The Columbia Heart Beat

"Can and should be replaced"

 

COLUMBIA, Mo 8/13/18 (Beat Byte) -- Retired assistant City of Columbia utility director Jim Windsor harshly criticized city manager Mike Matthes at last week's Council meeting for fiscal irresponsibility and "mediocre management" driving away top employees. 

"As a taxpayer and ratepayer, I don't want mediocrity," Windsor -- a recent retiree after over thirty years at City Hall -- told the Council .  "I don't believe the City Council wants mediocrity, either."

Windsor blasted Matthes for repeating a baseless claim -- that City Hall can't afford pay raises in an era of declining sales taxes.  Instead, low pay is part of a city compensation policy Council members passed five yea...

 

COLUMBIA, Mo 8/7/18 (Beat Byte) -- Columbia City Council members last night soundly defeated city manager Mike Matthes' no-vote property tax increase five to two.  

A chorus of voices condemned Matthes' tactics and criticized his money-handling skills. 

News also broke that Finance Director Michele Nix resigned and that Matthes had left the positions of city auditor and treasurer vacant for years.   

Several references to the large cash reserves and savings accounts emerged, calling into question low city salaries and the need for higher taxes. 

Retired Water and Light Department administrator Jim Windsor was particularly harsh, reciting a litany of poor policies and pract...