Local Government

The council approved to disburse $951,741 among 20 departments in Columbia, honoring an incentive it had made to return half the unspent funds saved by city departments during fiscal year 2012.

For people with mental illnesses in Boone County, help is scarce and costly. The few treatment facilities have limited funding. That has made the Boone County Jail the default mental health facility for the county. 

Thanks to money provided by the 2010 Park Sales Tax, the water park and other facilities at the Twin Lakes Recreation Area are receiving major improvements.

The Boone County Commission is looking for a project manager to hire from a company that specializes in 911 centers.

Some of the faith leaders recounted stories of church members who had health problems that could be solved by Medicaid expansion.

The water main would be located north of Interstate 70 and just east of U.S. 63.

The Boone County Children's Commission will have nine members who will serve staggered terms. The tax is expected to generate an estimated $5.4 million per year.

Popular flights to and from Orlando, Fla., end after six months. Southwest and United Airlines keep coming up as suggested replacements.

The Parks and Recreation Department releases a summary of progress made on capital improvement projects four times a year.

The lack of charging stations makes it difficult for electric models to gain traction in Columbia.

Columbia's Water and Light Department has proposed using $2 million dollars from its electric enterprise funds to purchase the "shovel-ready" land.

Public Works spokesman Steven Sapp said the city is continuing discussions with airlines including United and Southwest to bring them to Columbia.

The service depends on two city buses running between Hickman High School and Fairview along Broadway and Worley on school days.

In Friday's presentation of the annual performance report, the Mike Matthes revealed hope for a tax increase to fund infrastructure improvements. 

The Citizens Police Review Board, which does regular audits of complaints and concerns filed about police misconduct, said at its meeting Wednesday night that it doesn't have enough access to these files.

Runway and taxiway upgrades will require the city to buy 52 acres, much of it from farmers who have lived in the area for decades.

The EKG indicated that Rep. Chris Kelly did not have a heart attack, according to Kelly's legislative assistant.

Boone is one of many counties in Missouri switching to electronic filing, a nationwide trend. Attorneys and judges say the benefits of electronic filing outweigh the negatives.

Here's a look at the agenda and the actions the council took on various items.