The Covington City Council unanimously voted to stop funding for the 2050 Plan’s Baseline Ordinances Tuesday.

“I don’t think it’s in the best interest of Covington to continue funding the Baseline Ordinances, along with the county and water and sewer authority,” Covington Mayor Ronnie Johnston said. “We committed $150,000 for three years, and we’ve spent $85,000 so far. I propose a motion to stop funding additional funds.”

The city of Covington, the water and sewage authority and Newton County were part of a collaborative effort helping to fund The Center for Community Preservation and Planning in constructing Baseline Ordinances as part of the 2050 Plan. However, the Newton County Board of Commissioners recently voted to stop funding the center’s efforts for the Baseline Ordinances and move the planning into its own planning and zoning.

Councilwoman Hawnethia Williams asked why the BOC decided to stop the funding.

Johnston replied in the best way he said he knew how, “I have no clue.”

“I believe the reason why they did it was relatively largely due to the uprising of the community that had some concerns for the 2050 plan, instead of grinding it out and seeing if we could make changes to have a plan for the community. It was resolved at the county level to take it out of The Center and put it in the hands of the county.”

The vote was unanimous 6-0 to stop any further funding to The Center for the 2050 Plan Baseline Ordinances.