Newton County board weighed $2.3M water plant contract; land transfer to Covington on next agenda
Newton County's Board of Commissioners had a full slate of money and land items on its July 7 agenda, including a $2.3 million contract amendment for the Cornish Creek Water Treatment Facility. Because minutes have not yet been published, the county record does not yet confirm which items were approved; the following reflects what was scheduled for consideration.
Board of Commissioners — July 7
The agenda listed a $2,326,380 amendment to the Carter & Sloope contract for the next phase of Cornish Creek Water Treatment Facility construction. Also on the agenda:
- A $285,331 grant acceptance for the Newton County Superior Court/Adult Drug Court from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council.
- Annual legal services agreements for Juvenile Court appointed attorneys, not to exceed $256,890.
- A budget transfer of $187,312 to complete the Historic Jail Project.
- A future land use and rezoning request at 1042 Woodlawn Rd., changing the Future Land Use Map from AF to RR and zoning from A to A-R for a family conveyance.
- A new Staff Attorney position for Probate Court at $126,000.
A separate July 7 agenda entry shows the board was set to enter executive session to discuss litigation, with routine procedural items surrounding it. Minutes for both July 7 agendas are not yet published.
Solid Waste Authority — July 9
The Newton County Solid Waste Management Authority was scheduled to review June 2026 landfill tonnage reports and the financial status report for month 12 of fiscal year 2026. The agenda also included a Newton County Landfill permit update and consideration of a request for proposals (RFP 26-07) for a waste excavation screen purchase. Approval of minutes from the June 11, 2026 regular meeting was also listed. Minutes are not yet published.
Coming up
- **July 21 — Board of Commissioners (special meeting):** A special called executive session to discuss litigation. The session is not open to the public.
- **July 21 — Board of Commissioners (regular meeting):** The board will consider Resolution R-072126a to convey county-owned real property to the City of Covington. Other items include proposed fire services fee schedule revisions presented by Chief Royce Turner; a Break the Cycle Counseling & Consulting, LLC services contract of $91,352 for July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027; a Juvenile Justice Incentive Grant award of $96,217 for FY27 from the CJCC; a first-reading on-premise consumption license for T's Event Center, 3281 Salem Road; repeal and replacement of an ordinance on motion-picture productions; and two zoning appeal cases.
- **July 23 — Board of Commissioners and Planning Commission (work session):** A joint work session on the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) update, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Admin Building, 1st Floor Large Conference Room, 113 Usher Street, Covington. No decisions or votes are indicated on the agenda.
Note: All recent meeting summaries above are based on agendas only; official minutes have not yet been published, so outcomes are not yet confirmed in the record.