Roll call

The City's newest employees City council convened around 9 am Wednesday, June 11, on the third floor of City Hall. Council member E.W. Cromartie was absent, and council members Anne Sinclair and Tameika Isaac Devine had to depart at 9:35, leaving four members: Daniel Rickenmann, Sam Davis, Mayor Bob Coble, and Kirkman Finlay III.

Budget

Finlay and Rickenmann voted against, and the rest voted for the proposed budget, which includes a 3.8 mils tax increase. State law allows city tax increases based on percentage gains in population and inflation, but no more. Also, if the city didn't take the maximum tax increase allowed this year, the next tax increase could not refer back to this year and pick up what was not taken. In other words, if the spenders don't raise taxes this year to the maximum allowed by state law, the year is lost. The budget was adopted, and the final approval is expected June 18, the next regular city council session.

Coble predicted a far more detailed discussion of the budget at the June 18 meeting.

Kirkman Finlay III Rickenmann voted against the budget because the city- hired CPAs couldn't sign off on the numbers - too inexact, too questionable.

Finlay shared the same concerns. Finlay was particularly incensed at the sound of the previously unheard $20,000,000 health- care expense that surfaced last Wednesday for the first time. Finlay warned council they might be looking at about $35,000,000 in total unexpected cost items once the books are deemed up to date. Legal defense and legal settlement together appear to be in record cost territory. Finlay suggested the only available targets for cost reduction could be upper and middle management in the city's organization chart.

Future budget review

Finlay introduced a motion to adopt the policy as of October 31 for a monthly budget review to prevent sticker shock on the order of what was presented last Wednesday. The motion passed unanimously. August retreat

Council plans an August retreat after the books are finished for the fiscal year that ended in June 2007. By then, Coble said, business consultant Cathy Novinger and the city's Business Advisory Group should have promising directions to offer city council and City Manager Charles Austin.

Dr. Dorothy Gallman Water and sewer

With Finlay voting against, council approved a 5% hike in water and sewer rates. Steve Gantt, assistant city manager, reported the increase was necessary to follow through on a continuing $350,000,000 capital improvements program.

Coble shared the unhappiness of the people in northeast Columbia who have to suffer water restrictions this summer because of construction delays in their 48" water line. The city diverted water and sewer money for other purposes while the 48" feed to the northeast was already in demand.

"Hydrogen: The fuel of the future - and probably always will be." - Former city council member Hamilton Osborne

Jim Gambrell, economic development officer for the city, explained the use of the city's $50,000 being contributed to the Fuel Cell Collaborative for purposes of answering the Fuel Cell Challenge. Gambrell assured council the complete commitment by the city was it's $50,000.

Wendy Peters Safe approaches to schools

Similar to what is working for Rosewood Elementary, Carver Lyon Elementary asked for city support of its Safe Routes to School grant request. Pr incipal Dr. Dorothy Gallman, Wendy Peters, and Gerry Lynn Hall asked for a letter of support from the city, and they wanted the city to act as the agent organization in requesting and handling the federal funds involved. Council agreed.

Next meeting

Council meets at 9 am, Wednesday, June 18, at City Hall, third floor.

Gerry Lynn Hall Jim Gambrell Daniel Rickenmann