Covington Voters Asked To Rededicate Tax

COVINGTON, La. (AP) — Covington voters will be asked on Nov. 6 to rededicate revenue from a one-cent sales tax.

The Times-Picayune reports it's a move that would allow about $3.75 million collected by the city each year to be used for police protection and city hall operations.

Mayor Mike Cooper said Monday voters are not being asked to increase the city's sales tax, only to change how money generated by the tax is used.

Cooper says the police department and some city hall operations are currently not getting enough dedicated revenue and have been running on surpluses, which have dwindled.

Cooper said the one-penny sales tax was originally dedicated specifically for streets and drainage, but the needs of the city have expanded over the years.