The Columbia City Council unanimously adopted the City’s fiscal year (FY) 2024-2025 budget on final consideration Thursday, June 13, 2024. The approved budget, totaling $75,816,451 for all funds, was achieved without a property tax increase and ensures the maintenance and enhancement of core City services.
The FY 2024-25 budget reflects strategic, plan-driven investments across all City departments. A key focus is on continuing to invest in City employees, including a 5% salary increase for all personnel, to enhance the City’s competitiveness in recruiting and retaining staff.
Mayor Chaz Molder stated, “I am so incredibly proud of this year’s budget, the largest operating budget in our city’s history – a fiscally sound, infrastructure-focused, and people-oriented budget. This budget will ensure our city maintains its momentum and remains on the trajectory for forward progress. I am also grateful for our skilled staff that presents a budget to Council year in and year out. This budget will reach every resident of our city and I can’t wait to watch various projects unfold. Most of all, I am proud that we are investing again in our most precious asset, the city employee, with an annual raise that exceeds this year’s cost of living adjustment – a testament to Council’s focus on employees.”
Of the total budget, 62% ($47,282,009) is allocated to the City’s General Fund, the primary operating fund that supports most of the City’s core services, including public works, parks, fire, police, and administration. The General Fund saw a 1.2% increase ($2.7 million) over last year.
City Manager Tony Massey remarked, “This budget exemplifies our steadfast dedication to strategic planning and fiscal responsibility. By investing in our personnel and infrastructure, we are ensuring Columbia’s continued growth and capacity to provide exceptional services to our residents.”
This budget also includes several capital projects and initiatives. Nearly $76.6 million is allocated for the City’s FY 2025-2029 Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The five-year CIP, totaling $138.9 million, includes major multi-year projects such as the renovation of Fire Station No. 1, construction of a new wastewater treatment facility and pump station upgrades, replacement of the roof at City Hall, Public Works facility upgrades, intersection improvements at Nashville Highway and Bear Creek Pike, street resurfacing projects, technology and capital equipment replacements, and downtown way-finding signage.
Assistant City Manager and CFO Thad Jablonski noted, “We have maintained our reserves at strong, historic levels, our debt obligations are relatively low and manageable, and we held the line again this year on taxes with no increases in this year’s budget. Conservative financial management combined with strategic investments in the City’s infrastructure and workforce will continue to provide increased quality of life to City of Columbia citizens and businesses.”
Click here for more information about the FY 2024-2025 Budget.
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