The Columbus City Council officially approved the creation of a public relations director position for the city.
Councilmen voted unanimously on the matter Tuesday evening, after a brief discussion.
Mayor Robert Smith said the concept originally arose about a year and a half ago. The council tabled it at the time because there wasn’t any room for the position in the budget. Recently, Smith said, a councilman approached him about bringing the position back to the full council for consideration.
“I think it’s a needed position and I ask the council that they would consider approving this position,” Smith said.
Ward 6 Councilman Bill Gavin quickly motioned to approve the position, with a second from Ward 4 Councilman Marty Turner. Ward 2 Councilman Joseph Mickens asked them to slow down, though, and questioned how the city planned to pay for the position. Smith said officials discussed a salary range of $38,000-$42,000.
Smith said the city could draw from its general funds to pay for the position.
Gavin said he had some proposals to pay for the position that wouldn’t require the city spend any extra money. He declined to elaborate at the table.
After the meeting, Gavin told The Dispatch that his proposals involved personnel issues and he wanted to wait until the proper time to present them. Whether the city adopted them, he said, is up to the rest of the council.
“It may be a good idea or it may be a bad idea,” Gavin said. “That’s for the rest of the council to decide. I’m just going to present it.”
Overall, Gavin said he supports the city hiring a public relations director.
“In light of what has happened in the city in the past year, it falls incumbent on us that we hire somebody who has professional experience in dealing with the news media, whether it be the television, newspaper (or) social media,” Gavin said. “I think it’s a very important position to get the facts out to people. I think it will allow us to look a little bit more transparent to the public.”
Smith said the city will begin advertising the position on Thursday or early next week. The city will take applications for 30 days
Special election date set
Councilmen formally approved an election date to fill former Ward 5 Councilman Kabir Karriem’s seat.
The election will be held on February 16, with a runoff set for March 1, if needed.
Only registered Ward 5 voters can run for the seat. Potential candidates must collect 50 signatures from registered Ward 5 voters in order to qualify. Only Ward 5 residents can vote in the election.
The qualifying deadline is 5 p.m. Jan. 27.
Chief Administrative Officer David Armstrong said candidates can see city registrar Brenda Williams to qualify.
Councilmen make $17,500 annually.
Karriem vacated his seat at the end of December to begin his term representing District 41 in the Mississippi House of Representatives.
Alex Holloway was formerly a reporter with The Dispatch.
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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 47 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
