Covington council approves Citizen and Honorary Citizen of the Year; directs plaque and memorial options for Ariana Sabino

The Covington City Council voted on June 23 to name Robera Brooks Citizen of the Year 2026 and to designate Ariana Lynn Sabino as the citys 2026 Honorary Citizen.

Council members spoke in support of Brooks for volunteer leadership across Rotary, the community learning garden and other local nonprofit work. Multiple members praised Brookss behind-the-scenes organizing and fundraising.

Council also discussed ways to honor Ariana Sabino, who is being offered an honorary-citizen recognition. Options discussed included a plaque mounted on an existing park bench, naming a roundabout or new road feature, renaming or dedicating a sports field, and presenting a proclamation at an upcoming meeting. Council agreed to move forward with a plaque (a temporary plaque or substitute could be used for a near-term ceremony while a bronze plaque is produced) and asked staff to investigate the roundabout naming process and coordinate details with the family, who are expected to attend the July meeting for a proclamation.

Council members noted timing considerations: the family indicated they may be moving to Puerto Rico after September, and bronze plaques can have long lead times, so staff may prepare a temporary marker for an earlier ceremony if the family would prefer a sooner recognition.

The council did not yet commit to renaming any official street signs; staff clarified that the city can place an additional nameplate or install a dedicated sign at a roundabout or city-managed feature without formally renaming a public street in county/postal records. Council directed staff to return with recommended locations, cost estimates and draft plaque text for future action.

Robera Brooks and Ariana Sabino were both presented to council by motion and approved by voice vote.