fee of 2% on gross wages (increasing to 2.375% effective 1/1/2026); Net Profit License Fee of 2% (increasing to 2.375% effective 1/1/2026)
3. Property Taxes: Collection and management of property taxes for Ashland Independent School District with discount and total tax due dates
4. Parking Fees and Fines: Downtown residential parking permits ($120/year), parking fines ($5 first ticket, $10 second, $15 each thereafter), and parking garage fees
5. CDBG Federal Grants: Community Development Block Grant funding from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. PY2022 allocation of $537,940 plus $961,974 carryover; PY2020 allocation of $573,725; PY2019 allocation of $567,501 plus $666,706.55 carryover
6. Permit and Inspection Fees: Building permits, code enforcement fees, planning and zoning fees, and various construction-related permits and inspections

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The City of Ashland, Kentucky provides comprehensive municipal government services to residents, businesses, and visitors within its city limits. Core services include water and wastewater utilities, solid waste and recycling collection, public transportation (Ashland Bus System with paratransit), police and fire protection, parks and recreation facilities (including Dawson Pool and Central Bark dog park), code enforcement and building inspections, business licensing and occupational tax collection, property tax collection, Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher administration, and community development programs funded through federal CDBG grants. The city operates under a Board of Commissioners form of government with a City Manager overseeing day-to-day operations.

Product overview

City of Ashland Kentucky operates as a municipal government providing public services to residents. The city's technology and service offerings include: the Ashland Bus System with real-time tracking via Passio GO! app; water/wastewater utility services; Parks & Recreation facilities including Dawson Pool, Central Bark dog park, and city parks; online utility payment portal through AuthorityPay; building permits and inspections; business licensing; property tax collection; and community programs such as Repair Affair, Citizens AKademY, and housing assistance. Services are delivered through a Revize-powered website with integrated AlertSense emergency notifications and Hyper-Reach alert signup. The city operates on a platform-plus-service model with digital services layered over traditional municipal infrastructure.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ashland Bus System: Public transportation system providing bus routes, paratransit services, and fare management for Ashland residents
• Ashland Fire Department
• Ashland Police Department
• Ashland Assisted Housing Authority
• Dawson Pool
• Central Bark
• Citizens AKademY
• Winter Wonderland of Lights
• Ashland Cares
• Utilities Department

Products and services

• Ashland Bus System Public bus transportation service providing fixed routes (Catlettsburg, 13th Street/Crosstown, 29th Street, Downtown Loop), paratransit service for riders with disabilities, and real-time bus tracking via the Passio GO! mobile app. Fares and passes available to residents.
• Water and Wastewater Utility Services Municipal water production from Ohio River intake, water treatment and distribution, wastewater treatment, and wastewater collection services for residents and businesses within city limits. Includes service connection fees and deposits.
• Dawson Pool Municipal outdoor public swimming pool operated by the Parks & Recreation department. Offers seasonal admission to residents during operating hours of 12:00-6:00 PM.
• Central Bark Dog Park Official 5.25-acre city dog park located at Wendell Banks Southside. Features separate areas for large and small dogs, training toys, water fountains, and fenced play areas. Open year-round from dawn to dusk.
• Building Permits and Inspections Code Enforcement and building inspection services through the Community & Economic Development department. Processes building permits, conducts inspections, and enforces building codes within city limits.
• Business Licenses and Occupational License Fees Annual Business Privilege License ($100/year), Occupational License Fee (2% on gross wages, increasing to 2.375% on 1/1/2026), and Net Profit License Fee (2%, increasing to 2.375% on 1/1/2026) for businesses operating within city limits.
• Property Tax Collection Municipal property tax collection including City of Ashland and Ashland Independent School District taxes. Accepts online payments, mail, drop box, and phone payments with discount and total tax due dates.
• Voluntary Curbside Recycling

Quantifiable outcome

• CDBG program benefits persons of low-to-moderate income, aids in slum/blight prevention, or meets urgent community needs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kentucky Transportation CabinetcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 September 2025KYTC conducts bridge inspections on Ohio River crossings (12th and 13th Street bridges) September 7-19, 2025. Responsible for US 23 and US 60 traffic between Kentucky and Ohio. Also conducting resurfacing project on US 23 (Greenup Ave) and US 23X (Winchester Ave) beginning July 7, 2025 for approximately three weeks.
• University of KentuckyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024University partnership for utilities internship program providing work-based learning placements for high school students and workforce entrants in the drinking water and wastewater industry. Four interns hired for up to 12 weeks at $16/hour.
• West Virginia UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024University partnership for utilities internship program providing work-based learning placements for high school students and workforce entrants in the drinking water and wastewater industry. Part of WaterWORC initiative.
• City of FlatwoodsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership providing temporary swimming pool access during renovation of Dawson Pool. City operates bus route from Dawson Pool parking lot to Flatwoods Pool with pickup at 11 AM and return at 3 PM.
• RumpkeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 October 2019Rumpke was awarded the contract to conduct a voluntary curbside recycling survey of Ashland residents. The program requires minimum 850 household participation to proceed. Rumpke collects names, addresses, and phone numbers of interested residents and handles monthly recycle pickups at $7.75/month for every-other-week service.
• Boyd CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing partnership with Boyd County government for various services. Joint winter storm cleanup efforts with Boyd County Fiscal Court. Boyd County is Primary county for FEMA disaster assistance. County houses CDBG offices and public library for document access.
• Ashland AlliancecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEconomic development partner listed on City of Ashland community development partners page. Works on business attraction, retention, and expansion efforts in Ashland area.
• KCTCS Workforce SolutionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce development partner providing training and development resources. Listed on Ashland community development partners page alongside Ashland Alliance and Ashland In Motion.
• Ashland In MotionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity initiative partner listed on Ashland community development partners page. Focuses on community vitality and quality of life improvements.
• ThinkKentucky (Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState economic development portal (thinkkentucky.com) partnered with City for business development resources and site selection information.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Tyler Technologies: Broad incumbent - largest US provider of municipal government software including utility billing, permitting, and payments. Comparable only in the digital infrastructure layer of municipal service delivery.

Direct peers

• City of Covington, Kentucky: Direct peer - Kentucky municipal government of comparable size operating under similar Council-Manager structure, providing water/wastewater utilities, public transit, and community development services to residents.
• City of Bowling Green, Kentucky: Direct peer - Kentucky municipal government operating similar service portfolio including water/sewer utilities, public transit, parks & recreation, and CDBG programs. Larger scale but same state regulatory framework.
• City of Huntington, West Virginia: Direct peer - similarly-sized Appalachian Ohio River city facing parallel population/economic headwinds, providing water/sewer utilities, public transit, and community development programs. Comparable service portfolio and demographic profile.
• City of Flatwoods, Kentucky: Direct peer - smaller Kentucky municipal neighbor with formal service partnership (pool access during Dawson Pool renovations, bus route coordination). Operates similar basic municipal services at smaller scale.
• City of Portsmouth, Ohio: Direct peer - neighboring Ohio River city of similar scale in Appalachian region. Operates comparable municipal services including water/wastewater utilities, public transit, and CDBG-funded community development programs.

Others

• Rumpke Waste & Recycling: Adjacent service provider - contracted recycling partner conducting Ashland curbside recycling survey and operations. Comparable as a vendor in the solid waste management ecosystem.
• CivicPlus (Revize): Adjacent vendor - provides the Revize CMS platform powering Ashland's municipal website. Comparable as enabling technology infrastructure for municipal communications and digital service delivery.

Emerging players

• Passio Technologies: Emerging player - technology vendor providing the Passio GO! bus tracking platform deployed by Ashland Bus System. Comparable in the transit technology subset of municipal operations.

Regional players

• Boyd County Fiscal Court: Regional peer - county government partner providing joint services including winter storm cleanup, FEMA disaster assistance coordination, and shared public services. Operates in overlapping geographic jurisdiction.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/Ashland_KY
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/cityofashland
• Facebookfacebook.com/CityofAshlandKY
• Instagraminstagram.com/ashland_ky
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/city-of-ashland-kentucky

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about City of Ashland Kentucky