Government of Columbia, Missouri

The City of Columbia, Missouri's current government was established by a home rule charter adopted by voters on November 11, 1974, which established a Council-manager government that invested power in the City Council. The City Council is made up of seven members - six elected by each of Columbia's six wards, plus an at-large council member, the Mayor, who is elected by all city voters. All members of the council, none of whom receive a salary for their work, are elected to staggered three-year terms. The Mayor, in addition to being a voting member of the City Council, is recognized as the head of city government for ceremonial purposes. Chief executive authority is invested in a city manager, who oversees the day-to-day operations of government. [cite web | url=http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Council/Columbia_Code_of_Ordinances/Chapter_99/01.html | title=Columbia Code of Ordinances | work=City of Columbia | accessdate=2008-01-01]

Columbia is the county seat of Boone County, the county's headquarters and municipal court are located there. The City is located in the ninth U.S. Congressional district. The nineteenth Missouri State Senate district covers all of Boone County. There are five Missouri House of Representatives districts (9, 21, 23, 24, 25) in the city.

The population generally supports progressive causes such as the extensive city recycling programs and the decriminalization of cannabis [cite web | url=http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2005/11/10/marijuana-law-gets-new-review/ | title=Marijuana law gets new review | work=Columbia Missourian | accessdate=2008-01-01] both for medical and recreational use at the municipal level (though the scope of latter of the two cannabis ordinances has since been restricted). [cite web | url=http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2006/02/21/city-council-revises-pot-ordinance/ | title=City Council revises pot ordinance | work=Columbia Missourian | accessdate=2008-01-01] The city is also one of only four in the state to offer medical benefits to same-sex partners of city employees. [cite web | url=http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2006/12/19/council-oks-benefits-for-domestic-partners/ | title=Council Oks Benefits for Domestic Partners | work=Columbia Missourian | accessdate=2008-01-01] The new health plan also extends health benefits to unmarried heterosexual domestic partners of city employees. On October 10, 2006, the City Council approved an ordinance to prohibit smoking in restaurants and bars. The ordinance was passed with protest, and several amendments to the ordinance reflect this. [cite web | url=http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2006/10/10/smoking-ban-passes/ | title=Smoking Ban Passes | work=Columbia Missourian | accessdate=2008-01-01]

External links

* [http://www.gocolumbiamo.com Official government website]

References