By Kelsi Langston

For the Miami Valley Today

COVINGTON — During the final village council meeting of the year this week, Covington Mayor Ed McCord took a moment to honor three outgoing council members.

McCord reflected upon the length of their commitment to the village and the various ways they have served during that time. Lois Newman served on the council for eight years, as did councilman Bud Weer. Scott Tobias was a member of the council for 20 years. McCord declared resolutions honoring each of them and gave them all a “Key to the Village” as a symbol of appreciation for their dedication to the village of Covington.

In their closing remarks, all three echoed the privilege they felt in being able to serve the community as council members. Weer stated, “Hopefully we’ve moved the village forward, and I wish all the new council members all the luck in the world.”

In other news, the council approved several ordinances and resolutions including the adoption of the 2022 budget. They voted to waive the three-reading rule in favor of approving several other measures by the end of the year, including a resolution for the settlement between the village and a resident over disputed property, as well as a resolution authorizing the village to sell obsolete equipment to an employee.

The council also waived the three-reading rule for an ordinance that will allow for the conversion of a loan to a transfer of funds. In 2018, the village of Covington authorized a loan from its general fund for the purchase of a trash truck. The new ordinance will allow the loan to be converted to a transfer of funds so that it does not show up as additional debt in next year’s budget and will simplify village finances. The ordinance was approved after its first reading.