Local Government Guide

Legislative

Mayor and Council Member Contacts

Mayor Skip Henderson706-225-4712SkipHenderson@columbusga.org
District 1: Jerry “Pops” Barnes706-442-0249pops9784@aol.com
District 2: Glenn Davis706-323-1005glenndavis@columbusga.org
District 3: Bruce Huff706-322-8713bhuff@columbusga.org
District 4: Toyia Tucker706-225-9783tucker.Toyia@columbusga.org
District 5: Charmaine Crabb706-530-0474Crabb.Charmaine@columbusga.org
District 6: Gary Allen706-464-8476gallen@columbusga.org
District 7: Evelyn “Mimi” Woodson 706-940-3732mwoodson@columbusga.org
District 8: Walker Garrett706-760-8028wgarrett@columbusga.org 
District 9 at Large: Judy Thomas706-327-4926judythomas@columbusga.org
District 10 at Large: John House706-573-2389house.john@columbusga.org

Muscogee County School Board Contacts

District 1: Pat Hugley-GreenGreen.Patricia.A@muscogee.k12.ga.us
District 2: Nickie Tillerytillery.tara.n@muscogee.k12.ga.us
District 3: Vanessa K. JacksonJackson.Vanessa.K@muscogee.k12.ga.us
District 4: Naomi BucknerBuckner.Naomi@muscogee.k12.ga.us
District 5: Laurie C. McRaeMcrae.Laurie.C@muscogee.k12.ga.us
District 6: Mark CantrellCantrell.Mark@muscogee.k12.ga.us
District 7: Cathy WilliamsWilliams.Cathy@muscogee.k12.ga.us
District 8: Philip T. SchleySchley.Philip.T@muscogee.k12.ga.us
At-Large: Kia ChambersChambers.Kia@muscogee.k12.ga.us

Executive

The day-to-day operations of Columbus-Muscogee city government are managed by the City Manager, currently Isaiah Hugley. The City Manager, who is appointed by the City Council and Mayor, appoints, assigns and removes heads of most departments in city government, and implements the decisions of Council.

The county jail and courthouse are operated by the Muscogee County Sheriff, currently Greg Countryman.

Judicial

The judicial system in Columbus-Muscogee County consists of judges, courts, defenders and prosecutors. The top prosecutors are the District Attorney, currently Mark Jones, who handles all felony cases (both in Columbus and in five other surrounding counties), and the Solicitor, currently Suzanne Goddard, who handles all misdemeanor cases. Another top lawyer, the City Attorney (currently Clifton Fay), defends the city in civil cases and provides legal advice for the City government.

The following local courts have jurisdiction in Columbus-Muscogee County:

  • Magistrate Court – small claims under $15,000. Headed by Judge Stephen D. Smith, who is elected by partisan election every presidential year and also heads up the Municipal Court.
  • Municipal Court – traffic offenses and other misdemeanors. Headed by Judge Stephen D. Smith, who is elected by partisan election every presidential year and also heads up the Magistrate Court.
  • Probate Court – wills, administration of estates, appointment of guardians (minor and adult) and involuntary in-patient and out-patient psychiatric commitments of individuals with severe mental illness. Among other things, the Probate Court also gives oaths of office to elected officials and issues marriage licenses, weapons carry licenses, residency verifications, and public fireworks display permits. Headed by Judge Marc D’Antonio, who is elected in a partisan election every presidential year.
  • Recorder’s Court – traffic, criminal and city ordinance cases made by the Columbus Police Department, Special Enforcement, Airport Police, Housing Authority, Metro Narcotic Task Force, Fire Department and the Georgia State Patrol
  • Superior Court – Felony cases, divorce and alimony, child custody, equity cases and cases involving land titles must be tried in the Superior Courts.
  • State Court – Civil cases, criminal misdemeanors and appeals from lower courts

Who are my elected officials?

How can I find out the voting record of a city council or school board member?

How can I view who donates to candidates for local office or how they spend campaign funds?

All campaign disclosures may be viewed on-line at http://www.columbusga.org/elections/disclosures.asp?yr=2014 , under the respective candidate’s name.