COVINGTON — Bennie Doggett didn't know until Tuesday her term as a member of the city's board of adjustments was up.

        In a last-minute switch Wednesday, the City Commission reappointed Ms. Doggett to another four-year term. The city had planned to appoint Sandy Arnold, who has been outspoken against the Mardi Gras celebration on MainStrasse.

        “I think this thing is such a big misunderstanding,” Ms. Doggett said after Tuesday's meeting.

        Ms. Arnold and Ms. Doggett met for the first time after the commission meeting. Ms. Arnold said before the meeting she had no problem with Ms. Doggett continuing to serve.

        “I would never attack anyone personally; that's not appropriate,” Ms. Arnold said before the meeting. “That's her position. If she wants to remain on it, that's fine. I think her commitment is commendable.”

        Ms. Arnold has opposed businesses in the MainStrasse Village district being given licenses to stay open later than 1 a.m., and she is against reviving the Mardi Gras celebration there next year.

        Ms. Doggett said the confusion may have started several months ago, when she told Economic Director Ella Brown-Frye she might leave the board to take care of a sister who was ill.

        “Her term expired in October,” Ms. Frye said.

        That was the only time the matter came up. But when Ms. Doggett's term expired Oct. 15, the city had a deadline: Fill the vacancy by today, or the Northern Kentucky Area Planning Commission would.

        Ms. Frye called Ms. Doggett Tuesday and told her Ms. Arnold was being selected. That's when Ms. Doggett found out she was an ex-board member and said she wanted to serve again.

        Ms. Doggett said the new commission should update city zoning codes.

        “I think our zoning codes were for when Covington was a small town,” she said.

        In other action, commissioners discussed the process for hiring an assistant police chief to replace new Kenton County Police Chief Bill Dorsey.

        Commissioner Jerry Bamberger said the present group should hire someone by the end of the year because it knows the candidates and is including newcomers Craig Bohman and Alex Edmondson in the interview process. Commissioner J.T. Spence said the new commission should do it because more time is needed.