Columbus officials are discussing a possible change in city government structure that, if approved, would lead to the addition of two more city council members.
During one of the city’s preliminary budget hearings on Thursday, City Councilman Tom Dell mentioned that there have been conversations about moving Columbus to designation as a “second class city.”
However, Mayor Jim Lienhoop said that more information is needed to consider such a change.
“We’ve qualified to be a ‘second class city’ for some time,” Lienhoop said. “And we’ve had a couple council members ask us whether we should investigate that. And we’ve indicated that we would, and I thought we might take a look at it this year.”
However, due to extra work on the city’s plate from the American Rescue Plan, the CARES Act and the region’s application for economic development funds, staff have been otherwise engaged and not had the time to do this investigatory work.
Lienhoop said that he does not have an opinion on the matter, as the city has not been able to do its due diligence yet. He added that, at this point, conversation is “a little premature.”
Columbus Clerk-Treasurer Luann said that Columbus is currently a “third-class city.”
Per Indiana Code, municipalities are designated by status and population as follows:
Cities of 600,000 or more — First class cities
Cities of 35,000 to 599,999 — Second class cities
Cities of less than 35,000 — Third class cities
Other municipalities of any population — Towns
According to census counts from STATS Indiana, Columbus had already attained a population of more than 39,000 by the year 2000, and current estimates place its population at more than 48,000.
However, Indiana Code also states that a “third class city” that accumulates a population of 35,000 remains at third class, unless the legislative body chooses to adopt “second class city” status. Likewise, a “second class city” that falls below 35,000 remains with that designation unless its legislative body chooses to adopt third class status.
For “second class cities,” the legislative body is made up of nine total individuals — six members representing six districts and three at-large members. At present, Columbus City Council is made up of five district-representing members and two at-large members, Dell and Grace Kestler. Both are Democrats.
District 4 Councilman Frank Miller, who is a Republican, said that he doesn’t expect the city to change designations.
“There’s a lot more additional cost moving up a class than just two council seats,” he said. “And I don’t think the current administration is interested. I don’t think past ones have been. And if you read the I.C. code at any length, there’s no real advantage to moving up a class, as far as processes and monies coming to us.”
However, they “never know what will happen in the future,” Miller said.
Kestler said while there may not necessarily be “financial gains” in moving to second class designation, one benefit of having more council members would be “better representation” for the city’s population.
Such a change would affect other positions as well. State code specifies that while third class cities elect a clerk-treasurer, second class cities elect a clerk. Both positions fill the role of city clerk; however, the clerk-treasurer also serves as the city’s fiscal officer. In a “second class city,” the fiscal officer is a city controller appointed by the mayor.
Like Lienhoop, Welmer said that she would like to research the issue further before expressing a perspective on the matter.
“The city would need to gather a fair amount of background information before forming an opinion,” she added.
Other cities have made the change in designation over the past decade. Noblesville made the decision in 2013. According to its city site, Fishers transitioned classes in 2015 after its citizens voted in favor of the change in the 2012 general election. In 2016, Carmel City Council voted to move the city to second-class status.
Per state code, city councils for “second class cities” choose a president and vice president from their members. In “third class cities,” the mayor presides at all city council meetings but may vote only if a tie needs to be broken. The council also has a president pro tempore who presides if the mayor is absent. District 2 Councilwoman Elaine Hilber currently fills this role.
