Columbus City Council adopts road plan, approves vehicle and technology purchases, OKs fire-district agreement and other measures

The Columbus City Council on Sept. 15 approved a slate of resolutions, purchases and bid authorizations affecting city infrastructure, public safety equipment and downtown revitalization.

Major approvals included adoption of the city's 1- and 6-year road plan (Resolution R25-121), purchases of police patrol vehicles and in-vehicle computer systems, authorization to advertise bids for a new municipal well, and an interlocal agreement covering fire and emergency medical services with the Columbus Rural Fire Protection District. The council also adopted the schedule of city fees for fiscal year 2026 and awarded community development block grant funds to Columbus Bank and Trust Company for downtown revitalization.

On equipment purchases, the council approved a $155,631 purchase from Anderson Auto Group for three police patrol vehicles (CIP 21-O50607). Acting Chief Brett Strecker told the council that vehicles are "hot seated" (shared across shifts) and that the department replaces cruisers after about 100,000 miles because maintenance costs increase. "In order to keep our fleet current, we have to keep purchasing vehicles," Strecker said.

The council also approved a $238,511 purchase from Bryte (CIP…