The Covington City Council reversed a decision to deny a cell tower on Monticello Road at its Monday night meeting, voting 4-3 to approve a 169-foot tower rather than a 199-foot tower as originally proposed.

The council rejected the tower 4-3 at its July 15 meeting. Monday, Mayor Ronnie Johnston changed his vote and joined councilwomen Janet Goodman, Hawnethia Williams and Ocie Franklin in approving the tower at 6263 Monticello Road.

After the meeting, Johnston said the tower company, TowerCom V LLC, filed a lawsuit against the city Monday morning, and that the city's attorneys had told council members to expect legal bills of $20,000 or more, with little hope of success, if the tower was rejected.

Johnston said it was a bad idea to fight a legal battle the city likely wouldn't win; nationwide, cell tower companies mostly win cases they're in.

"We won something" with the tower's compromise 169-foot height, he said, "and we're moving forward."