Tuesday evening the Columbia Board of Aldermen passed the new budget for the upcoming fiscal year beginning Oct. 1. All five aldermen voted in favor of the budget.
The board also approved the purchase of a Massey Ferguson tractor at the state contract price of $38,400. The city traded in an older tractor and received $28,000, which was the fair market value. The board also approved the purchase of a grapple.
Fiat Lux LLC received a variance approval to renovate the former boarding house that is situated on the same property The Round Table once was on Church Street. The variance allows the company to convert the building into two apartments, one upstairs and the other downstairs.
ER Assist was approved to enter into a contract with the city to help with the administrative and consulting service work relating to seeking funds for disaster related expenses. As the cost of the services are reimbursable, there will be no cost to the city for the work. Two of the areas the services will be used are the February 2020 flooding of the Pearl River and also the coronavirus pandemic.
Approval was received to transfer Donneil Fortenberry to full-time dispatch. The resignation of Kayla Allen as a dispatcher was approved. Dispatcher Amanda Howell was approved to a merit pay increase due to being a certified dispatcher.
With police officer Sgt. Justin Porter being promoted, the board approved a merit pay increase for him.
Jamie Lambert submitted a resignation from the fire department that was approved.
Alderman-at-large Edward Hough made a motion for the front doors to City Hall be opened again to the public. Alderman Jason Stringer seconded the motion. Aldermen Mike Smith, Wendell Hammond and Anna Evans all voted against the motion.
Hough also made a motion to require masks be worn by anyone entering City Hall and by employees coming into contact with other people. The motion failed to receive a second.
All three local emergencies were renewed, including the Pearl River flooding, the April 19 flash flood and tornado and for COVID-19.
