At the regular monthly meeting of the Columbia City Council Monday night, the first reading of the 2025-2026 budget was given. With that budget, city employees will each receive a 5 percent pay raise beginning July 1.
Also included in the budget are a new police vehicle, replacing the salt bin due to damage from one of the recent storms, two small gas projects, and a 7 percent increase in the cost of employee insurance.
The council also took action to amend the current year budget. The city is expected to receive more than $1.5 million through payroll tax, $170,000 through alcohol taxes, $1.3 million in licensing and permits, which includes an insurance tax, and $576,000 from property tax.
The sanitation department is expected to end the year with around $45,000 in more carryover than the previous year, and the gas department’s funds are expected to decrease by $110,000, still leaving a carryover of just under $1.5 million.
The budget requires a second reading, which is expected to be voted on in a special called meeting later this month.
Council Votes to Support Tourism Mixer
The council discussed a request for sponsorship from the Adair County Tourism for a tourism mixer, which the city helped sponsor with a $300 donation.
Council member Sharon Payne opposed the sponsorship because the event includes alcoholic beverages, citing deaths allegedly as the result of drunk driving. Payne also questioned if the city would have liability by being a sponsor. City Attorney Mike Harris advised the council that there would be a “very slim possibility” that the city could be held accountable if any unforeseeable incidents occurred due to the event.
“I do not feel it is a good decision for us to give any of our taxpayers money for a mixer,” said Payne. “What if someone were to consume too much alcohol and there is an accident is my concern.”
Dr. Ronald Rogers, council member, said he thinks that “we are splitting hairs here if we say we are not going to sponsor it because they are serving alcohol, but we sell alcohol license here for alcohol to be sold and we take revenue from that.”
The council voted to approve the $300 sponsorship 5-1 with Payne being the only opposition.
Sidewalk Project Moves Forward
Mayor Pamela Hoots informed the council that engineers would be in Columbia this past Tuesday about the grants which could provide funding for sidewalk installation from the corner of Greensburg St. and Dillon St. to Indian Drive, across Walker Street left on Hudson to the intersection of Burkesville St., and repair sidewalks in front of the Post Office.
Hoots said that the school district does not have the funding available to continue the sidewalk at Indian Drive to the high school, but the grant could include the school’s portion if the school district gives the city permission and provides an easement. A motion was made to apply for the grant, which passed unanimously.
School Resource Officer Contract Being Changed
Mayor Hoots advised the council that there would be a change to the School Resource Officer contract for 2025-2026.
“I have spoken with Mr. Faulkner this afternoon and this year they will have all retired officers, and the school will pay overtime that they approve, and overtime will have to go directly through the schools. They are working all of that out.”
The state allocates $20,000 to each school to pay the salary for a school resource officer. This money is given to the department that employs the officer to help pay the salaries.
Council member Rhonda Loy asked for clarification on the salaries. “So we will pay them $9,000 plus the Kentucky Law Enforcement Foundation Program Fund?”
This fund, known as KLEFPF, pays each officer $4,429 annually as long as they complete ongoing training and maintain their certification. Mayor Hoots affirmed what Loy stated.
Rogers asked about the overtime. Mayor Hoots replied, “My understanding is they are going to meet with every principal at every school and let them know what the procedure is going to be and what they are going to pay. We will give them the names of any officer who wants overtime and they will cover it.”
Mayor Hoots said the school would let them know what they approve and then they will send the school a bill.
“That is currently what we are looking into, and that is the primary change to the contract. Other than that, everything else is the same,” said Hoots.
The council also discussed an economic development grant that could potentially bring anywhere from 20-60 jobs, but no further details were provided.
The city is also working on grants for new sensory equipment at the city park, the new regulation station, and a COPS grant that would pay for another officer. The city will also receive money from FEMA for any expenses occurred due to the storm.
By Amy Pike
amy@adairvoice.com
