The Common Council (also known as the City Council) is the Legislative Body for the City of Columbia City. The Council is made up of four elected representatives from four sections of the City, and one at-large representative, elected by the entire City. The Council has many roles and responsibilities including approving the yearly budget, setting ordinances (laws) for the City, and changing/implementing policies for city employees. The Council meets on the Second and Fourth Tuesdays of each month at 6:00pm in the Council Chambers on the 2nd floor of City Hall. Click here for a map of the Council Districts.
Mayor Ryan Daniel
There is no office in government closer to the people than the Mayor of a City. I am thankful for the opportunity to continue serving the citizens of Columbia City since 2012. Prior to my first election, I served as a Program Manager and Community Liaison in the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. I am a Columbia City High School Graduate (2003) and a Anderson University Graduate (2007) with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Political Science. I am married to Reverend Amanda Daniel and have a daughter, Aria. It is an honor to serve as Mayor of my hometown. I enjoy working with great businesses, organizations, and people to improve our community for current and future generations. We invite you to consider joining us for a weekend or decide to stay for a lifetime. We are building a future together and we want you to join us!
I welcome the opportunity to hear your comments and/or concerns.
rdaniel@columbiacity.net or on Facebook at Mayor Ryan L. Daniel.
Office: 260-248-5111
Fax: 260-248-5105
Office hours 7:30AM-4:00 PM*
Monday-Friday
*To set up an appointment with the Mayor, please call the office in advance as schedules tend to fluctuate from day to day.
Clerk Treasurer Rosie Coyle
This is my 10th term in office. I have been honored serving our community and the citizens of Columbia City. I am a designated Indiana Accredited Municipal Clerk and have served as District Director for the Indiana Association of Clerks and Clerk Treasurers, served as Executive Director of the Indiana Clerk’s League for Third Class Cities, have served on the Columbia City/Whitley County Joint Planning Board and as a member of our Computer Software User Advisory Board. In 2006 I received the Financial Municipal Management Award for the State of Indiana. In 2014 I was honored to receive a “Distinguished Hoosier” award from Governor Michael Pence. I started working for the City in 1965 and August 2022 marked 57 years at the city. (Does not seem possible)
I am the daughter of the late Joe & Mary Parent. My husband Larry and I have 3 children Chad Coyle (deceased), Todd (Carmen) Coyle, Kimberly (Jerry) Jones, and have four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. My church affiliation is St. Paul of the Cross.
rmcoyle@columbiacity.net
Office: 260-248-5100
Fax: 260-248-5105
Jennifer Middleton
Councilwoman
Jenny was born and raised in Fort Wayne, but has always had strong ties to Columbia City, with both of her parents graduating from Columbia City High School. After serving three years in the U.S. Army as a military police officer, Jenny relocated back to Columbia City to be closer to her family.
Jenny began her civilian career at Centennial wireless where she excelled as a Sales Executive and eventually worked her way up to Director of Sales. While working for Centennial Wireless, she also went to college completing her Associates Degree in Business Management at Ivy Tech. Jenny went through an acquisition by at&t and enjoyed a short stint with them as District Manager, before embarking on her journey as an entrepreneur. Over the years, Jenny has co-owned seven at&t dealer stores, yo2go, Real Estate Holding Company, and several Cravin Vapes locations. Currently, Jenny is sole owner of Sun Kiss Tanning. She spends a majority of her time behind the scenes, ensuring that the store continues to run smoothly and adapts as needed, to shifting trends in the industry.
In Jenny’s down time she loves to travel, cook and coach youth soccer. Jenny looks forward to stepping into her knew role as City Council Woman, listening to the community and addressing their concerns and needs. Jenny is focused on the community and committed to helping Columbia City grow.
jmiddleton@columbiacity.net
Phone: 260-609-8022
Dan Weigold
Councilman
I am honored to have the opportunity to serve for my fourth term as your Columbia City Council at Large representative. I will continue to bring a high level of trust and responsibility to this position. My ability to listen and openly communicate the issues has been a very rewarding experience. I have resided in Columbia City for 32 years. My current employer is Whitley County Government. There I serve as GIS Coordinator. I serve on the Columbia City Plan Commission and the City’s ordinance review committee. I am currently beginning my sixth year as Columbia City Varsity Softball coach and have been coaching high school athletics for 32 years, 24 years here in Columbia City. Iearned the rank of Eagle Scout as a member of the Boy Scouts of America. I am an active member of the Columbia City United Methodist Church serving with the jail ministries. I enjoy all types of sporting events. Most importantly spending time with my wife Laura for the past 30 years and counting, son Kyle and daughter in law Kirstie and daughter Anna and soon to be son in law Dennis Ratliff. Columbia City is a great place to raise a family. I am very excited and proud to be part of Columbia City
Government that works hard to make our City a prosperous and safe place to live.
dweigold@columbiacity.net
Phone: 260-248-8605
Jennifer Romano
Councilwoman
Jennifer Romano is a lifelong resident of Whitley County. She grew up in rural Thorncreek Township. A graduate of Columbia City High School, she holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication from Purdue University at Fort Wayne. In addition to being the owner of a small business for more than a decade, she is the executive director of the Whitley County Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center. With more than 25 years of professional experience, she has a strong background in marketing, journalism, public relations, graphic design, photography, non-profit leadership and social media.
A devoted long-time community volunteer, Jennifer has a deep love for this community, striving in many ways to improve the community for future generations.
Serving as the Southwest District representative on the Columbia City Common Council since August 2015, Jennifer chairs the ordinance committee and served on other committees as needed. Through her work on the Council, Jennifer enjoys meeting with citizens, listening to their concerns, identifying their needs and seeking meaningful solutions while keeping everyone’s best interest in mind.
Jennifer and her husband, Tony, are the parents of three children they are proud to raise in this warm, vibrant community. In her spare time, she enjoys outdoor activities, music, history, photography, painting and spending time with her family and friends.
mailto:jromano@columbiacity.net
Phone: 260-610-1873
Tad Varga
Councilman
Tad Varga has been a resident of Columbia City since 1995. Tad and his wife Kim have 3 sons and 1 daughter. In 1992 he graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Telecommunications Sales and Marketing. Since 1999 Tad has been president and co-owner of Whitley County based Three Birds Casual which designs, manufactures and distributes luxury patio furniture around the world. When not running his business and serving on the City Council, Tad helps coach the local YMCA swim team and is involved with many different groups and committees within the community and his church. This is the second term that Tad has served on the Columbia City Common Council. Tad can be reached at
tvarga@columbiacity.net
Phone: 260-804-2076
Walt Crowder
Council President
Columbia City Northeast District resident Walter Crowder is the Northeast District Councilman, which includes Districts 4, 6 and 8. I’m currently President of City Council, seats on Columbia City Board of Works.
“I’m the current President of Columbia City Common Council, my major responsible is stepping in when the Mayor becomes unavailable. I’ve been Council President for the past 13 years,”
“Today, I’m serving on several boards for the City of Columbia City and on combined boards between Whitley County Gov. / Columbia City.” “The reason I ran for my 5th term, I wanted to represent our citizens at City Council meetings and at Board of Works meeting. I’m a good listener, who wants to hear ideas and concerns.
First elected to the position in 2000, Walt Crowder and his wife, Joy, have been married 44 years. Family members include his daughter, Jodi Dorais, and her husband, Eric Dorais. A son, Ryan Crowder. There are also three grandchildren, Coulter Grant Mills, Luke Mills Grant and Taylor Crowder.
I believe Columbia City is an excellent place for new residents to call home and for businesses to grow and prosper. “Columbia City is always looking for investors to help build our continuous growth of our city. Today, We have more choices in housing, shopping and rental properties. “Columbia City is one of the fastest growing cities in Indiana. The growth areas are expanding in all directions of the City.
This means we need to be ready and we are ready. We are improving our Utilities Infrastructure, Electrical Power Sub stations, Water Dept, Sewage Dept and separation of Sewage and Storm Water.
We are becoming a technology driven City, our utilities department are converting to wireless data collections process for billing. Safety continues to be #1 priority, “I support and promote Columbia City as a safe place to live. Our “Emergency Services” Police, Fire and EMS have increased to more calls than ever over the past few years.
We have invested capital funding to build and moved into a new Communications Dispatch Center. The Dispatch Center is designed for our needs today and ready for our future.
I count himself among the team players in the community working to make it a great place — a team effort that is necessary for success in an ever-changing environment.
“The team players include Columbia City’s elected officials, Whitley County elected officials, the Whitley County Chamber of Commerce and the Whitley County Economic Development Corporation. They are promoting our City and County strengths and putting them together to draw new businesses.”
mailto:wcrowder@columbiacity.net
Phone: 260-244-5333
Marcia McNagny
City Attorney
Marcia A. McNagny is a lifelong resident of Whitley County, Indiana. After attending Columbia City Joint High School, she received her bachelor’s degree from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. She then obtained her JD from Indiana University School of Law, Bloomington, Indiana and returned to Whitley County to open a private practice in Columbia City and to work with her mother, Patricia A. McNagny (JD Indiana University – Bloomington, 1951).
In 1997, McNagny joined Jonathan Myers, Greggory Hockemeyer and Soultana Myers to form what is now Myers Hockemeyer & McNagny LLP. McNagny has served as the City Attorney or Deputy City Attorney for the City of Columbia City since 1998. She often assists non-profit organizations in their establishment and continued operations and has served on numerous boards of organizations. McNagny’s primary areas of focus are estate and succession planning, trust and estate administration, small business, real estate and municipal law.
McNagny is a member of the Whitley County Bar Association, Huntington County Bar Association, Indiana Municipal Lawyers Association, Indiana State Bar Association, American Agricultural Law Association, NAELA, and is a Master Fellow of the Indiana Bar Foundation.
Phone 260-248-5100