The Columbia Board of Aldermen made more than 20 appointments to various boards during its Feb. 4 meeting.
Those included bodies that manage zoning, historic preservation, schools and the airport.
Aldermen began with the Planning Commission, a seven-member body that deals with zoning changes.
The members will rotate out at different times. The board appointed Judy Ward for three years, Cora Johnson three years, Martha Whitehead one year, Allison Foxworth two years, Sheila Burbridge three years, Dakota Ryals one year and Cole Oglesbee two years.
The Certified Local Government (Historic Preservation) Board is also a seven-member board that deals with buildings and renovations in the Historic Preservation District. The committee works with the Department of Archives and History regarding renovations to structures for reasons including special tax incentives and to confirm renovations and constructions stay true to the Historic Preservation standards. Members will serve in staggering term lengths. Appointed to serve include Lori Watts three years, Cheryl Bourne two years, Dorothy Oliver three years, Paris Schepemaker one year, Judy Griffith three years, Reed Houston two years and Tammy Johnson one year.
The Board of Adjustments is a five-person panel dealing with variances. If there is a zoning ordinance issue the board would have to approve the use requested. Anything before the Board of Adjustments involves a public hearing with the members making its recommendation to the Board of Aldermen for final approval. Those selected to serve include Shelton Ball one year, Donald Watts two years, Tommy Ward four years, Mike White three years and Maggie Ingram five years.
Aldermen also reappointed Eric Lucas to the school board and Ricky Dyess to the airport board.
The board voted to provide a 4% raise to employees who make less than $30,000. The raises will average out to a $0.45 an hour increase. The additional hike in pay will cost the city a total of $40,000 more a year. At first Alderman-at-large Edward Hough made a motion to take it under advisement but that motion died for lack of a second. Another motion was made to approve the raises, and the motion was approved with all five aldermen voting to give the raise.
“We have some guys with a lot of time (working for the city) and it’s worth being really proud to hang on to them,” Mayor Justin McKenzie said.
Board hires included John Webster as a tractor operator and Tyrone Peters and Kevin Alford as members of the park crew.
The board approved sending City Clerk Maria Temples to Bay St. Louis for a spring conference for $165 plus a hotel room March 25 through March 27.
The next board meeting will be held Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 4 p.m.
