From Mayor Pamela Hoots: The Columbia City Council met on Monday evening (January 5, 2026) in their regular called City Council meeting.
Jenna Glass with Campbell, Myers, and Rutledge, PLLC, the city’s auditors, presented the annual audit. The city received an excellent audit report. She was complimentary of the grant funding and other federal funding the city had applied for and received. There were no negative findings.
The City of Columbia opened bids for a dump truck that will be utilized by the City Gas Department. One bid was received from Don Franklin Ford. The bid was accepted.
Chief Evan Burton discussed changes to the current School Resource Officer Contract. Effective January 1, 2026, the city will be handling the Adair County Primary Center and Adair County High School. Adair County Sheriff’s Department will be responsible for the Adair County Middle School and Adair County Elementary School.
The City had a brief executive session with no action taken.
The City had first reading of a new ordinance pertaining to garbage rates of the sanitation department. This is due to the increases implemented by the transfer station.
The City voted to proceed with action in reference to Synergy Food Group building contract. Any correspondence should be forwarded directly to City Attorney Mike Harris.
The City Council approved for the Mayor to sign for Government Resources Accelerating Needed Transformation (G.R.A.N.T.) funding. This is funding approved in reference to an application the city has with the United States Department of Transportation (Transportation Alternative Program).
The City Council authorized the Mayor to make an application through the Kentucky Economic Development for gas line improvements on Industrial Park Road.
The City Council authorized the Mayor to make an application for funding for a line item through the State of Kentucky for gas line improvements on Industrial Park Road.
The Mayor announced that a Public Hearing would be held on Tuesday, January 20, for a Community Development Block Grant for Community Economic Development.
Photo: City Gas Superintendent Jerry Watson and Terry Moore with Columbia Parks and Recreation were in attendance at Monday night’s meeting. Several gas projects and items were discussed in the meeting.
Photo: Drew Conn, Assistant Chief of Police, Sergeant Jay Wilson, and Chief Evan Burton attended Monday’s City Council meeting. Assistant Chief Conn did an update on the City Police Department’s shooting range and Chief Burton spoke to the changes in the School Resource Officer Contract. Two officers will be funded each by the city and the county.
(Trey Stephens, Assistant to the Mayor – City of Columbia)