Articles by Zack Plair
Gaskin plans to roll out proposal for organizational changes
Mark Alexander Jr.’s original plan when he agreed in July to become Columbus’ interim chief operations officer was to work, for free, through Sept. 30.
Mayor pushing for October vote on forensic audit
Mayor Keith Gaskin announced Wednesday he is moving closer to formally asking the city council to approve a forensic audit of city finances.
City earmarks $1.3M in ARPA for employee stipends
Columbus City Council voted 3-2 on Tuesday to earmark $1.3 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds for one-time employee stipends but will not spend that money until the city has clear legal guidance on who exactly can receive it.
Councilman recuses from budget talks over possible conflict
A more than 18-month wait on an Attorney General’s Opinion sidelined a Columbus councilman from discussing and voting on the Fiscal Year 2022 budget.
Columbus approves trimmed down budget
Mayor Keith Gaskin began Wednesday’s final public hearing for the Fiscal Year 2022 budget contrite.
Supes approve budget with pay raises, no tax increase
Lowndes County supervisors on Wednesday approved a Fiscal Year 2022 budget that funded employee pay raises without increasing taxes.
County underfunds LCSD request for second year
For the second straight year, county supervisors underfunded the Lowndes County School District’s ad valorem tax request due to an ongoing court battle over the issue.
$1.5M clerical error upends city budget proposal
A $1.5 million clerical error discovered Monday in the city’s budget proposal left administration with less than 48 hours to fix it.
Council approves tax increase, discusses pay raises
Columbus City Council on Wednesday unanimously approved a 2.87-mill property tax increase for Fiscal Year 2022.
Lowndes seeks EMCC trustees after 2 resign
Both Lowndes County representatives on the East Mississippi Community College Board of Trustees have announced they are stepping down.
Gaskin proposing tax increase to repay debt
Mayor Keith Gaskin plans to ask the council this month to approve a 2.87-mill increase in the city ad valorem tax rate to help fund debt obligations.
Higgins touts major industrial projects coming to area
Most industrial recruitment projects the Golden Triangle Development LINK works on are known to the public only by a nickname before the deals are finalized and announced.
Higgins leaving EMCC board; blames workforce training efforts
Joe Max Higgins plans to leave the East Mississippi Community College Board of Trustees as soon as the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors can find a replacement.
Lowndes supervisors argue over city work, parking lots
In-fighting among Lowndes County supervisors over two minor agenda issues dominated about half of their meeting Tuesday as issues of board protocol and assisting the city of Columbus took center stage.
CLW wants to borrow $8.7M for fiber, other projects
Columbus Light and Water wants the city’s approval to borrow up to $8.7 million for various major electric and broadband infrastructure projects.
Numbers show wage, education gap between CMSD, LCSD
Where you live matters when it comes to educational, career and socio-economic opportunities.
Photo: Eye on crime
Columbus Mayor Keith Gaskin and Police Chief Fred Shelton unveil one of the city’s new neighborhood watch camera systems during a press conference Wednesday at City Hall.
City steps in to improve conditions at apartment complex
Mayor Keith Gaskin stood on the grounds of Cypress Park Apartments on Aug. 1, a Sunday, waiting for good news. It wasn’t forthcoming.
Verdell presents plan for first 90 days at CLW
Angela Verdell officially started Monday as the new general manager for Columbus Light and Water, but she told the utility’s board she feels like she’s been in the position far longer.
Gaskin to recommend forensic audit of city books
Mayor Keith Gaskin plans to recommend a forensic audit of the city’s finances in an effort to get a “clean slate” for his new administration.
