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COLUMBUS, Ga. — The Fountain City’s legislative body has approved the hiring of the nation’s premiere governmental investigative law firm to accompany an audit of one of the city’s top offices after a ‘series of events’ have begun to ‘surface concerns.’

During the city council meeting held on August 29, City Councilor Joanne Cogle (District 7) made an unexpected motion at the very end of the session’s published agenda.

That motion was for council to formally initiate its investigative powers under Section 3-300 of the City Charter. Here’s why.

Back in July, city council approved a new ‘top-down’ audit schedule to take account of the city’s most influential offices, placing the office of City Manager Isaiah Hugley at the very top of that list.

Now, according to Cogle and her colleagues — who all unanimously agreed — there have been a ‘series of events’ that have begun to ‘surface concerns’ that warrant such a formal inquiry.

Though councilors did not openly specify what those concerning events were, they are serious enough for the city to approve the hiring of Troutman Pepper: the nation’s frontmost governmental investigatory law firm.

The firm, according to council’s vote, will be asked to work in conjunction with the city’s internal auditor to produce “a detailed report of some of the concerns that have surfaced.”

While councilors did not explicitly say the concerning events are related to the city manager’s office, the holistic nature of the situation does seem to give the appearance of that being the case. However, all we can say for certain based on the wording of the resolution is that it pertains to a “previously-approved audit.” The city’s previously-approved audit schedule expressly placed the city manager’s office at the very top of the list back in July.

Without further adieu, here is the full text of Cogle’s motion, as approved by the unanimous vote of all city council members present:

“Since we’re at the end of our agenda, there’s been a series of events that have been happening as of late, and I think council needs to initiate our powers to have an investigative firm to work in conjunction with our internal auditor. So I’d like to make a motion to request that we hire Troutman Pepper to work alongside of our internal auditor in a previously-approved audit, with the intention and goal of providing a detailed report of some of the concerns that have surfaced. I think we just need to get some answers, and we need some help to completely understand some of the issues that are going on so we can get back on track and in control.”

Cogle’s motion was immediately seconded.

Mayor Skip Henderson then asked if there was any further discussion. Hearing none, Henderson then called for a vote.

“All in favor say Aye,” Henderson said.

All seven councilors present gave their approval.

“Any opposed?” Henderson asked. Not a single voice rang. 

Cogle’s motion passed unanimously from all members present, with Councilors Barnes, Allen, and Huff absent from the vote.

Consistency is “B to the ORING” — but it’s effective and wins every time.

Rake the muck.

Facts are stubborn things — and we’ll keep publishing them, whether city officials like them or not.

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