Newton County approves $11,350 toward Covington Juneteenth celebration

The Newton County Board of Commissioners voted 5-0 on March 4 to provide 50% of the requested $22,700 budget for the City of Covington’s Juneteenth celebration, approving a county contribution of $11,350 to support a June 14 parade, festival, concert and fireworks display.

The request was presented by Ken Malcolm, director of community development/downtown development and tourism for the City of Covington, and Pastor Willie Davis, who described planned daytime and evening events and the addition this year of fireworks. "One of the events ... is the Juneteenth celebration, to occur on June 14 of this year," Malcolm told the board. Pastor Davis added that "the fireworks, the parade that morning ... the fireworks will climax the evening," and that organizers planned activities for children and adults.

The county contribution follows a March 3 city council decision to allocate $11,200 toward the event and a proposed reallocation of $7,500 in previously approved fireworks funding. Commissioners asked for clarification on competing budget versions and for accountability measures before approving county funding. Commissioner Lindsey pressed organizers on differing budget documents; staff and presenters said the board should consider the $22,700 budget presented to the city council and discard an earlier $10,481 draft. "So I'm gonna discard the budget that we previously were provided. And I'm a focus on this one right here for $22,700," Commissioner Lindsey said during the discussion.

Organizers told the board that invoices for the event will be processed through Malcolm’s office in Covington and that the city would provide receipts and post-event documentation. Malcolm said the city follows standard audited procedures and that his office would present receipts and an event report after the celebration. The board discussed using an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) or a direct payment to the city; county staff advised that, "Given the speed and the amount of this, it might be more efficient just to pay that money to the city and let them deal with it." Commissioners also asked for written accountability and a post-event accounting.

Commissioners raised public-safety questions. Commissioner Long asked, "Is the county going to be assisting in the safety? I know that's the city down there, but I really want the county to start helping in that matter." Presenters and staff said the county typically collaborates with the sheriff’s office and local police for event safety. Organizers also said they plan to stage fireworks near a school area to reduce travel between festival sites and to avoid placing the fireworks over a dense residential area used last year.

Organizers said they intend to pursue fundraising (including a proposed "Taste of the South" event) to supplement government contributions. The city’s proposed $22,700 budget lists production and sound costs, a band fee (about $6,000) and a fireworks line item; presenters said fireworks funding of $7,500 had been reallocated from another city line item and that, at the moment of the March 4 request, no separate fireworks contract budget existed apart from the reallocation plan.

The motion to fund 50% of the event — $11,350 — was moved by Commissioner Henderson, seconded by Commissioner Edwards, and carried unanimously. The board recorded a 5-0 vote in favor (Commissioners Henderson, Edwards, Lindsey, Long and Mason voting yes). Organizers said they will return documentation after the event and recommended that the county either enter an IGA or pay the city directly so that the city can process invoices through Malcolm’s office.

The Juneteenth celebration is scheduled for June 14, 2025. Organizers said the event will include a morning parade, a festival at Legion Field, a concert and fireworks, and that the city and county intend to coordinate on security and logistics ahead of the event.