Newton County tables $15,000 reimbursement for Covington warming shelter after residents report lapses
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Summary
After multiple public commenters described poor conditions at a Covington warming shelter used last winter, the Newton County Board of Commissioners voted to table a request to provide up to $15,000 on a reimbursement basis and directed county staff to inspect the site and return with recommendations at the next meeting.
The Newton County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 4, 2025 tabled a request to provide up to $15,000 to the City of Covington on a reimbursement basis for a warming shelter after several residents described inadequate conditions at the facility used last winter.
Denise Williams, a Newton County resident, told the board she was “up here to speak on item number 21. That’s the warming shelter,” and said the previous operator “put the people out at 04:00 in the morning with nowhere to go” and failed to provide the meals required by the RFP. Alaina Sanders, another resident, said she had video and photo evidence and described an absence of a sign-in sheet, which she said made it impossible to know whether family groups or children were present. Maya Allen, also a resident, described the site as “a repurposed auto shop with inadequate installation, in in, unaccessible bathrooms.”
Commissioners and other board members expressed concern about the shelter’s operational history and oversight. Commissioner Long said she wanted to see the facility and asked that the board not simply provide funds “to something we don't know what it looks like” without first reviewing conditions. Commissioner Mason said she favored the county running or directly overseeing a warming shelter rather than partnering without control, citing reports that last year the warming shelter provided porta-potties and required residents to travel elsewhere for meals and showers.
Commissioner Cooper moved to table the funding request and direct the county manager and the facilities director to inspect the proposed site and confer with the City of Covington; the board approved the tabling motion and set a return for the next regular meeting (two weeks). The motion to table superseded the prior request for a reimbursement fund and leaves the $15,000 request in abeyance pending staff findings.
County Manager James Brown said the request was for a reimbursement arrangement and that staff would return with an MOU if the board decided to proceed. Several commissioners urged the manager and facilities staff to coordinate with the city and community organizations and to report back with clearer operational details and oversight recommendations.
The board’s action was procedural only: it paused consideration of county funding and ordered a site review and further intergovernmental discussions before any county money is disbursed.
