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Covington County authorizes county attorney to draft home-rule proposal, cites HB61 option
Summary
Commissioners voted to give County Attorney Morgan Arrington authority to draft a home-rule proposal for Covington County and to submit it to the legislature; Arrington said the county currently has no home-rule authority and identified HB61 as a pathway for limited local authority.
The Covington County Commission on Jan. 27 authorized County Attorney Morgan Arrington to draft a proposal seeking limited home-rule authority and to forward it to the state legislature.
Chairman Michael Smith said commissioners had received inquiries regarding a carbon-capture project and broader questions about local authority. Arrington told the commission that Covington County currently lacks home-rule authority and that, if the board desires, a proposal could be drafted for submission to the legislature and ultimately placed before county voters if approved. She cited HB61 as an example of legislation that would permit limited local home-rule authority.
Commissioner Ben Courson moved to give Arrington authority to draft the home-rule document; Commissioner Tommy McGaha seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
The vote authorizes legal research and initial drafting; no ordinance or local referendum was created at the meeting. Arrington's draft, if sent to lawmakers, would be subject to legislative approval and, if enacted, a citizen vote as described in the meeting discussion.
