Four of 11 charter amendments approved by Covington voters

Covington voters approved just four of 11 home rule charter amendments Tuesday, with about 56 percent of registered voters participating.

Changes approved were:

• Voters overwhelmingly approved the establishment of a code of ethics. The amendment passed with 60 percent or 2,307 votes in favor to 1,583 votes against.

• The city will have to advertise and submit written proposals for contract services. Voters approved the amendment 2,012, or 52 percent, to 1,863, or 48 percent.

• The Mayor’s Court judicial system will stay in place. Voters approved this measure by 55 percent, or 2,099 votes, to 45 percent, or 1,734 votes.

• Referendum limits were approved by 55 percent, or 2,117 votes, to 45 percent, or 1,739 votes. Only one stand-alone election may now be called per year, and no more than three issues may be proposed at one election.

Changes that failed were:

• The first amendment failed, so no time limit will be set for ordinances to be signed or vetoed by the mayor. The vote on this amendment was 53 percent, or 2,170 votes against, and 47 percent, or 1,947 votes for.

• The second amendment requiring confirmation of department heads by the City Council at the start of each mayoral term failed 54.5 percent, or 2,134 votes, to 1,785 or 45.5 percent.

• The failure of amendment three will not allow the City Council to hire its own attorney. The vote was 1,963 against and 1,943 for.

• The establishment of a separate planning department for the city was defeated by a vote of 55 percent, or 2,147 against, to 45 percent ,or 1,755 for.

• An amendment that would set a limit on how much money the mayor could transfer from one account to another within a department’s budget was also defeated. Currently, the mayor can transfer funding in a line item within a department without the council’s approval. The status quo will be maintained with the vote of 53 percent against the change, or 2,045 votes, and 1,817 vote, or 47 percent, approving the change.

• An amendment requiring the city to incur debt and issue evidences only in accordance with the laws of the state. This measure was defeated by a vote of 2,420, or 62.6 percent, to 1,444, or 37.7 percent.

• Procedures for elector initiative and referendums also will not change. A mere 27 votes, 1,910, or 50.3 percent, to 1,883, or 49.6 percent, caused the amendment to fail.