Mayor Ryan Daniel has announced upcoming changes to the City’s Board of Works, beginning on January 1, 2024.

City Councilman Dan Weigold will be rejoining the Board of Works, taking the place of retiring City Council President Walt Crowder.

“Walt has served the city with great passion and knowledge, and I respect him tremendously,” said Weigold. “I’m excited to have the opportunity to serve on the Board of Works, continuing to make Columbia City a place we can call our home.”

Mayor Daniel welcomed Weigold back onto the Board of Works stating, “Dan has consistently advocated to bring out the best of our city. I’m proud to have him back on the Board of Works.”

Weigold previously served in this role from 2012- 2019 and is the GIS Coordinator for Whitley County.

Mayor Daniel also announced Lisa Smith would be added to the Board of Works.

“I am honored to accept Mayor Daniel’s appointment and I look forward to the opportunity to serve my community in this capacity”, said Smith. “My husband and I were both born and raised in Columbia City. After college, we chose to return to this community and feel blessed to have spent the last 27 years raising our family here.”

Smith is currently the Program Officer for Post-Secondary Attainment at the Don Wood Foundation. She previously worked for Ivy Tech Community College as the Director of Community Engagement.

“Lisa has been a great partner on multiple economic development projects in the past”, said Mayor Daniel. She brings an outsider’s perspective to the Board of Works, while also being fully committed to the betterment of our community.” Smith will take the place of outgoing Board of Works member Nicole Penrod who will be retiring at the end of 2023.

Formally named the Columbia City Board of Works and Safety, the Board of Works serves as the primary executive body of City Government whose roles include bidding projects, approving contracts, overseeing staff, managing public infrastructure, and a multitude of other functions. Indiana State Statute gives the mayor the authority to appoint the Board of Works Members. The Board of Works meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month at 5:00pm at City Hall. These meetings are open to the public.