A Costly Lesson in Ignoring Wisdom

"The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and suffer the consequences." — Proverbs 22:3

This biblical warning could not be more fitting for the recent actions of the Columbus City Council.

Despite multiple cautions from legal experts, council members chose to forge ahead with a politically tinged investigation—one that many saw as a thinly veiled effort to remove City Manager Isaiah Hugley. Now, the taxpayers are left paying the price.

On Tuesday, a divided Columbus Council voted 6–4 to approve nearly $47,000 in legal fees for Human Resources Director Reather Hollowell. Her attorney, Chuck Boring, described the investigation as “unauthorized and inappropriate,” claiming it was driven more by politics than facts. Ultimately, no charges were filed against Hollowell, yet the damage was done—and the bill came due.

Georgia law is clear: if a public employee is investigated but not charged, the city must cover their legal costs. Councilor Walker Garrett, an attorney himself, reminded his colleagues that fighting reimbursement in court could cost “hundreds of thousands of dollars” and would likely fail. “The law is pretty solid on this one,” he said.

And yet, some on the council chose to haggle over the price tag instead of addressing the root issue—why these costs were incurred in the first place.

“This was unreasonable billing for not having a trial — $45,000 is excessive,” Garrett added. Councilor Byron Hickey expressed similar concerns, though some find his outrage ironic given that in 2010 he won a $306,000 judgment against the city. What did the city pay his attorney?

Councilor Glenn Davis raised broader issues of process and precedent. “Council did not approve this,” he said. “If we start opening this door, where does it stop?”

The case against Hollowell was part of a wider probe into the city’s finance department, initiated after a data leak involving employee records. The investigation, requested by Mayor Skip Henderson, ultimately extended beyond finance to include both Hollowell and former Revenue Manager Yvonne Ivey. Charges against Ivey were dismissed this week due to the statute of limitations.

Sheriff Greg Countryman, whose office conducted the investigation, defended the inquiry, stating his department acted only after being asked by city officials—against his initial recommendation. “The facts are the facts,” Countryman said.

But facts seemed to matter little once political ambition began driving the process.

Even City Attorney Clifton Fay, who attempted to explain the legal mandate for reimbursement, faced push back from council members. The very people tasked with upholding policy and law seemed determined to dispute both.

So where does this leave the citizens of Columbus?

Stuck with the bill. Again.

With the recent dismissal of charges against Yvonne Ivey, according to the law, the city will likely be responsible for covering her legal fees as well—possibly followed by a lawsuit. And with Finance Director Angelica Alexander’s court date approaching in July, her legal costs may soon be added to the growing tab.

The real cost of this saga isn't just $47,000 in legal fees. It’s the erosion of trust. It’s the perception—if not the reality—that city governance is being driven by vendettas rather than vision. And unless councilmembers start listening to sound legal advice and acting with prudence, the costs—both financial and political—will only grow.

Let Proverbs be a reminder: wisdom sees danger and avoids it. Folly walks straight into the storm—and takes the people with it.