Columbus Consolidated Government history

After all, Columbus was founded in 1827 specifically as a trading town by the General Assembly of Georgia.

Columbus was incorporated in 1828.

What began as a pitched tent encampment would by the end of 1829 become a town with more than 1,000 residents.

So, in 1847, the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce was formed as the Columbus Board of Trade.

In 1940, the health departments were merged into one countywide department.

But, by late 1961, the Committee presented its recommendation that the city and county commissions be abolished and a new single commission, composed of six commissioners and an elected mayor be created.

Failure in 1962 revealed the necessity of avoiding haste, of painstaking study, and of seeking unanimity at each step toward consolidation.

The larger commission and first elected mayor took office in 1965.

All three constitutional amendments were introduced by the legislative delegation and in November 1966 were approved by the voters by a two - to - one margin.

In 1967, the Columbus City Commission again suggested that a committee be created to approach the question and, with the county government's concurrence, a Consolidation Study Committee was appointed.

In early 1969, the General Assembly adopted the enabling legislation and the bill was signed into law that April.

Doctor Thomas Y. Whitley, President of Columbus College, was elected chairman at the first meeting, at which time the members set a target date of April 1, 1970, for completion of the charter.

These officials took office in November and began meeting weekly to prepare for the transition to a new government for some 170,000 people on January 1, 1971.