GUEST COMMENTARY [Name withheld by request out of fear of retaliation]
For two decades, Leo Lutz has occupied the mayor’s office in Columbia, and his supporters are quick to credit him with every positive development in our borough, but leadership is a two-way street. If Mayor Lutz is going to accept praise for Columbia’s successes, many of which, frankly, he had little direct involvement in, then he must also be held accountable for our failures.
The facts paint a troubling picture. Despite the mayor’s repeated assurances that our streets are safe, we’ve witnessed a disturbing rise in assaults, shootings, and vandalism. His promises have fallen by the wayside: the foot patrol we were promised never materialized, nor did the bike patrol that was supposed to increase our sense of security.
Fiscally, the situation is equally dire. Taxes have increased at least twice during Mayor Lutz’s tenure, yet the borough now finds itself millions of dollars in debt. This isn’t the record of effective stewardship. It’s a pattern of decline masked by rhetoric about prosperity.
There’s an inconvenient truth that property owners understand all too well: every time taxes rise, property values fall. That’s not prosperity; that’s a slow erosion of our community’s economic foundation.
Columbia needs vigorous, forward-thinking leadership. Instead, we have a mayor whose age and lengthy tenure raise legitimate questions about his ability to efficiently fulfill the demanding role ahead.
He’s one of the last of the good old boys that unfortunately ran this town. If voters return him to office, we can expect more of the same: continued decline, mounting debt, and broken promises.
The choice before Columbia’s voters is clear: we can either maintain the status quo and watch our borough continue to deteriorate, or we can demand accountability and choose a new direction.
Mayor Lutz has had 20 years to prove himself. The results speak for themselves.
Columbia Borough residents may face another property tax increase in 2026, following a significant hike approved last year, according to indications from borough officials.
In 2024, borough council raised property taxes by 2 mills for the 2025 budget year, bringing the total millage to 10 mills—the current rate. Now, less than a year later, signs suggest another increase is possible.
Council approved an $8.33 million general fund budget for 2025 by passing a 25% property tax increase, with warnings that further increases would likely be necessary.
“It’s going to be 2 mills this year, 2 mills next year,” Council Vice President Eric Kauffman said in 2024, according to LNP/LancasterOnline. “I just don’t know what else to do.”
Particularly alarming were statements by Mayor Leo Lutz, who suggested the borough may need to implement a multi-year plan for tax increases. “You’re almost gonna have to set a plan. It might be 2, 2, 2, 2. I don’t know. It might be 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, whatever,” Lutz said at a November 20, 2024 budget meeting. Those amounts could add up to 6 more mills over the next three years.
In addition to raising the millage, council could borrow from reserves, but doing so at this point would reduce the amount to a critically low level. Council has traditionally maintained reserves at 15% of the budget (about $1.1-1.2 million) as a financial safety net.
A recent budget draft for 2026 shows a budget amount for 2026 expenditures for the general fund alone at 9,151,171, compared to 8,311,717 for 2025—an increase of $839,454. A 2-mill tax increase ($876,000 in revenue) would more than cover that amount. (Each mill of property tax generates approximately $438,000 in revenue for the borough.)
Currently, not all numbers are available, and council still has to vote on a final budget.
Columbia Borough Council faced criticism from residents and animal welfare advocates at its October 16 budget meeting over proposed cuts to a popular trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) program for feral cats.
Council had initially reduced its donation to CCAT from $3,000 to $1,000 for 2026 — a decision that drew criticism, given the borough’s proposed $9 million budget.
Controversy also arose from comments made by council members at an October 7 work session about controlling the borough’s cat population, including a suggestion by Councilman Todd Burgard to use “extermination” as a control method.
Waltemire: “None of us in this room have a right to exterminate a living being.”
Dr. Nikki Waltemire, veterinarian at Columbia Animal Shelter, rebutted Burgard’s remarks during public comment. “None of us in this room have a right to exterminate a living being,” Waltemire said, calling “extermination” an extremely strong word. She distinguished between extermination and euthanasia, explaining that euthanasia is used to end the suffering of animals in pain.
Several others defended the Columbia Cat Action Team’s TNVR program and urged council to maintain funding. The program has sterilized and vaccinated approximately 500 cats to date. (In 2022, Columbia Borough had an estimated 1,000 feral cats.)
Madaras: “Our taxes are raised. Our money is mismanaged, yet you dare to even think about cutting funding for such a wonderful program…”
CCAT volunteer Jennifer Madaras criticized the proposed cuts. “Our taxes are raised. Our money is mismanaged, yet you dare to even think about cutting funding for such a wonderful program and a wonderful cause to this community is absolutely disheartening,” she said.
Tammy Jalbert, executive director of the Columbia Animal Shelter, expressed disappointment with council’s comments on the issue. “Some of the remarks shared, particularly those suggesting inhumane and lethal methods of cat control, were disappointing and unacceptable coming from community leaders,” Jalbert said. She noted it was “especially disheartening” to hear such comments from a councilor [Burgard] who was a founding member of CCAT and had previously supported the program publicly.
Ross: “We are effective and we are efficient.”
Liz Ross, chair of CCAT, emphasized the program’s effectiveness, noting that CCAT tracks its results annually from early October to late September.
McKonly: “I just want to say now I’m here to support the action team, to say for a bunch of volunteers how good of a job they do.”
Mike McKonly, president of the Columbia Animal Shelter, praised the volunteers’ work, calling them “awesome” and noting they perform a “thankless job.”
Resident Frank Doutrich suggested that council take a second look at funding CCAT. “I don’t know where these people are coming from when they want to take the money away from the program,” Doutrich said. “I just wish you would relook at that funding.”
Sharon Lintner, a founding member of CCAT, reminded council of other positive aspects of the program. “Don’t forget how much is good publicity, because this program got a lot of media attention on TV and newspaper articles and the Merchandiser,” Lintner said. “Other municipalities were coming to us, asking, how do you get this started?”
During budget discussions, council candidate Jesse Rabinowitz advocated for maintaining the reduced $1,000 donation. However, after council discovered an unassigned $1,500 in the budget, Heather Zink, council president, decided to allocate it to CCAT, bringing the total donation to $2,500 for 2026.
Mayor of Columbia Borough for 24 years. Safety and security of our residents, business and their property will be my primary responsibility. I have the experience to lead the department through personnel changes. Continue on our path of Economic Development, attracting new business and retaining current business. Continue work with the Land Bank, Redevelopment Authority and Habitat converting single family rentals to first-time owner- occupied housing and strengthen Code Enforcement. Protect our rich history, serving on the Board of Directors for the Underground Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. Provide more recreational opportunities for all residents is another priority.
Columbia is more than just where we live— it’s our hometown, our families, our future. I’m running for mayor because I care deeply about keeping Columbia safe, welcoming, and full of opportunity. I want to see our downtown grow, our neighborhoods shine, and our community come together with pride. I’ll work hard to support local businesses, strengthen public safety, and make sure every voice is heard. This isn’t about politics— it’s about people, and about building a Columbia we can all be proud of. I’d be honored to have your support and your vote for mayor.
Columbia Spy 
