Tagged: columbia city council

Columbia has increased building permit fees for the first time since 1996. Last Monday, the Columbia City Council approved the fee along with several others.

Columbia has maintained the same fee for all building permits the last 16 years, but with an overworked inspection staff and need for additional revenue, the city decided to raise its permit fee.

The Columbia City Council is considering a ban on possessing fireworks within the city limits.

The proposed law would make possession of fireworks a misdemeanor. The existing law prohibits the sale, manufacture and use of fireworks inside the city.

Columbia Police Sergeant Jill Schlude says existing laws restrict officers’ ability to respond to complaints. Shooting usually stops before they arrive.

“It just became a real issue – that enforcement was close to impossible based on the current language,” Schlude says.

The Columbia City Council has approved an amendment that changes the status of Columbia's Police Captains from classified to unclassified employees. Under the new classification the police captains lose their right to due process and are now "at will" employees under Police Chief Kenneth Burton.

The Columbia City Council passed its budget for the 2013 fiscal year Monday night. Columbia City Manager Mike Matthes says one of the main focuses this year was to try to relieve the general fund by closing the gap between revenues and expenses by a million dollars.

Columbia tenants may see a slight increase in rent in the coming years. City council members approved an amendment to the city code that raises the rates for rental inspections that landlords are required to schedule.  Stanley Diaz owns properties throughout the city and says he might have to raise rates because of the increased inspection costs.