► Blue Star Memorial Marker dedication April 3

The restoration of the Blue Star Memorial marker is complete with a dedication planned for Monday, April 3 at 1 p.m. Columbus Town Council heard the announcement from town manager Tim Barth during its March 16 meeting. Columbus gave a contribution to the Daffy Jills Garden Club last year to help pay for the restoration. The dedication will be held at the Visitor’s Center off I-26 in Columbus.

► Discover Columbus holds successful trash pick up

The Discover Columbus Committee held a successful trash pick-up on March 4 along Hwy. 108. Columbus Town Manager Tim Barth reported during the town’s March 16 meeting that there were eight people who showed up in the cold to pick up trash. Barth said 10 full bags of trash were collected between the first roundabout and Jackson’s Towing along Hwy. 108.

► Polk seeks volunteers for new FRAC board

The Polk County Board of Commissioners is currently seeking volunteers to serve on its newly formed Polk County Fire and Rescue Advisory Committee (FRAC). County manager Marche Pittman reported at the county’s March 20 meeting that the county has not yet received any applications. The new committee replaces the six fire departments’ tax commissions and will serve as an advisory committee between the fire departments and rescue squad and county commissioners.

► Polk adds alternates to E&R board

During its Monday, March 20 meeting, the Polk County Board of Commissioners amended its equalization and review (E&R) board to have alternates. The board is currently allowed to have five members, which have not yet been appointed this year. County attorney Jana Berg said adding alternates to the board will mean if there is not a quorum when the board is in session, they can call alternates who have been trained in order to continue with hearings.

► Polk makes appointments to volunteer boards

The Polk County Board of Commissioners appointed members to the Polk County Board of Adjustment, the Polk County Mental Health Advisory Board and the Polk County Planning Board during its March 20 meeting. Jeffrey William Budai was appointed to the board of adjustment; Jeff Arrowood was appointed to the mental health advisory board; Neal Barton was appointed as a Columbus representative on the planning board; and Gerald Pack was appointed as an at-large alternate on the planning board.