Each year, the city of Columbia conducts a citizen survey to understand how residents feel about our community and their local government. The 2024 results gave us a lot to think about — and even more to act on. Residents told us they value Columbia’s sense of community and quality of life but want to see stronger transparency, more focus on homelessness and safety, and continued investment in infrastructure and engagement.
Throughout 2025, we’ve taken those priorities seriously. Some changes are visible already, while others — like long-term housing and infrastructure improvements — require sustained effort. Real progress takes time, but I’m proud of the steps we’ve taken together this year.
One of the clearest messages from the survey was that residents want to be heard. In response, we expanded opportunities for public engagement across the city. Last spring, we hosted the first-ever Community Summit, where more than 300 residents gave feedback in person on the city’s strategic plan. We also launched Let’s Talk Local, monthly ward-based meetings where residents and council members discuss neighborhood issues in an informal setting. These conversations — combined with our interactive budget town halls — have brought hundreds of residents into the decision-making process in new ways.
Public safety and housing were at the top of residents’ concerns. This year, the Columbia Police Department increased staffing, graduated our first class of officers from our in-house training academy, and created a new transparency dashboard to share data on response times and service calls. We’ve also strengthened community-based safety efforts through the Office of Violence Prevention, which coordinates with neighborhood groups, youth mentors, and nonprofits to reduce violence before it starts.
On housing and homelessness, collaboration remains key. The city’s new Housing and Neighborhood Services Department has continued implementing the 2023 Housing Study recommendations. We expanded the DIVERT Program, which helps individuals experiencing homelessness connect to services instead of entering the criminal justice system. We also worked closely with Love Columbia, Turning Point, and Room at the Inn to expand access to shelter and case management.
While Columbia continues to make local progress, this year also reminded us that we’re part of a larger national picture. The recent federal government shutdown and reductions in federal spending created real hardship for families who rely on SNAP and WIC benefits. Yet in that difficult moment, Columbia showed what community looks like.
When SNAP benefits were paused, the city of Columbia, Boone County, and local partners stepped up, reallocating funds to support the Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri. Together, we contributed more than $100,000 in emergency assistance. And the community didn’t stop there — our residents, businesses, and nonprofits mobilized through CoMoHelps to raise even more. These collective actions remind me that compassion and collaboration remain at the heart of who we are.
As City Manager De’Carlon Seewood highlighted in his State of the City address, 2025 has also been a year of progress behind the scenes. We welcomed back United Airlines with new daily flights to Denver and Chicago, completed phase one of the Perche Creek Trail, and opened new pickleball and tennis courts at A. Perry Philips Park, reflecting how growth can improve both connectivity and quality of life.
Not every goal can be achieved in a single year — but progress is visible, and it’s rooted in your feedback. Whether through a town hall, survey, or casual conversation, your voice helps guide our work. As we close 2025, I’m grateful for your trust, patience, and partnership. Columbia is growing, learning, and adapting. And though the path forward takes time, it’s one we walk together.
