The Columbia City Council met in a short but productive special called meeting Tuesday. In the two-minute time span, the council heard the first reading to set tax rates for 2026 and approved a new grant application.
Council members Mark Harris, Hannah Peck, Sharon Payne, and Ronald Rogers were present for the meeting. Craig Dean and Rhonda Loy were absent.
The first reading was held to set the ad valorem tax rate at the compensating rate of 16.2 cents per $100 assessed property value. The compensating rate allows the taxing entity to receive close to the same revenue as the prior year on the same property. This is a significant decrease from 18.6 cents in 2025.
A second reading is required for the rate to be official. With the passage of this year’s tax rate, it will be the ninth year in a row that it has been lowered.
The value of new property in the city limits of Columbia has increased over $30 million this year.
“We have been so fortunate with the new property coming into the community,” said Mayor Pam Hoots.
The council also voted to authorize the mayor to request an economic development grant from the Kentucky Development Finance Authority. If received, the grant will help finance a gas line on Industrial Park Road.
