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Covington council approves budget transfers, equipment purchases and traffic change
Summary
At its Dec. 2 meeting the Covington City Council approved intra-fund transfers, adopted ordinances including mutual aid for the fire department and repeal of a four-way stop, authorized radio and equipment procurement and approved a personnel hire; most votes were unanimous.
The Covington City Council on Dec. 2 approved a set of routine but operationally significant actions, including intra-fund transfers to address budget deficiencies, ordinances affecting public safety and traffic, and purchases needed for public-safety and public-works operations.
Mayor Crain and five councilmembers convened and first approved minutes from prior meetings. The council adopted Resolution 2024-6, which allows transfers within fund categories (General, MVH, Park & Recreation and others) across line items (100–700) to correct current appropriation shortfalls; Councilmember Smith moved the resolution and Councilmember Martin seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.
The council also adopted Ordinance 2024-15 authorizing the city’s participation in the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System for fire response; Councilmember Martin moved the ordinance and Councilmember Easter seconded, with a unanimous vote. Separately, the council approved Ordinance 2024-16 to repeal the four-way stop at Railroad, Sunset and 9th Street; Councilmember Smith moved and Councilmember Easter seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.
Public-works and public-safety procurement were a focus. Superintendent KC Smith presented quotes for a new Vactor IMPACT truck and two Elgin Regen sweepers and told the council the City can finance on five- or seven-year plans. Attorney Powell advised the City must advertise for bids; the council authorized staff to advertise for bids and directed that, if no competitive bids are received, staff may proceed with the provided quotes and finalize financing.
Police Chief Foster presented quotes for replacement radios and told the council the equipment must be in place before 2026; RA-Comm, Inc. quoted $31,311.36 and the vendor noted a 6–8 month lead time. Councilmember Smith moved to purchase the radios and Councilmember Easter seconded; the motion carried 5-0.
Personnel and operations items included approval to hire Keaton Fye as a Class C employee effective Dec. 2, 2024, at $18.45 per hour; Superintendent KC Smith made the request and the council agreed. Fire Chief Kagels and Bart Crowder reported one tanker was out of service and that the remaining tankers are approximately 17 and 30 years old; they also reported interest among younger residents in joining the department when eligible.
At the Board of Works meeting, Mayor Crain and councilmembers voted to pay claims and approved a transfer of $85,000 from the Wastewater Operating Fund to the Wastewater Utility Construction-in-Progress Fund; both motions carried 3-0. At a subsequent Dec. 16 Board of Works meeting the board again approved paying claims and granted a wastewater billing adjustment for a customer named Perkins.
Votes at a glance - Resolution 2024-6 (intra-fund transfers): motion by Councilmember Smith; second Councilmember Martin; outcome: approved, 5-0. - Ordinance 2024-15 (mutual aid for fire department): motion by Councilmember Martin; second Councilmember Easter; outcome: approved, 5-0. - Ordinance 2024-16 (repeal four-way stop at Railroad/Sunset/9th): motion by Councilmember Smith; second Councilmember Easter; outcome: approved, 5-0. - Police radios purchase (RA-Comm, Inc., $31,311.36): motion by Councilmember Smith; second Councilmember Easter; outcome: approved, 5-0. - Public-works equipment (Vactor and sweepers): council authorized advertising for bids and to accept provided quotes if no bids are received; motion by Councilmember Copenhaver; second Councilmember Martin; outcome: approved, 5-0. - Board of Works transfer ($85,000 to wastewater CIP): motion by Councilmember Easter; second Councilmember Randles; outcome: approved, 3-0.
Why this matters: The transfers and equipment purchases affect the city’s ability to maintain roads, wastewater treatment and emergency communications. The radio purchase includes a lead time that requires timely ordering, and the Vactor/sweeper procurement will affect street-maintenance capacity. Attorney Powell will review a separate subdivision-fees question raised during public comment to determine whether fees remain payable after annexation.
The council adjourned after routine reports; staff will advertise the public-works bids and pursue the ordered purchases and personnel actions.
