Back To News | Back To The Issues
The Issues
An Eventful First Year on City Council
June 29, 2009
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
A year ago today I was preparing to assume my seat on Columbia City Council. It has indeed been a year of dramatic changes in our nation, state, and city. We have experienced traumatic economic shocks that have shattered the dreams of millions, witnessed an historic national moment with the election of our dynamic new President, and have seen our state now hold the dubious distinction of having the 3rd highest unemployment rate in the country.
City Council has spent much of the past twelve months confronting unacceptable past fiscal management practices. We also have accepted the retirement of our City Manager and passed a budget for 2009/2010 that reflects new thinking about the operations of our municipal government. While none of this was predictable last June, my faith and confidence in the future of our city have only deepened as I complete this first year on City Council. Let me share with you some of my thoughts and bring you up to date on various matters.
Setting Our Financial House in Order
As I settled into my new duties last July, the realities of the City's past years of financial mismanagement had begun to unravel. There were no audits for the 2005-2006 and the 2006-2007 years, and Council had not received monthly financial reports.
Over the next several months as these audits were completed, the magnitude of past mistakes in fiscal accounting became readily apparent. I learned about millions of dollars of depleted cash reserves, unanticipated health care costs, and unacceptable accounting practices that resulted in double and triple payment of bills. Two Council meetings last winter particularly stand out in my mind -- one when our Auditor told us that his firm had been paid twice for services rendered and the other when Council received the first full monthly financial report!
City Council has spent much of the year addressing these past deficiencies. There now are qualified and experienced accounting staff directing the City's financial operations, the necessary financial control systems are in place, and a fully engaged City Council will ensure that this will not happen again. The 2006 and 2007 audits are posted on the City's website (the 2008 audit should be completed in July), along with full monthly financial reports.
The 2009/2010 Budget Is in Place
With the reality of our financial situation in clear view, Council made critical decisions to reduce expenses in this current year budget and to address necessary changes for the 2009-2010 budget year. Council approved changes in heath care costs that require contributions from employees and retirees. It communicated the expectation for cost efficiencies in every city department. Let me be clear: This City Council has poured over the 2009-2010 budget requests with highlighter pens in hand, looking for every possible way to reduce unnecessary expenditures. The new budget focuses on basic municipal services and functions and it will be monitored by Council and staff as never before.
Five Points Parking
Shortly after assuming office I requested that Council establish a special committee to consider the unique parking requirements in the historic Five Points village. Under the able leadership of Columbia attorney and former Shandon Neighborhood president Susan Lake and with representatives from area businesses and surrounding neighborhoods, the Committee began its work in late August. Recognizing the need for reliable and conclusive data to ensure responsible policy recommendations, the Committee secured approval for a comprehensive parking study to provide much needed clarification on parking issues.
Wilbur Smith and Associates, the unanimous committee choice to conduct the study, submitted its final report to the Committee Wednesday night. In a nutshell, we now have for the first time a confirmed number of needed spaces on a block-by-block basis; a determination that new parking arrangements focus on employees, rather than on customers; a recommendation for scattered arrangements, instead of one central garage, and documentation for improved safety and security features in Five Points. The Committee will be forwarding recommendations to City Council shortly, and I will be closely working with staff and others in the coming weeks to implement parking and safety recommendations.
Around District 3 and the City
One of the most rewarding aspects of City Council service is the opportunity to meet and work with great residents who make tremendous contributions to life in our city. I am awed by the work of neighborhood, community, and business leaders who understand that each of us has a critical role to play in shaping and defining our city.
In recent weeks I have attended neighborhood meetings in the Pinehurst area, where residents are busily making plans to provide each neighborhood child with a school supplies and book-bags for August; joined neighborhood residents in Edisto Court in Rosewood who have labored long for the Edisto Court Discovery Park for area children that was dedicated and opened last Saturday; participated with residents and tourists in the Columbia Green Garden Tour that showcased the city's beautiful Forest Hills and Tanglewood neighborhoods; worked with neighborhood leaders in Rosewood to address quality of life issues; and experienced the moving historic marker dedication for one of our city's most significant churches, Bethel AME.
One of the highlights of the past few weeks was the opportunity to assist with the special conference on the history of South Carolina women at USC spearheaded by Shandon resident Dr. Marjorie Spruill and Forest Hills resident Dr. Valinda Littlefield. The conference provided important new understandings about the experiences of South Carolina women and highlighted the remarkable activities of several District 3 women including Chief Justice Jean Toal, educator Fannie Phelps Adams, attorney Victoria Eslinger, and community leader Keller Barron. Forest Hills neighborhood president Barbara Rackes provided additional support in her role with the Southeastern Institute for Women in Politics.
Looking Ahead to My Second Year
My second year begins July 1 and among the key issues I will be working with fellow Council members to address will be safety and security and the selection of a new City Manager. It is a fact that if our neighborhoods and business districts are not safe, nothing else that we do will matter. 
Public safety expenditures now constitute over half of our general fund budget, and to ensure the best delivery and coordination of our services, we approved Interim City Manager Steve Gantt's recommendation to elevate the director of our 911 emergency operations, Mr. Mike King, to the position of Assistant City Manager for Public Safety. A graduate of the FBI National Academy, Mr. King brings a solid record of leadership in law enforcement and safety planning. Council also will be focused on the selection of a permanent City Manager and has secured the Mercer Group from Atlanta to assist us in this process. I believe that it is critical that we find someone experienced and credentialed in municipal governance to lead our city administration. Council is committed to providing citizen input in this process, and I welcome your thoughts and input. Other issues in 2009-2010 will include addressing the needs of our city's homeless, improved bus transit, strategic planning, stimulus funding projects, and a host of initiatives to ensure the continued vitality of our city.
As I reflect on my activities over the past year and on the changes in our nation, state, and city, I remain confident and optimistic about our future. Our past deficiencies in the city government are being addressed, and our citizens continue an exemplary tradition of service to our city. Please know that I deeply appreciate your input and ideas. I hope that you will communicate with me often and visit my website at www.BelindaGergel.com for updates on my activities. By the way, I now have a page on Facebook and welcome you as a "friend".
I wish you a wonderful and safe July 4th celebration and look forward to seeing you in the near future.
Sincerely,
Belinda Gergel
Columbia City Council, District 3 Representative