Tuesday, July 11, 2023

Referendum protest in Columbus

The Columbus City Council voted 4-2 on May 17 to approve a $4.4M parks renovation plan centered on Propst Park. 

The council resolved to use $1.4M the city had on hand from tourism tax collections, while borrowing the remaining $3M and repaying the debt with future tourism tax revenue. 

The interest and fees on the debt will come to about $1 million, city CFO Jim Brigham said. Forcing a referendum on the bond issue requires written protests from at least 1,500 registered voters in the city limits be presented to the city council by July 18. 

Formal petitions seeking signatures opposing the city borrowing the funds for Propst Park upgrades began circulating July 10. One is available to sign at the front desk of City Hall. 

Ward 6 Councilwoman Jacqueline DiCicco drafted the petition following advice she received from the Stennis Institute of Government at Mississippi State University. (The Dispatch 07/10/23) Formal petitions against $3M park bond circulating city - The Dispatch (cdispatch.com)

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