Council Tables Controversial Public Safety Director Proposal for Further Review

A proposed amendment to the Columbus city charter that would shift public safety oversight from the mayor to a newly created Public Safety Director was tabled by the Columbus City Council this week, following a lengthy and impassioned debate over cost, structure, and accountability.

The proposed charter amendment, slated for potential placement on the November 2026 ballot, seeks to remove the mayor’s current supervisory role over the Department of Public Safety. In its place, a new position—Public Safety Director—would be created to oversee police, fire, EMS, and other related services.

The resolution, originally introduced by Councilor Toyia Tucker, would require approval from the Georgia General Assembly to authorize a local referendum, giving Muscogee County voters the final say.

Cost, Structure Among Key Concerns Council members voiced serious concerns about the financial implications of the proposal, including the potential for adding a six-figure salaried position with benefits, administrative support, and office costs. Councilor Gary Allen cited an estimated $500,000 in new spending, calling it “a major budgetary commitment without a clear plan.”

"I'm for smaller, better government," Councilor Walker Garrett said. "We have people without homes and real public needs. I can't justify adding another layer of government without knowing the full cost."

Councilor Travis Chambers echoed those concerns, questioning whether the proposed structure would create more bureaucracy and slow response times in emergency situations. “We don't want our public safety departments bogged down by added layers of approval,” he said.

Supporters Cite Need for Professional Oversight Supporters of the measure, including Councilor Tucker, emphasized the need for specialized leadership in public safety. Tucker, a military veteran, described the proposal as a long-overdue correction to a system where elected officials with no public safety background currently oversee complex emergency operations.

“This isn’t about politics,” Councilor Byron Hickey said. “This is about putting a qualified subject matter expert in place to lead one of the most critical functions of our government.”

Assistant Chief Lance Deaton, standing in for Chief Stoney Mathis, acknowledged the proposal’s potential benefits, saying a public safety director could improve interdepartmental communication and streamline decision-making. “It’s worth considering,” he told the council, though he stopped short of a full endorsement.

Call for More Input Multiple council members said they want to hear directly from police, fire, and EMS leadership before making any final decisions. Councilor JoAnne Cogle suggested compiling a list of pros and cons, while Councilor Anker asked for specific input from all public safety department heads.

“We need more clarity on the job description, reporting structure, and fiscal impact,” Councilor Travis Chambers said.

Councilor Glenn Davis urged caution, noting that the General Assembly typically prefers to see strong local consensus before advancing charter amendments. “If we’re going to ask the legislature to move this forward, we need to show unity,” Davis said

Next Steps The council ultimately agreed to table the resolution and revisit it at the October meeting. In the meantime, city staff are expected to provide detailed financial estimates and potential structural outlines for the proposed director role.

While the proposal has not been shelved entirely, it faces an uphill battle amid lingering concerns about cost, accountability, and potential duplication of leadership. However, with more information and public input, some councilors say the idea may still have merit.

“This conversation has to happen,” Tucker said. “Our city is growing. Our challenges are evolving. We need to be proactive, not reactive.”