Columbus Freeze

The Columbus city council today approves cost- saving measures for the city and new rules for businesses.

Good evening.

Thanks for joining us.

As mississippi slowly reopens for business, the impact covid-19 has had on the economy will take time to fix..

The columbus city council today approves cost- saving measures for the city and new rules for businesses.

Wcbi's bobby martinez is live outside of columbus city hall with more on what's next.

In a meeting held this morning..

Columbus mayor robert smith presented a budget response to covid-19.

With an anticipated 40 percent decrease in sales tax revenue due to the pandemic..

Smith hopes the moves can save over one point five million dollars by the end of the year.

"that was probably the most difficult decisions i've had to make."

But it was a decision columbus mamayor robert smith says was necessary, for the time being.

Beginning may 4th through july 31st..

City employees will now work four days and only 30 hours a week..

Smith says this decision was not easy... "anytime you reduce an individual hours you reduce their salary.

It affects your livelihood and your families so that was a difficult decision to make.

Even though the hours were reduced, at the same time, they were more receptacle by being allowed to stay and work for four days rather than five days."

Both the fire and police department will not see a loss in hours..

But will see a freeze on new hires.

"we talked about the police department which they were budgeted for 64 so that's 54.

With the fire department they were budgeted for 70, they are at 60, so we're putting a freeze on there."

Mayor smith says there will also be a freeze on all spending and travel, unless it's for emergency.

In a move that impacts businesses... face masks are required for all restaurant and retail employees or a fine will be issued.

Glenn baldwin, owner of glenns bbq and fish in columbus..

Says he makes sure his employees are following all health guidelines at all times.

"we just wanted to be safe.

We wantour customers to know that we are being safe.

We've been blessed we have done really well and we've been really safe and customers are coming in and appreciating the mask and the gloves.

Shot tag mayor smith also says starting tonight..

The city's curfew will be from 10 p.m.

To 6 in the morning, for the time being.

For now.

Live in columbus bobby martinez wcbi news.