Columbus councilman Charlie Box is expected to request that his colleagues adjust the final deadline for items to be added to an agenda during today’s recess meeting.
While the state’s Open Meetings Act does not forbid councilmen or a mayor from adding items to a policy agenda before approving the amended version, Box said he would like more time to review the merits of each item before each meeting.
Agendas presented to the public just before each meeting have had additions to them from the versions sent in advance to councilmen and local media. Examples include the consideration of creating a project manager position and staffing J5/Broaddus on July 2. On June 19, an item for discussion and approval of pay raises for councilmen was requested to be placed on the policy agenda just before it was passed. Councilmen approved the raise before rescinding it July 2.
“I felt like we were adding stuff at the very last minute and the idea was to try to develop some transparency so people would know what we’re going to do,” Box said. “There is an Attorney General’s opinion that says city councilmen can add anything to the agenda at any time up to the meeting. I want to respect that, but I hope… to find some type of compromise so a city councilman can add what’s important but not abuse that privilege by trying to add something when you get there that night.”
The board is also expected to hold a public hearing and adopt a final resolution of its loan agreement with the Mississippi Development Authority for Trotter Center renovations, discuss placing all-way stop signs at the intersection of Fourth Street and Seventh Avenue South and review bids for Friendship Cemetery maintenance.
The council meets 5 p.m. at the municipal complex.
Nathan Gregory covers city and county government for The Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.