Columbia City Council approves multiple contracts, encroachment ordinances and a $215 million waterworks bond

Columbia—s City Council on an undisclosed November 2025 date approved a package of consent, contract and ordinance items, including a bond ordinance authorizing up to $215 million in Water Works and Sewer System revenue bonds, a construction contract for the Olympia Fire Station, and multiple water-system construction awards.

The council voted to authorize an ordinance (2025-093) that permits the city to issue up to $215,000,000 in revenue bonds for the Water Works and Sewer System to refinance outstanding indebtedness and finance capital projects. City staff explained the request breaks down roughly as $50 million for new capital projects in the capital improvement program, about $150 million for potential refunding of existing bonds and up to $14 million to cover issuance costs. A city staff member summarized the proposal: "So tonight's bond request is for a total of $215,000,000," and explained the allocation among new money, refunding and issuance costs.

Council also approved a construction contract for the Olympia Fire Station (project CP108001) awarded to Reeves Young LLC in an amount not to exceed $10,675,489, which the city said includes contingency. The council approved a separate construction award for the East Rocky Branch Improvement (project SS733701) to Park Construction of North Carolina Inc., not to exceed $16,145,273.76, with a 730-day project term noted by staff.

On the utilities program side, the council approved contract amendment number 4 for project SS7644 with CDM Smith Inc. for professional services tied to the city's consent decree and capital improvements program, in an amount not to exceed $3,850,000; staff described this as the second of five option renewals for continuing oversight and project management tied to EPA-driven compliance work.

The council took first reading and approved encroachment ordinances granting use of right-of-way areas for property owners in separate items (Ordinance 2025-092 for 411 Hardin Street and Ordinance 2025-097 for locations on Kilborn and Deborah Roads). It also approved a zoning map amendment for 5003 Rhett Street on second reading and several resolutions authorizing street dedications and an extension of a 9-1-1 consolidation agreement with Richland County.

Roll calls were held for each formal motion and, where recorded, the council voted in favor of the items listed above. The meeting minutes record affirmative votes for Council members Mister Bailey, Mister Brown, Doctor Bustles, Mister Brennan, Mister McDowell and Mayor Daniel J. Rickman on the major items noted.

What happens next: Items approved that require implementation (construction contracts, bond issuance and conveyances) will proceed to their administrative and procurement steps as outlined in staff reports; the bond issuance will require final underwriting decisions and market timing before sales and refundings occur.