COMO Vanguard

COMO Vanguard COMO Vanguard is Columbia, Missouri’s trusted source for news and intelligence on local policymaking and politics.

🎙️ New episode of the COMO Vanguard Podcast!Ward 1 Councilwoman Valerie Carroll for First Ward joins Nick Knoth and Davi...
09/10/2026

🎙️ New episode of the COMO Vanguard Podcast!

Ward 1 Councilwoman Valerie Carroll for First Ward joins Nick Knoth and David Lile to discuss FY27 budget amendments, funding for utility assistance and social services, and the debate over security protections for council members.

The conversation also covers downtown special events, street closures, parking permits, crowd management and public safety.

And, of course, there’s Flock. The episode wraps up with a discussion about the future of the city’s Flock safety cameras, Council’s plans for a public hearing, and the broader dynamics of public engagement and decision-making on the City Council.

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts

Ward 1 Councilwoman Valerie Carroll joins Nick Knoth and David Lile to discuss the latest Columbia City Council meeting, including several FY27 budget amendments, including funding for utility assistance and social services, and the debate over security protections for council members.

Last night Council tackled the FY27 budget, downtown parking and special events, and the future of Flock cameras at Tues...
09/09/2026

Last night Council tackled the FY27 budget, downtown parking and special events, and the future of Flock cameras at Tuesday night’s meeting.

Among the highlights:

💰 Budget: Council restored $200,000 to the Utility Assistance Program and $187,836 to Social Services.

🔒 Council security: A $7,000 proposal to reimburse Council members for home security systems failed 4-2.

🎉 Special events: A proposal to limit organizations to five special-event permits annually failed on a 3-3 vote, leaving the ongoing debate over downtown events and public safety unresolved.

🅿️ Downtown parking: Council rejected a proposed $50 monthly parking permit rate, instead approving $40 per month.

📹 Flock: Council unanimously agreed to hold a public hearing on Flock cameras and surveillance, with a hearing expected before the holidays. CPD is also expected to demonstrate the system to Council in a closed session.

Read the full report for the details, discussion and everything else.

Key Takeaways

🎙️ Listen now to the latest episode of the COMO Vanguard Podcast.Carrie Gartner, Executive Director of The Loop, joins D...
08/19/2026

🎙️ Listen now to the latest episode of the COMO Vanguard Podcast.

Carrie Gartner, Executive Director of The Loop, joins David Lile and Nick Knoth on the latest episode of the COMO Vanguard Podcast.

We break down the latest City Council meeting, including debates over downtown safety, homelessness, public funding and other issues shaping Columbia.

Then, we turn our attention to The Loop: What exactly is it? How does it fit into Columbia’s economic and community development landscape? And what does Carrie see on the horizon?

Carrie Gartner, Executive Director of The Loop, joins David Lile and Nick Knoth to break down the latest City Council meeting, including debates around downtown safety, homelessness, public funding and other issues.

🎙️ New Podcast EpisodeWhat does the passage of Proposition 1 mean for Columbia? And what happened at this week's City Co...
08/06/2026

🎙️ New Podcast Episode

What does the passage of Proposition 1 mean for Columbia? And what happened at this week's City Council meeting?

This week, David Lile and Nick Knoth are joined by Ward 6 Councilwoman Dr. Betsy Peters to unpack:
• The wave of fee and permit increases approved by Council
• Ongoing development and growth challenges
• Why marathon Council meetings are becoming a governance and transparency problem
• What Proposition 1's narrow passage means for public safety and the city's future

Plus, stay through the end for two interviews with City Manager De'Carlon Seewood and Police Chief Jill Schlude as they share their reactions to voters approving the public safety sales tax.

Hosts David Lile and Nick Knoth are joined by Ward 6 Councilwoman Dr.

This special edition of the COMO Vanguard podcast is dedicated entirely to the City of Columbia, Mo. Government's propos...
07/16/2026

This special edition of the COMO Vanguard podcast is dedicated entirely to the City of Columbia, Mo. Government's proposed Public Safety Tax, which voters will decide this August.

Hosts David Lile and Nick Knoth sit down with Police Chief Jill Schlude and Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer, followed by Matt Nichols, President of the FOP Lodge #26-Columbia, MO, and Zach Privette, President of Columbia Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 1055. The episode concludes with City Manager De'Carlon Seewood and Finance Director Matthew Lue.

Across three conversations, guests discuss the need for the proposed tax, the challenges facing Columbia's and departments, how the measure would work, and what it could mean for the City's future. Whether you're still deciding how to vote or simply want a deeper understanding of the proposal, this episode offers direct, in-depth conversations with many of the key voices behind the measure.

This special edition of the COMO Vanguard podcast is dedicated entirely to Columbia’s proposed Public Safety Tax, which voters will decide this August.

The biggest gaps in Columbia’s violence prevention system may not be downtown. Our investigation examines the gap betwee...
07/12/2026

The biggest gaps in Columbia’s violence prevention system may not be downtown. Our investigation examines the gap between public perception and what the data shows. Read more:

By Srijita Datta, Senior Contributor

Columbia’s public safety conversation has often centered on one question: Is the city safe? The answer depends on what y...
07/10/2026

Columbia’s public safety conversation has often centered on one question: Is the city safe? The answer depends on what you measure. Our latest investigation looks at the numbers behind Columbia’s public safety system — and what happens next.

By Srijita Datta, Senior Contributor

Crime is down. So why does Columbia’s public safety system still feel stretched?COMO Vanguard spent weeks examining the ...
07/09/2026

Crime is down. So why does Columbia’s public safety system still feel stretched?

COMO Vanguard spent weeks examining the data, records, and perspectives shaping Columbia’s public safety conversation. Read our full report now

By Srijita Datta, Senior Contributor

ICYMI we want to hear from you!The COMO Vanguard team will be recording a series of interviews with the Police Chief and...
07/09/2026

ICYMI we want to hear from you!

The COMO Vanguard team will be recording a series of interviews with the Police Chief and Fire Chief, representatives from the police and fire unions, and city management to discuss the proposed 1% Public Safety Sales Tax that's on the August ballot.

Rather than only asking the questions we come up with, we want to hear from you.

If you support the tax, oppose it, or are still trying to make up your mind, what questions would you want answered? What concerns do you have? What claims have you heard that you'd like us to fact-check or press officials on? Comment below and let us know!

City Council has called for a special election on the question of imposing an additional 1% sales and use tax for public safety services.

The COMO Vanguard team will be recording a series of interviews with the Police Chief and Fire Chief, representatives fr...
07/08/2026

The COMO Vanguard team will be recording a series of interviews with the Police Chief and Fire Chief, representatives from the police and fire unions, and city management to discuss the proposed 1% Public Safety Sales Tax that's on the August ballot.

Rather than only asking the questions we come up with, we want to hear from you.

If you support the tax, oppose it, or are still trying to make up your mind, what questions would you want answered? What concerns do you have? What claims have you heard that you'd like us to fact-check or press officials on? Comment below and let us know!

City Council has called for a special election on the question of imposing an additional 1% sales and use tax for public safety services.

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