About eighteen months after the City Council nixed the Columbia Police Department’s request to add the Fusus video-sharing system to the department’s crime-fighting resources, residents are being asked to weigh in on the possible use of Flock Safety technology. CPD hosted a series of public forums on August 14 and August 15 to explain the technology and to get feedback from the public.
Much of the early feedback focuses on privacy concerns and how to ensure police won’t store video or use it for other purposes. In short, the Flock cameras would read license plate numbers and alert police when a stolen car or a vehicle owned by a person with an arrest warrant is on the city’s streets. The most important distinction between Flock and Fusus is that the Flock system records only license plate numbers. The Fusus system allows law enforcement officials to connect with video systems that monitor local businesses so that investigators can view suspicious activity in real-time or as recordings.
COMO’s city council nixed the Fusus request in late 2023. Police Chief Jill Schlude has proposed adding the Flock system for Columbia. Roger Johnson, Boone County’s prosecuting attorney, has said that MU police use similar technology for parking enforcement without stirring privacy issues. Residents have a chance to leave comments about the proposed system at BeHeard.CoMo.gov through September 10.
Water Bills Will Go Up 4 Percent Starting October 1
The City Council gave a unanimous thumbs-up to a 4 percent hike in base fees for water utilities beginning October 1. The rate increase is expected to generate some $1.6 million for Columbia Water and Light’s budget in fiscal year 2025, which also begins on that date. How much will 4 percent add to monthly business and residential water bills? Based on an average monthly water usage of around 8,500 gallons, that amounts to an extra $2.58 per monthly bill, staff has said.
The Water and Light Advisory Board designed the proposed rates to implement a revenue increase to maintain adequate cash reserves and to meet the utility’s debt coverage requirements. COMO’s water utility serves more than 51,000 customers.
Speaking of the budget and FY 2025 …
There’s still time to weigh-in on the city’s proposed $550 million budget, which is on track for council approval on September 16. City Manager De’Carlon Seewood presented the budget on July 25. The budget especially emphasizes infrastructure, public safety, and affordable housing. The proposed budget calls for spending that exceeds revenue by some $20 million.
Rapid Fire Recap
Brian Schaeffer was sworn in as the city’s new fire chief and Valerie Carroll was sworn in as the city council’s First Ward rep on August 19.
Residents and business owners can give feedback on the city’s proposed five-year Sewer and Stormwater Integrated Management Plan. The plan will outline funding priorities for wastewater and stormwater work in Columbia. Visit CoMo.gov/IMPsurvey to learn more.
The city of Columbia and Boone County are partnering to host a housing summit from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, October 24, at Memorial Baptist Church, 1634 Paris Road. The summit is intended to bring the community together to learn about local housing-related plans and determine next steps to address affordable housing. To learn more, visit tinyurl.com/4xezhpww.
And Finally: Some Sweet News
Broadway Diner now has a pie chart. But not a chart with numbers and lines. It’s an actual pie chart: Apple, cherry, pumpkin, peach, pecan … you get the picture. The iconic downtown eatery has added a pie shop featuring creations that are sweet and delicious with scratch-made crust. Pies must be ordered online at least four days ahead. Drop by the diner to learn more or visit the shop at http://broadwaydinercomo.com/pies.
