Columbia Mayor Pamela Hoots presented the annual State of the City address during the Columbia Adair County Chamber of Commerce meeting Tuesday.
Hoots highlighted major infrastructure improvements, economic development, grants, community growth and special projects that occurred in 2025.
Among the city’s most significant accomplishments in 2025 was the expansion and completion of several gas line projects. A new regulator station was installed for additional business and residential coverage and as a backup for gas at the school system. Almost 45,000 feet of new gas line was installed, and 80 new services were connected. There are currently seven grants the city is working on for the gas department.
Hoots said the city has been approved for Government Resources Accelerating Needed Transformation funding, commonly referred to as GRANT. This funding offsets the amount the city must match on a grant and reduces it down to 3 percent.
Hoots said one of the most visible successes has been social media presence. Each month her mayoral page gets up to 2 million views. One weather-related post acquired over 6 million views.
“This has amazed me to no end,” said Hoots.
“I had Martina McBride share one of my posts; Martina McBride, I’m serious,” she said with excitement.
Hoots recognized Lindsey Wilson University, which officially transitioned from a college to university in 2025. Lindsey had a record number of graduates last year. They plan to build a new golf center this year.
Several new businesses opened and others expanded last year, another indicator of economic growth.
Hoots explained the responsibilities of the city’s various departments and recognized all of the employees for their hard work and commitment to Columbia.
“The sanitation department, honestly, I don’t think get the accolades they deserve,” she said. “They work every holiday, they work no matter what the weather is they are out there working in it; they do a phenomenal job.”
“I just want to give them accolades today,” said Hoots.
The City Sanitation Department serves all the businesses and residences in the city limits.
The Columbia City Police Department provides 24-hour patrol for the city. They received grants last year to purchase body cameras, computers, drug trailer, gun safes and range equipment. A grant was also awarded to the city for a new police recruit. Hoots said the city has applied for a grant to provide a resource officer for Lindsey Wilson University.
A building was purchased for the Columbia City Street Department with a community facilities grant through the USDA. This was a major upgrade from their previous location. Not only do they maintain the streets, but the department also picks up approximately 1,000 pickups of brush and limbs per year and installs road tiles for citizens.
The city holds annual events each year and is always looking for new things to offer the community. Events include back to school bash, paint the town, Spirit of Columbia Awards and a film festival.
Hoots said she is looking forward to continued growth and economic development this year. She and the staff at City Hall are always looking for ways to improve the city or offer more events for the community, she said.
By Amy Pike
amy@adairvoice.com
