Covington commissioners and city council members spent much of a joint study session discussing a proposed MPD and how to explain its costs and benefits to residents.

"Once it's on the ballot, they know what it is," Laura Morrissey, chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission, said of voter education efforts she described after outreach at Covington Days. Commissioners and council members said residents frequently confuse a county parks levy with a city MPD and that clear, consistent information is needed to show that revenue collected locally would remain in Covington.

Ethan Newton, Covington parks and recreation director, told the group staff has received a financial model from Casey and consultants to run levy-rate scenarios and estimate revenues and potential project packages. "You can use that information to plan what projects or what package of projects might that, be able to fund so you can then say, if it's funded, you could deliver this," Newton said.

Commissioners urged conservative estimates and a single-sheet message so advocates and staff do not overpromise. "We were very pragmatic and realistic about what that extra money would I mean, we're very good at estimating and being, conservative so we don't overpromise something," a council member said during the session.

The group discussed outreach tactics they have used and plan to expand: tabling at athletic and community events, presentations at homeowners associations, short prerecorded videos and a social media campaign, QR codes on printed materials, and targeted distribution in the recreation guide. Carla, the city's communications and marketing manager, confirmed staff are considering short in-house videos and pilots similar to neighboring jurisdictions.

Commissioners said direct, face-to-face conversations at events were particularly effective to move residents from skepticism toward support. "Once you have a chance to talk to them and explain, you know, what an MPD is, how it work, what the money is used for, then I think they there's a little more trust," Connie Elliott, parks commissioner, said.

No formal action or vote occurred during the study session. Staff said the MPD options and financial scenarios will be presented to council as they are refined and that further outreach will be scheduled prior to any ballot placement.

Clarifying details: staff provided a financial model from Casey and consultants to run levy-rate scenarios; commissioners stressed conservative, single-sheet messaging; outreach tactics discussed include tabling, HOA visits, prerecorded short videos, QR codes and social media.