Covington city officials want to make next year’s July 4 fireworks event bigger and better, and Covington Mayor Ronnie Johnston said the goal is to put together a $20,000 show.

Robert Foxworth, a former Porterdale council member and local business owner, has helped the city raise money for fireworks the past few years, routinely raising several thousand dollars, and this year the Covington City Council voted to match his efforts dollar for dollar, up to $10,000.

The city has agreed to spend a minimum of $15,000 on this year’s fireworks, at the suggestion of Councilman Chris Smith, who said the city won’t be able to book fireworks companies without having a minimum guaranteed amount. He said companies are able to add to their fireworks show proposals, should the total amount of money exceed that.

Covington used to hold a fireworks show annually with Newton County, but the county pulled its half of the funding in 2009 because of budget cuts and ongoing budget concerns. The city brought fireworks back to downtown Covington in 2011 and has gradually upped its funding to make the show bigger.