COVINGTON, Ga. – The Newton County Board of Commissioners (BOC) voted to approve the county’s fiscal year 2018 budget during a special called meeting Tuesday night at the Historic Courthouse. This year’s budget maintains last year’s millage rate of 13.441 but, because of an increase in property tax assessments, will require a tax increase. The new budget gives all county employees, except sworn firefighters and deputies, a 5% percent cost of living adjustment (COLA).