Council identifies priorities at mini-retreat

COLUMBIA — With $335,000 in funds available for the council’s discretionary use in 2009, City Council members met with city staff during a work session to discuss priorities for how that money could best be used in the next year. The session was a mini-retreat to set the agenda for budget issues for a second, longer retreat planned for City Council members in June. Among their concerns were allocating enough money for after-school and youth programs like the existing CARE program, providing more staff training, planning for energy efficient buildings and implementing affordable housing plans.