Jim Lienhoop
Columbus City Council is considering a potential change in city government structure that, if approved, would lead to the addition of two more council members.
The council’s next meeting is set for this Tuesday at 6 p.m. A discussion on the possibility of becoming a “second class city” is included in the night’s agenda.
The topic was briefly discussed by council members in fall of 2021 during preliminary budget hearings. At the time, Mayor Jim Lienhoop said more information was needed to consider such a change.
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 its 2020 count was a little more than 50,000.
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.
Additionally, city councils for second class cities choose a president and vice president from their members. In third class cities, such as Columbus, 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.
The change in city status 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.
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.
