My Vision for Covington

Rick Smith for Mayor — Protecting Our Heritage, While Improving Our Future

Covington isn’t just where I live, it’s home. I’m running for Mayor to protect what makes our city special while planning responsibly for its future. Molly and I have lived on East 20th Avenue for 33 years, where we raised our family and sent our children through Covington schools. My experience on both the City Council and Parish Council has given me a clear understanding of how decisions at every level impact our community.

My priorities are clear: keep Covington a safe and responsive city, maintain and improve critical infrastructure, and support local businesses that drive our economy. At the same time, I am committed to fiscal responsibility, enhancing quality of life through arts and community events, and ensuring city government is accessible and responsive to its citizens. I bring the experience, leadership, and local knowledge needed to guide Covington forward—protecting our heritage while improving our future.

“The future of Covington is at a pivotal point. The decisions we make in the years ahead will shape our city for generations, and that’s why experienced, thoughtful leadership matters now more than ever.”

- Rick Smith

Economic Growth & Supporting Local Businesses

Our local businesses are what make Covington unique, and they deserve a city that actively supports their success. As mayor, I will focus on promoting Covington as a regional destination while making downtown more accessible and easier to navigate. That means implementing a practical plan to increase parking, improve traffic flow, and exploring creative solutions like a downtown shuttle to connect visitors to our shops, restaurants, and events. By making it easier for people to visit and enjoy Covington, we strengthen our economy and support the businesses that define our community.

  • Actively market Covington’s businesses across the region to drive more visitors

  • Implement a plan to increase parking capacity

  • Improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety with smarter street design

  • Make downtown more accessible with one-way streets, diagonal parking, and improved lot access

  • Explore a downtown trolley/shuttle system to connect parking areas with key destinations

  • Support local businesses by making it easier for customers to get here and stay longer

  • Continue and maintain involvement and communication with Covington Business Association in which Rick has been involved with since its inception

Safe &
Responsive City

Safety is one of the reasons people choose to live and raise a family in Covington, and we must protect that. As mayor, I will continue to support our strong police and fire departments while building on the success already in place. That means maintaining excellent leadership, strengthening partnerships with the Parish Sheriff, and addressing everyday concerns like neighborhood speeding and street safety. A safe city isn’t just about responding to emergencies—it’s about being proactive, visible, and committed to protecting our quality of life.

  • Maintain and support strong, well-led Police & Fire Departments

  • Build on the success of Chief Michael Ferrell and current leadership

  • Keep Covington safe by proactive policing and community presence

  • Crack down on neighborhood speeding and unsafe driving through enforcement

  • Ensure the next mayor understands the importance of supporting and possibly selecting the right Police Chief

  • Strengthen coordination between local PD and the Parish Sheriff’s Office

Maintain & Improve Current Infrastructure

Maintaining and improving infrastructure is one of the most important responsibilities of city government in Covington. From roads and drainage to water, sewer, and sidewalks, these systems directly impact our safety and quality of life. As mayor, I will build on the progress already made by continuing to leverage grants and smart budgeting, while focusing on long-term maintenance and planning. With experience on both the City and Parish level, I understand what works and what doesn't when it comes to infrastructure, and will ensure Covington stays ahead of these challenges.

  • Prioritize road repairs, drainage, and utility infrastructure

  • Continue using grants and smart funding strategies to maximize resources

  • Address aging water and sewer systems with long-term planning

  • Improve sidewalks for safety and walkability

  • Maintain and clear drainage canals and ditches to reduce flooding risks

  • Bring City + Parish experience to make informed infrastructure decisions

Priority Four

Fiscal Responsibility

Fiscal responsibility starts with respecting taxpayers and making smart, disciplined decisions for Covington. As mayor, I will prioritize balanced budgets, eliminate wasteful spending, and ensure every department is operating efficiently. With over a decade of experience on the City Council Finance Committee and currently serving as Vice Chairman on Parish Council, I understand how to manage budgets, evaluate departments, and make responsible, financial decisions that protect our community without unnecessary tax increases.

  • Maintain balanced budgets without unnecessary tax increases

  • Conduct efficiency reviews across ALL city departments

  • Eliminate wasteful spending and improve accountability

  • Make sure every tax dollar is used effectively

  • Bring real budget experience from City & Parish Council

  • Focus on smart, disciplined financial leadership

Quality of Life for
Covington Residents

Quality of life is what makes Covington truly special, and that includes not just clean, safe, and well-maintained spaces, but a strong commitment to arts, culture, and our historic identity. As mayor, I will focus on beautification, investing in parks and public spaces, and continuing to support our vibrant events and creative community. Cities that value artists, whether culinary, musical, or visual, create stronger, more connected communities. By supporting the arts and preserving our historic districts, we can continue to enhance the character of Covington while improving everyday life for our residents.

  • Invest in beautification: clean streets, landscaping, signage, and lighting

  • Maintain safe, well-lit public spaces and parking areas

  • Support and expand arts and culture (music, culinary, visual arts)

  • Recognize that strong arts communities = higher quality of life

  • Maintain and upgrade parks and playgrounds through smart partnerships

  • Continue supporting concerts, festivals, parades, and community events

  • Preserve and protect historic districts and Covington’s unique character

  • Ensure safe, family-friendly, and well-managed event growth

Accessibility & Great “Customer Service” for Citizens

City government should be accessible, responsive, and easy to work with. In Covington, every resident deserves to feel heard and supported. As mayor, I will prioritize a culture of “customer service” across all departments, where responsiveness, communication, and accountability are the standard. I will remain personally accessible, continue open lines of communication, and hold regular town hall meetings to ensure residents always have a voice in their city.

  • Create a customer service culture across ALL city departments

  • Ensure responsive, transparent, and respectful communication

  • Provide direct access to the mayor (call or text availability)

  • Hold regular town hall meetings to hear directly from residents

  • Encourage open engagement and feedback from the community

  • Use communication to identify problems early and improve processes

“As my campaign progresses, these priorities will continue to be refined and expanded based on community input, ongoing conversations, and the needs of Covington.”

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