Council to discuss ballot intiative
During tonight's City Council meeting, a measure will be discussed that would put an amendment to Columbia's city charter up for public vote during the April 6 election.
The amendment would, according to city documents, not allow the city manager to remove or appoint city department heads without the consent of the City Council. The ordinance, if approved, is expected to have an impact on the city's budget.
The amendment is supported by Third Ward Councilman Karl Skala, but his opponent in the upcoming election, Gary Kespohl, said the ordinance would create confusion in city departments.
"But they (city department heads) still answer to the City Manager, and that’s a problem, because they don’t know who they answer to, since the council can fire them,” Kespohl said.
To watch tonight's council meeting, you can either view the live stream on the city's Web site or attend the meeting, to be held at City Hall, located at 701 Broadway. Council meetings begin at 7:00 p.m. and are held once every two weeks.