MINUTES
COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING
APRIL 28, 2006
A Special Called Meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia was called to
order at 9:02 A.M., Friday, April 28, 2006, in the Council Chambers, Government
Center, Columbus, Georgia. Honorable Robert S. Poydasheff, Mayor, and
Honorable John J. Rodgers, Mayor Pro Tem presiding.
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PRESENT: Present other than Mayor Poydasheff and Mayor Pro Tem John J. Rodgers
were Councilors R. Gary Allen, Glenn Davis, Berry Henderson, Julius H. Hunter,
Jr., Charles E. McDaniel, Jr., Nathan Suber and Evelyn Woodson. City Manager
Isaiah Hugley, City Attorney Clifton Fay and Deputy Clerk of Council Sandra
Davis were also present. Councilor Evelyn Turner Pugh took her seat at the
table at 9:04 a.m.
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ABSENT: Councilor Wayne Anthony was absent. Clerk of Council Tiny B.
Washington was also absent.
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INVOCATION: Offered by Mayor Pro Tem John J. Rodgers.
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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Mayor Poydasheff.
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MAYOR?S PRESENTATION OF THE FY-07 RECOMMENDED BUDGET:
Mayor Poydasheff noted that the reasons for the Special Called Meeting is
for the presentation of the Mayor?s budget to the Council and the City Manager
would request an executive session on a personnel matter.
Mayor Poydasheff reported that the proposed budget for the 2007 fiscal
year totals $191,408,136, up 3.53% over the budget adopted for fiscal year
2006. He pointed out the early preparation that began last year for this
year?s budget. He spoke of the challenges as being opportunities in the
careful handling of taxpayers? dollars. In this budget, he determined that
there would be a reduction of services and personnel cuts, but provides for the
partial implementation of the University of Georgia pay plan. He said that the
business leaders recognized the need for the plan and funded it, and the
Administration committed to begin the implementation whenever the opportunity
became available. He maintained that employee compensation is addressed across
the board with special emphasis on our public safety personnel. He recalled
that the Council has always supported public safety personnel and recognized
their position in this City. He noted that the City Government provided an
additional $200.00 above the 5% bonus that was given to the City employees to
recognize their hazardous duties.
He spoke of the transformation that Columbus would be experiencing with
the Base Realignment And Closing (BRAC) plan for Ft. Benning. He mentioned the
expansion of AFLAC and other industries. In addition, he recalled a
conversation with the Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army, who spoke
of the vitality of strategic planning in working hand and glove with the Ft.
Benning planners, because they would be expending approximately $1.3 billion
within the next three to five years. He said unless we plan for the influx of
approximately 30,000 people, the City would be lost.
Mayor Poydasheff announced that the local economy is showing signs of
recovery. He advised that the positive trends combined with fiscal restraints
and discipline have enabled the Administration to include in this budget funds
to begin the implementation of the University of Georgia pay plan. In light of
the future growth and demands for services, the Administration has included in
the budget an allocation of $600,000 to help the City with plans for smart
growth and the preparation of changes to come mainly due to BRAC. He explained
that many families would be living off-post with the bulk coming to reside in
Columbus and others moving into surrounding communities.
He reported that the tax rate for funding this budget remains the same at
17.91 mills in Urban Service District 1. He stated that there are no proposed
increases in garbage collection rates. He contended that the proposed
implementation of the compensation study is at 92% of the market and does not
require money from the general fund balance; however, the Administration may
present one-time expenditures that would be taken from the fund balance. He
explained that this budget would increase the starting salary of qualified
public safety personnel to $28,528 with the educational incentives being
retained. He added that there would also be longevity consideration. He
anticipated that these improvements would enhance the recruitment of qualified
individuals to serve and protect the community. With these positive budgetary
developments, he maintained that some positions would not be funded or
eliminated, fee schedules were increased, social service agencies? allocations
were reduced and health insurance rates were increased. He insured the
employees that the pension plan is fully funded to the tune of $17 million. He
said the City ambulance would increase its capacity.
He spoke of the weeks to come as the Council reviews the impact of
decisions reflected in this budget. He mentioned that this budget is open for
discussion and debate among the members of Council and the citizens of
Columbus. He advised that the budget review meetings would be televised this
year as it was last year. He pointed out that this budget is fiscally
responsible and progressive to move Columbus forward.
In conclusion, he thanked City Manager Isaiah Hugley, Finance Director
Angela Cole and her staff, as well as, the department heads and other city
employees. He mentioned that the Council has provided some invaluable advice,
and he is grateful for that. With our community partners, he maintained that
we must reinvest, reinvigorate and reenergize to maximize this city?s
opportunities and ensure its continued success. He added that City Manager
Hugley would be fully discussing this budget?s overview starting next Tuesday.
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EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Mayor Poydasheff recalled that City Manager Hugley was requesting an
executive session to discuss personnel. Councilor McDaniel made the motion to
allow the Council to go into executive session. Seconded by Councilor Woodson
and carried unanimously by those nine members present for this meeting.
At 9:13 a.m., the Council adjourned its regular session to allow the
Council to go into an executive session.
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At 9:35 a.m., the regular meeting was reconvened, at which time, Mayor
Poydasheff pointed out that the Council did meet in executive session to
discuss a personnel matter, but there were no votes taken.
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SEPARATION BENEFIT PROPOSAL:
Mayor Poydasheff asked for a motion to approve the separation benefit
proposal as presented by the City Manager. Councilor Henderson so moved.
Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers and carried by a vote of eight to one with
Councilor Suber voting no and all other eight members present voting yes.
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With there being no other business to come before this Council, Councilor
Woodson made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Councilor Allen and carried
unanimously by those nine members of Council present for this meeting with the
time being 9:36 a.m.
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Sandra T. Davis
Deputy Clerk of Council
The Council of Columbus, Georgia
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