Nick Knoth and David Lile sit down with Rebecca Roesslet, Director of the Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services Department, for a wide-ranging conversation about the department and the many ways public health touches daily life. Rebecca discusses her career in public service, the unique city-county structure of the department, food safety and inspections, infectious disease response, vaccinations, HIV services, and the department’s partnerships with local healthcare providers. The conversation also explores Columbia’s growing homelessness challenge and the department’s ongoing effort to develop a data-driven homelessness strategic plan.

Learn more, support the show, and submit questions at www.comovanguard.com

Ward 1 Councilwoman Valerie Carroll joins Nick Knoth and David Lile to discuss the latest Columbia City Council meeting, including several FY27 budget amendments, including funding for utility assistance and social services, and the debate over security protections for council members. The conversation also covers downtown special events, street closures, parking permits, and efforts to improve crowd management and public safety. The episode concludes with a discussion about the future of Flock safety cameras, Council’s plans for a public hearing, and the broader dynamics of public engagement and decision-making on the City Council.

Learn more, support the show, and submit questions at www.comovanguard.com

What does it actually take to keep Columbia moving?

In this episode of the COMO Vanguard Podcast, Nick Knoth and David Lile sit down with Shane Creech, Director of Public Works for the City of Columbia, for the inaugural episode of a new series focused on the people behind city government.

Creech discusses his nearly 18 years with the City, his path from civil engineering into public-sector management, and what it’s like overseeing a department responsible for everything from streets and traffic to parking, transit, facilities, and the city’s vehicle fleet.

The conversation digs into some of Columbia’s biggest infrastructure challenges, including aging parking technology, road maintenance, the realities of the city’s 10-year capital improvement sales tax, major projects like Forum Boulevard and Sinclair Road, upcoming roundabouts, coordination with MoDOT, and why major infrastructure projects can take years before construction even begins.

It’s a behind-the-scenes look at one of the City’s largest departments—and at the complicated process of keeping a growing, university-centered city moving forward.

Learn more, submit questions, and support the show at www.comovanguard.com

Carrie Gartner, Executive Director of The Loop, joins David Lile and Nick Knoth to break down the latest City Council meeting, including debates around downtown safety, homelessness, public funding and other issues.

Then, we turn our attention to The Loop — what it is, how it fits into Columbia’s economic and community development landscape, and what Carrie sees on the horizon. We talk about The Loop’s work, the challenges and opportunities facing Columbia, and what it means for the City’s continued growth.

Learn more, submit questions, and support the show at www.comovanguard.com

Hosts David Lile and Nick Knoth are joined by Ward 6 Councilwoman Dr. Betsy Peters to break down the latest City Council meeting. They discuss the wave of fee and permit increases, ongoing development challenges, and why Council may need to rein in its marathon meetings and decision-making process.

The conversation also dives into Proposition 1, the narrowly approved public safety sales tax, what the outcome means for the city, and what comes next. The episode concludes with two brief interviews featuring City Manager De'Carlon Seewood and Police Chief Jill Schlude, who share their reactions to the measure's passage and what it means for Columbia moving forward.

Learn more and support the show at www.comovanguard.com

David Lile and Nick Knoth are joined by Ward 3 Councilwoman and Mayor Pro Tem Jacque Sample to unpack the most consequential decisions from Columbia's latest City Council meeting. The conversation covers the Council's approval of the City's 2026 Renewable Energy Plan and where Columbia stands on its renewable energy goals, the unanimous adoption of the FY27 Capital Improvement Program, and a divided vote on new stormwater waste disposal regulations aimed at protecting local waterways and maintaining compliance with state environmental requirements. The episode also looks ahead to a series of proposed increases to utility rates and City fees that are expected to come before the Council in the coming weeks, discussing what residents can expect and why those decisions matter.

Learn more and submit questions for the show at www.comovanguard.com

This special edition of the COMO Vanguard podcast is dedicated entirely to Columbia’s proposed Public Safety Tax, which voters will decide this August.

Hosts David Lile and Nick Knoth sit down with Police Chief Jill Schlude and Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer, followed by Matt Nichols, President of the Columbia Police Officers Association, and Zach Privette, President of Columbia Professional Firefighters Local 1055. The episode concludes with City Manager De’Carlon Seewood and Finance Director Matthew Lue.

Across three conversations, guests discuss the need for the proposed tax, the challenges facing Columbia’s police and fire departments, how the measure would work, and what it could mean for the City’s future. Whether you’re still deciding how to vote or simply want a deeper understanding of the proposal, this episode offers direct, in-depth conversations with many of the key voices behind the measure.

Visit www.comovanguard.com to learn more

Ward 2 Councilwoman Vera Elwood joins David Lile and Nick Knoth for a conversation on some of Columbia's latest issues, including short-term rentals, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), police surveillance technology, and the challenges of growth and governance in Columbia.

Visit www.comovanguard.com to submit questions and support the show.

Mayor Barbara Buffaloe returns to the show for a detailed discussion on local governance, city council dynamics, community engagement, and the future of Columbia's infrastructure and transportation. Hosted by David Lile and Nick Knoth, the conversation explores the challenges and opportunities in city management, public trust, and civic participation.

Visit www.comovanguard.com to submit questions and support the show.

City Manager De’Carlon Seewood joins the show to discuss his State of the City address, including his vision and priorities for the City of Columbia moving forward. Together we tackle everything from utilities and infrastructure to parks, housing, and community engagement.

Visit www.comovanguard.com to learn more and support the show.