Development News for Covington, Georgia

Parental Responsibility Ordinance Passes Council

Council member Dwayne Turner presented an ordinance regarding parental responsibility, amending section 9.08.010. The ordinance aims to align local law with state wording concerning parental liability for juvenile offenses. Turner presented data on juvenile arrests, compared it to Savannah's ordinance, and addressed concerns about enforcement and fairness. Council members engaged in a lengthy debate, questioning the ordinance's necessity, its potential impact on low-income families, and its alignment with state law. Despite opposition and concerns, the ordinance passed by a four-to-two vote.

Occupational Tax Requirements Eased for Festival Vendors

The council discussed and approved an ordinance related to occupational taxes, specifically amending section 5.04.0.14. The change involves removing the requirement for temporary users at festivals and special events to obtain an occupational tax permit. This decision was made after a public hearing where no one spoke for or against the change. The motion to approve was made and seconded, and the council voted in favor.

911 Trunk System Upgrade Approved to Fiber Optic Network

The council considered a proposal to upgrade the 911 trunk system from an outdated legacy system to a new fiber optic system called EzzyNet. AT&T and Indigital provided quotes for the equipment and service. Indigital was recommended due to more positive experiences and a lower first-year cost of $200 compared to AT&T's $209. The project will involve a 70/30 split with the county. The discussion included questions about the impact of copper wire theft on utility infrastructure and the status of a crime center project. The motion to approve the upgrade with Indigital passed.

City to Apply for GDOT Grant for Road Improvements

John presented a request for approval to apply for the 2026 Local Road Assistance Program (LRA) Grant from the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). The grant provides a supplemental amount of $259,779.79 for 2026 and does not require a local match. The proposed streets for funding are identified as having an average PCI (Pavement Condition Index) of 22.2, indicating poor condition, with a recommendation for complete rebuilds, which is currently unaffordable. The city match is zero for this grant. The total estimated project cost for these streets is approximately $1.8 million, with existing budget allocations from SPLOST and water/sewer funds contributing to the overall project. The council approved proceeding with the grant application process.