Video: City of Columbus Fined Over Ethics Complaint

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) — An ethics complaint has been filed against Columbus Mayor Robert Smith.

Now the Mississippi Ethics Commission is fining the city $500 for violating the Open Meetings Act.

City spokesman Joe Dillon tells WCBI Columbus is appealing the ruling, and will not pay the fine.

Dillon says the complaint is over a letter the mayor sent to Lowndes County supervisors a year ago about a gun range, asking that it be run by the city of Columbus.

In it, Mayor Smith says he’s discussed the matter with councilmen.

Dillon says the discussions happened individually, and no decisions were made, so no laws were violated.

Mayor Smith released a statement saying, “Talking to members of the city council outside of council meetings is legal and reasonable. I know that State law prohibits me from meeting with four or more council members at any one time without prior notice of a public meeting, but as Mayor, I have to communicate often with council members. That is how our system of government works.”

“As a result of the commission deciding the case without a right to be present and be heard, the commission deprived the city of its right to be heard about our side of the story, and answer any questions they might have had,” said Jeff Turnage, city attorney.

The city’s appeal hearing will be later this month.