The Columbia Heart Beat

First-ever look at City Hall's mysterious ways

COLUMBIA, Mo 12/13/18 (Beat Byte) -- Despite steadfast resistance from every Columbia City Council member except Mayor Brian Treece , a citizens' group has launched a petition for a state audit of city government. 

The group is seeking volunteers to collect signatures . 

"The State Auditor's Office has given us the green light to request a performance audit," group administrators explain on the Performance Audit Support Facebook page . "We will begin collecting 5,000 verifiable signatures that need to be submitted to them by November 1, 2019."

Persons signing the petition -- which asks Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway for a complete examination of city d...

Section 8 conversion in the works?

COLUMBIA, Mo 12/4/18 (Beat Byte) -- Board members overseeing a City Hall-sponsored low-income home ownership program are split over a move to turn it into a Section 8 landlord .

The Columbia Community Land Trust (CCLT) detailed plans in August and September to enter the low-income rental property business. 

Such plans would "potentially stray from the original mission of the CCLT , to provide opportunity for individuals to build equity in a home," board member Paul Prevo explained at the group's August 14 meeting . 

The public's impression is "that the CCLT would provide homeownership opportunities," particularly in central Columbia, board member Susan Maze added. 

After resea...

COLUMBIA, Mo 11/27/18 (Beat Byte) -- Embattled Columbia police chief Ken Burton has been looking for work since July, an unconfirmed letter to a California-based headhunting firm suggests.

City manager Mike Matthes resigned last week, following city finance director Michele Nix , who resigned in September. 

"I would like to make formal application for the position of Chief of Police in the City of Denton, Texas," the letter -- signed Kenneth M. Burton and dated July 16, 2018 -- explains.  "Throughout my career I have effectively responded to organizational challenges in the eyes of my supervisors, peers, and subordinates, and I enjoy an excellent reputation as a talent...