Columbus councilmen on Tuesday terminated the employment of office support clerk Katrina Porter, one week after she and her husband were arrested and charged with one count each of fraudulent use of an ID.
Porter, 32, was hired in December. Like many newly-hired city employees, she was added to city staff on a probationary period. Chief Financial Officer Milton Rawle recommended her hire before councilmen approved it during their Dec. 17 meeting. Columbus Police Department Criminal Investigations Secretary Latasha Key told The Dispatch after her arrest that she and Derrick Porter attempted to use a fraudulent card at Walmart.
As with all city personnel matters, discussion was held in executive session. When the board returned to open session, city attorney Jeff Turnage said personnel matters had been discussed but no action was taken. Turnage confirmed after the meeting that the council had taken one action, which was to terminate a probationary employee in city administrative staff.
Katrina Porter received a bond of $2,500, while Derrick Porter received a $3,500 bond. Their hearing date is set for March 6.
No action was taken on two other personnel matters discussed during the one-and-a-half-hour executive session.
In other business, the board:
■ Approved an accreditation report and revised standards of cover document for Columbus Fire and Rescue;
■ Agreed to an easement transfer on Port Access Road from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers so work to straighten a curve in the road can begin;
■ Approved a resolution adopting the IRS compliance policy for all tax-exempt debt;
■ Changed the speed limit on Beech Street from 30 to 20 miles per hour and approved funding for signage marking the new speed limit and a children’s crossing;
■ Approved a resolution to apply for grant funding through the Mississippi Development Authority’s HOME Investment Partnership Program after holding a public hearing;
■ Transferred $70,771.22 in cost overruns for the Old Highway 82 Bridge renovation and Columbus-Lowndes County Airport projects from the general fund to special funds and;
■ Approved a resolution allowing West Point and Clay County to share a board appointment on the Golden Triangle Regional Airport board.
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 33 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
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 33 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
