City of Columbia receives Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting

The City Manager’s Spotlight provides details about what is happening in the City of Columbia in an effort to keep citizens informed about City operations. The City Manager’s Spotlight on September 2016 reflects important initiatives that will highlight major projects in the City of Columbia. Here is a snapshot of the September Spotlight.

 

City of Columbia Receives Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting

The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting has been awarded to City of Columbia by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR). The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

The Finance Department was presented with the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting on August 16 during the City Council meeting.

“This is a great achievement for the City of Columbia, and I commend our staff in the Finance Department,” said City Manager Teresa Wilson. “The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting is the result of a collaborative effort between city leaders, management and staff working together on a common goal of fiscal responsibility.”

The CAFR was judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program including demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR.

The GFOA is a nonprofit professional association serving approximately 17,500 government finance professionals with offices in Chicago, IL, and Washington, D.C.

 

Budgeting During the School Year 101: Start Fresh! Financial Education Workshop Series

The City of Columbia’s Community Development department presents Back to School Budgeting 101 as a part of their Start Fresh! Financial Education Workshop Series. Find out ways to jumpstart your back to school fund, easy techniques to save, ways to stay within your budget during the school year and many more tips to make this year a budgeting breeze! During the series participants will also learn the importance of banking, building credit and homeownership. This series is perfect for parents, first time home buyers and anyone looking to enjoy living debt free.

The workshop series will be held on September 10th and 17th at the Earlewood Park community center from 9 AM – 2 PM with light breakfast and lunch included. Gift cards and certificates will be awarded to participants upon completion of both workshops.

For more information, please contact Community Development at 803-545-3373. To register, please click here.

 

 

Jumpstart Your Career with the Work It Up Job Training Scholarship Program

Searching for job opportunities, want to increase work ethics potential, and earn a livable wage and gain benefits? Then Work It Up Job Training Scholarship Program is just for you! This program is a grant-funded program designed to help individuals gain training through the Midlands Technical College QuickJobs Courses.

Qualifications:

• Citizens must be reside within the incorporated areas of the City of Columbia
• Must be unemployed, or determined underemployed based on current skillsets and occupation
• All applicants will be subject to criminal background checks and drug testing.

Selections of programs and courses:

• Call center professional
• Cardiac care technician
• Certified nursing assistant
• Customer relations specialist
• SC manufacturing certification
• Truck driver/CDL

Program participants must complete an online application gate.columbiasc.gov/jobtraining for more information call 803-545-3767 or email  [email protected].

 

 

Rental Housing Regulations Ordinance

Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook and City leaders announced a new ordinance affecting residential property owners.

On April 19, 2016, Columbia City Council gave final approval of Ordinance 2015-099 (Rental Housing Regulations) with an effective date of July 1, 2016.

This Ordinance repeals the ‘Absentee Landlord Regulation Program’ in its entirety and replaces it with the Rental Housing Regulations Ordinance (RHRO).

The RHRO requires all City of Columbia residential rental property owners to obtain a permit for each individual unit rented.

The Code Enforcement Division has mailed out 9,500 letters to rental owners notifying them of the new ordinance, meeting with individuals and answering questions by phone.

Rental property owners are encouraged to call the Customer Care Center at 803-545-3300 or Code Enforcement at 803-545-3430 with questions.

DEADLINE/REQUIREMENTS:

Beginning July 1, 2016 and no later than October 1, 2016, all rental properties must have a valid rental permit and a responsible local representative within a 45 mile radius. The representative can be utilized by out-of-town rental properties owners to assist in meeting the deadline.

Before a rental permit can be issued the owner or landlord must certify that the property complies with minimum safety standards.If an owner or landlord is unsure if the property meets the minimum safety standards, inspections by Code Enforcement staff are available upon request.

*Please Note*

Each individual property requires a separate permit which is non-transferable. The Rental Permit is good for 12 months from the time of issuance.

GRACE PERIOD:

In an effort to allow time for property owners to adjust and plan for the new regulations accordingly, the City is offering a 90-day grace period to obtain the rental permit prior to any enforcement actions.

If the deadline is not met, fines and additional penalties could be imposed.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

 

To review the new ordinance or to print out an application, visit the Columbia Police Department website: http://www.columbiapd.net/rental-housing.html.

Applications can be delivered or mailed to the Code Enforcement Division Office located at 1136 Washington Street, Columbia, SC 29201.

 

 

 

Meetings:

September 6 – City Council Work Session, City Hall, 1737 Main Street.

http://www.columbiasc.net/city-council/meeting-dates

 

September 6 – City Council Meeting, City Hall, 1737 Main Street

http://www.columbiasc.net/city-council/meeting-dates

 

September 8 – Design/ Development Review Commission, 4:00 p.m. City Hall, 1737 Main Street

September 12 – BPAC Meeting, 4:30 p.m. 1136 Washington Square (7th floor conference room)

September 12 – Planning Commission, 5:15 p.m. City Hall, 1737 Main Street

September 13 – Board of Zoning Appeals, 10:00 a.m. City Hall, 1737 Main Street

September 20 – City Council Work Session, City Hall, 1737 Main Street

http://www.columbiasc.net/city-council/meeting-dates

 

September 20 – City Council Meeting, City Hall, 1737 Main Street

http://www.columbiasc.net/city-council/meeting-dates

 

September 20- Zoning Public Hearing, 7:00 p.m. City Hall, 1737 Main Street

 

 

 

About Teresa Wilson

Teresa Wilson is the City Manager for the City of Columbia, SC. For more details on the City Manager, visit ColumbiaSC.net/city-manager. City Manager Wilson can be reached at [email protected] or 803-545-3026. For more information about the City of Columbia, visit ColumbiaSC.net.