The Columbia City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.
They gave second reading to a couple of ordinances. One was for setting the regular meeting place and time for meetings. Starting with the October meeting they will be starting at 5 p.m. instead of 6 p.m. The second was for setting the ad valorem tax for this year. (This is the eighth year that the tax has been lowered for city residents).
The council opened bids for a new salt building for the city maintenance department. Discussion followed on a new building and/or repair of the current salt location. It was tabled until the next meeting.
The council approved a bid for SBCA units for the fire department. This was an item in their budget.
The council decided to procure two 2023 Dodge vehicles. One was for the City Police Department and the other a vehicle for the ABC officer for the city.
The Columbia City Police Department had 890 calls for service during the month. They issued 64 citations, investigated 32 accidents, and 10 criminal cases were opened.
The City Council authorized application for grant funding for trash receptables for the public square. The also authorized Mayor Hoots to proceed with possible funding opportunities and planning for a sports complex for the city (inclusive of several sports baseball, football, soccer, etc.).
The City accepted the lower quote from an engineering firm for a plan to apply for funding for Watson Street, and Rice Drive. A meeting will be held this week to discuss further.
The Mayor announced that Kentucky Utilities Corporate Office will be in Columbia on Wednesday for a meeting. They are scheduled to start on the transition of all lighting to LED. This includes over 650 lights in the city limits.
The city authorized the Mayor to apply for funding for Burkesville Loop (paving). This will be added to the Patricia Trail and South Reed Street application.
Chief Evan Burton asked that the excess tasers be surplused to give to the Adair County Sheriff’s Department. (The City recently received updated tasers for officers through a donation from the University of Kentucky Police Department). The request was approved.
Mayor Hoots noted that the first application for FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) funding was approved. It was approximately $120,000. The council gave authorization for Mayor to sign and process necessary paperwork.
The City was notified Tuesday morning that the application for the last FEMA cycle has been approved. Columbia was the first application processed in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Trey Stephens, who has been working in the Mayor’s Office, has been working with these projects.
The Mayor noted complaints received on noise from people utilizing the pavilion at the City Park at the Fairgrounds. They will be posting signage relative to the city’s noise ordinance.
The next Pick It Up Day is Wednesday. Twenty pickups have been submitted. This was a project started in Columbia around four years ago; and, has been a success for the residents.
The week of September 8-12 has been proclaimed as Lindsey Wilson University Week in Columbia. Mayor Hoots encourages everyone to support the university this week.
The city will be advertising for fall paving: (portions and/or all) Baker Street, Cole Street, City Park, Knox Street, and Jefferson Alley.
(Mayor Pamela Hoots – City of Columbia)