[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6542242,"mediaKeyId","3642939-41b2881fd3ef79bb931a14a4c6970be6","parentId",3642939,"title","Columbus City Council approves several agenda items; Liberty District master plan adopted","audioSeconds",968,"startMs",1818000,"endMs",2786000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3642939-41b2881fd3ef79bb931a14a4c6970be6&start=1818&end=2786","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3642939-41b2881fd3ef79bb931a14a4c6970be6/thumbnail_1818000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6542242/Columbus/Muscogee-County/Georgia/Columbus-City-Council-approves-several-agenda-items-Liberty-District-master-plan-adopted","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6542242-72d8ccd3501def45a600e5a081b4ffed/orig.mp4?Expires=1770449776&Signature=E5yjVKZdXHTgrPAXtfnIkAYi7ysTrKP8drD7ILzyxbRqFyYA59nwwlpfjjRpkh8CBvr3ZeX3g28N-tLnenxEWlVQcJ9BjhDEq7h-FBimrjYBqvb5WHWsN3FJYrL4VL4wdwKjUR7t3uDG0~OgfTcUCeIZuc8b4m60I1CNWxPhk5fqd-zE2pZz~MTEy3SOO3y-~alBsA09y5l7cSiCayV4SKVA5jeXaqiPGsFz8qpcA2I8q6-Wpb6oZBXlQFDYsUiIkwwOh1cwNu66DqHto6t4TEEjRRDyyNOpXHhsRK5FHowpn-rLrmkjGWHGFfFH6cNHEy4ZsnfnnJMpa0OubXlOHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Columbus","date","2025-06-04T00:05:56.663Z","article","Columbus City Council voted on several agenda items June 3, approving an agreement with a river nonprofit, adopting a district master plan, awarding construction and service contracts, and confirming multiple board appointments.

On a motion and second, the council approved a memorandum of agreement with Chattahoochee Riverkeeper to place and maintain trash-trap devices on local creeks and tributaries. Henry Jacobs of Chattahoochee Riverkeeper described statewide river monitoring, floating-classroom education and the local partnership with Columbus State University.

The council approved the Liberty District Master Plan as a conceptual plan. Deputy City Manager and planning staff described the plan as conceptual and subject to change with future development; funding sources mentioned included SPLOST and Liberty funds and anticipated private fundraising.

The council rescinded a prior award and approved a contract with Skyline Construction Services of Eatonton, Georgia, for the Muscogee County Jail roof project in the amount of $520,120 after the previously selected bidder withdrew for failing to meet warranty requirements. Council also approved two annual service contracts: alcohol management services at the Columbus Civic Center and Liberty Theater with Ovations Food Services, and traffic incident management and towing services with Griffin and Griffin Towing.

Other actions: the council approved the fire chief's request (item 1), took votes to receive minutes of May 27, excused Councilor John Anker's absence, and confirmed several council and mayoral appointments including Rhonda Davis (deferred compensation board renomination), Michael Breuder (audit committee reappointment), Chandler Paget (Board of Family and Children Services), Kille Ladenny (Youth Advisory Council), and Jim Rutland (River Center representative to the Columbus Sports & Entertainment Authority). Several other appointments were continued to a future meeting.

Items postponed or slated for next meeting: annual pension plan contribution items for general government and public safety (items 4-7) and several non-operating fund items including offsets to residential low-income waste rates were held for vote at next week's meeting.

Why this matters: the adopted Liberty District Master Plan sets a conceptual framework that staff said will guide future property dispositions and development proposals; the jail roof contract and service agreements are financial commitments that will move forward under the approved vendors.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Columbus Ga. City Council Meeting 06-03-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved a memorandum of agreement with Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, adopted the Liberty District master plan, awarded the Muscogee County Jail roof contract to Skyline Construction Services for $520,120, and confirmed several appointments and routine purchases.","taxTitle","Columbus, Muscogee County, Georgia","taxId",4892,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6542247,"Residents demand transparency after council's removal of city manager; call for public forums and legal action",4482,643000,5125000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3642939-41b2881fd3ef79bb931a14a4c6970be6&start=643&end=5125","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3642939-41b2881fd3ef79bb931a14a4c6970be6/thumbnail_643000.jpg","/articles/6542247/Columbus/Muscogee-County/Georgia/Residents-demand-transparency-after-councils-removal-of-city-manager-call-for-public-forums-and-legal-action","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6542247-5b709a263d92874001e0c9e5b0548263/orig.mp4?Expires=1770449776&Signature=WUtB0qHPvfaqijkP7xIpNADE~7lZzVG9OUjcAyKEU~u~JBOhiOzFHc7VANOFxlt6eXUVR~sVKgKBdhCsjS6uYgwRQmbexLR~05wtxGcbqzmJrx1RpBKtJ2bRUWYwxBjvWLgmK1la8f7xaW1HGShmAgFHk-g4kWXaqlhAvcaaJoFVr0O0v6ZW5gskwyh5pFASsRzMNmXeQTp3bYG~ILeytFgGTtCRZmgWe5MfnsaGUnXA8bxnAlnDSiWR~wr9Ztu7uwpjt49CT46sglGCULOQx7POuySZhX0~CALUm8EjdAHc~qawWVXRyjBcmaD9wx4T9q7zs7enbKduelInlqByeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents used the public comment period at the June 3 Columbus City Council meeting to criticize the council's recent vote to remove the city manager and to call for greater transparency and public forums.

Marvin Broadwater Sr., who identified himself as a private citizen from Columbus, said the dismissal was \"100% wrong\" and urged council members who voted for the dismissal to meet with their constituents. \"If you are not afraid, we ask you to hold a public meeting,\" Broadwater said. He asked councilors to stop \"hiding behind the charter\" and to listen to the public across all districts.

John Fitzpatrick Jr., who said he formerly served as a chief deputy with the Muscogee County Sheriff's Office, also criticized the council's action and characterized the removal as part of a longer-term plan. Fitzpatrick said he expected civic engagement and possible legal challenges and that young people would seek council seats in response.

John Scott, a property owner who said he had been in Atlanta earlier in the day, referenced rising utility costs and urged the council to find alternatives to raising taxes, suggesting a criminal audit by federal authorities as a means to locate missing funds; that audit suggestion was offered as an opinion by a public commenter and was not an action proposed or endorsed by the council.

Council members did not take action on the city manager's removal during this meeting; the comments were part of the public comment period. Several speakers asked the council to hold district-level public forums so more residents can be heard outside standard meeting hours.","Multiple residents used public comment to criticize the council's recent removal of the city manager, call the dismissal \"wrong,\" request public district forums and warn of legal challenges.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6542251,"Columbus holds second Taxpayer Bill of Rights hearing as FY26 operating budget proposed at $394.6 million",4294,301000,4595000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3642939-41b2881fd3ef79bb931a14a4c6970be6&start=301&end=4595","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3642939-41b2881fd3ef79bb931a14a4c6970be6/thumbnail_301000.jpg","/articles/6542251/Columbus/Muscogee-County/Georgia/Columbus-holds-second-Taxpayer-Bill-of-Rights-hearing-as-FY26-operating-budget-proposed-at-3946-million","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6542251-c899dcd9c56e8841b04bdfc874623326/orig.mp4?Expires=1770449776&Signature=bLQbGV0IlHkS4CJ6k4mjKxEbF3FDoObFpVkE2DOfyqNvXEMLnNOF2YLF3RI8IFBvIMmjsAhuaYqRCcjo-f4FNagGJN2WpzI4pMMLhhDcp8B~4691aorJ6~grkVLkRky-i~ezE9fo2dCljSwChpOBVwKktgNf1uaPzKs50QdEbZvq92HvxRErmTdcJqT92RNCzzBn-msHiR2IWLJqBK2MmRd7xCm5ftDPc2HOj4GngJQ7nlyUpJQNDnid4Lejb-ge-znhGDa2~F6B2ZJZ~Z08cauCMIxuSgF7Vns-A5L2B-oOb8ZUDSFppJ7FY50L2PBVwi35Froa3jCM2TG8uDCaJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Columbus City Council held the second of three Taxpayer Bill of Rights hearings on June 3 as the city presented a proposed FY26 consolidated operating budget of $394,618,281.

The hearing, required by state law when a tax digest is expected to yield more total revenue than the prior year, featured an overview from Finance Director Alexander and an explanation from the county tax assessor about reassessments, homestead exemptions and how taxpayers may appeal valuation notices.

Finance Director Alexander said the consolidated operating budget total is $394,618,281 and noted the city's reserve stood at about 86.79 days. The city reminded the public that this meeting was informational; the council will vote on the budget at the regular meeting next Tuesday at 9 a.m.

The tax assessor explained that reassessments drive changes in individual bills even when the city's millage rate remains unchanged. She described the distinction between fair-market value (used in sales-ratio studies) and the local frozen value that applies to qualified homestead exemptions, and she outlined the appeal process and deadlines. Notices of assessment were mailed May 19; the appeals period closes at 5:00 p.m. on July 3. Taxpayers can file appeals online via Qpublic (qpublic.net/ga/muskogee) or deliver a mailed appeal that must be postmarked by July 3.

Speakers in the public comment period raised questions about the clarity and timing of outreach. Marvin Broadwater Sr. urged the council to hold more public forums and said some residents cannot attend 9 a.m. meetings. He asked the council to consider at least one Saturday session next year so working residents can participate. Another speaker urged the city to provide clearer notice of how a reassessment affects final tax bills and requested additional outreach for renters who may face higher costs as landlords pass on tax-related expenses.

Council members and staff emphasized several clarifications: the city's portion of the millage remained unchanged; reassessments may lead to higher bills only for properties without a frozen homestead or for homesteaded properties that have had qualifying improvements (for example, additions that change a property's footprint). The tax assessor described how sales-ratio studies and neighborhood-level sales drive targeted reassessments.

The city also reminded residents that certain homestead types (standard homestead, age/income-restricted exemptions and veteran exemptions) carry different rules and exemption amounts; veterans with qualifying VA letters may be eligible for a substantial assessed-value exemption. The assessor noted a new legislative window allowing some late homestead filings to be accepted during the appeal period for properties purchased in the prior January.

Why this matters: reassessment and appeals can cause confusion for homeowners and renters who say they face rising living costs. Councilors encouraged residents who see an unexpected increase to contact the assessor's office, use the online appeal tool or, if needed, file a formal appeal by the July 3 deadline.

The council did not take a final budget vote at the hearing; a vote is scheduled for the next council meeting at 9 a.m. next week.","Council held the second of three required Taxpayer Bill of Rights hearings on the proposed FY26 operating budget of $394,618,281. Finance staff and the tax assessor explained reassessment, homestead exemptions and the appeals process; council set a final budget vote for next week.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Columbus City Council approves several agenda items; Liberty District master plan adopted

Residents demand transparency after council's removal of city manager; call for public forums and legal action

Columbus holds second Taxpayer Bill of Rights hearing as FY26 operating budget proposed at $394.6 million