Tagged: columbia city council

Columbia's  city council members have approved funds to purchase an Armored Personnel Carrier for the Columbia Police Department.

The Department plans to replace its current vehicle with the Lenco BearCat, at a cost of about $200,000. Council members approved the appropriation at Monday night's city council meeting.

Columbia Police Chief Ken Burton said it is essential to have such a vehicle in case of gun violence.

The three candidates vying for Columbia’s fourth ward seat have different priority issues and disagreements on governing and budget spending, but what incumbent Daryl Dudley and challengers Ian Thomas and Bill Weitkemper have in common is the desire to make Columbia better and serve its residents.

Karl Skala and Gary Kespohl are very familiar with each other.

Both are squaring off for the Third Ward Council seat of Columbia.

However, this will be the third time in the last three elections they have gone against each other.

The new "incentive budgeting" technique has resulted in a $1.9 million surplus in the City of Columbia's budget. City council members discussed Monday ways the money could be spent, including street and sidewalk repairs, the J.W. "Blind" Boone Home renovation and adding more wheelchair accessible entrances.

The council did not vote on any measure, but said it agrees on rewarding the city for saving money.