Columbia Borough Council voted Dec. 23 to hire two temporary/entry staff to address upcoming vacancies and retirements.

Council approved hiring Jim Williams as interim assistant/manager from January through April 2026 for up to 25 hours per week at $45 per hour. Council discussed Williams’ prior service as borough manager in other jurisdictions and county-level interim work; supporters characterized Williams as experienced and recommended the short-term engagement to bridge staffing until a permanent manager is hired.

Separately, the council authorized staff to hire Eli Krause for a full-time police-officer position at a starting salary of $60,000. Staff said Krause would attend the police academy starting in January, and the hire is intended to backfill several scheduled retirements (a January retirement and additional retirements later in 2026). Council members asked whether contractual step increases would apply and staff clarified the $60,000 figure is the starting salary before step progression.

Both motions passed by voice vote. Council directed staff to complete background checks, civil-service testing and the other standard pre-employment procedures for the police hire.