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PrintCOLUMBIA — The Columbia City Council will consider the fiscal 2011 budget for the final time Monday night. The council will meet at 7 p.m. in its chambers at 701 E. Broadway, with a pre-dinner meeting at 5:45 p.m. to discuss a report on the downtown cameras, the dinner train and budget amendments.
Since City Manager Bill Watkins published his proposed $385.5 million budget in July, the council and Mayor Bob McDavid have proposed to reduce it by $136,495 through amendments.
- Here's the first of two pages of budget amendments being considered by the Columbia City Council.
- Here is the second of two pages of budget amendments being considered by the Columbia City Council.
- The text of the city manager's proposed budget for fiscal year 2011.
Utility Rate Increases
If the budget passes, utility rates will increase for all four city utilities. The average monthly increase will be $8.25 on top of a $8.70 increase last year. That includes a 15 percent increase in sewer rates, 10 percent for water and a $1 increase for garbage collection per residence.
The council will debate whether to raise the electric rates either 2 percent or 3 percent. Watkins originally proposed a 3 percent increase in his budget, but at the Sept. 7 council meeting, McDavid called for a smaller 2 percent increase. If the council adopts McDavid's 2 percent recommendation, it would mean collecting $1.2 million less than if the rate was raised 3 percent.
Public Safety
The council has amendments in line to fill four vacant firefighter positions at a cost of $344,000, after two retirements and two resignations. They partially staff a new two-person vehicle at Fire Station No. 2. To partly offset the costs, the Fire Department would decrease its budget $150,000 in areas such as travel and training according to a previous Missourian report.
The police department plans to hire one police officer and two dispatchers if the proposed budget passes. The new staff will cost $175,535.
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