[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6031546,"mediaKeyId","5472346-107c168eddf30a7d5bce1e5c474967ed","parentId",5472346,"title","Utilities, airport, transit and other enterprise funds generally solvent; electric and water faces longer‑term pressure","audioSeconds",186,"startMs",3005000,"endMs",3191000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5472346-107c168eddf30a7d5bce1e5c474967ed&start=3005&end=3191","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5472346-107c168eddf30a7d5bce1e5c474967ed/thumbnail_3005000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6031546/Columbia/Boone-County/Missouri/Utilities-airport-transit-and-other-enterprise-funds-generally-solvent-electric-and-water-faces-longerterm-pressure","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6031546-913202ce498c37aa8f921d653a1a99e5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771004761&Signature=T~K~Hlko-CFChsWaj3x6AghnG3df2GSXF14juxn-a2Zlj5RyMPoJZ1GydPZDLUI7Rw1VKRzF6JII7YrFOQyQFXDYJ5dyFz4o7OtHB1kcBeTinAQGzfQHwOEMOR5t~LZUuB8EKZ2RSCCWWLuvA65TsPiuz~q0lAqMBSBYF9FpOAoDOGPIPhBA~s2chCugr9wPYmmvw1kP2u0UBNintWEKB4umSRg0nWEhe2vqHvwQ4mIQpmm~piThoJa6bXhs4nBZ7ORKj1hu8oeGLPpQq5FVg9XFqKYnvp2n4J5Uyif0vAHGkVFl7dyaBPS~TnwuOTilyZ~aDG6TkxwEZA8HYj4lOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","MO / City of Columbia","date","2025-04-21T00:00:00Z","article","Finance staff briefed council on enterprise funds, reporting most funds as stable in the near term but flagging future pressure for electric and water if current trends continue.

On the electric utility, staff said the fund is in \"a relatively okay spot for the next couple of years\" but may dip below targets around 2029 unless action is taken; staff advised that a rate increase discussion may be needed one to two years before an anticipated shortfall. ‘‘We do not include a rate increase in these projections; we just have a 1% growth due to population growth,’’ Lou said.

For water, staff said a dedicated water presentation and cost‑to‑service study is scheduled for the next pre‑council meeting; staff did not present water rate changes at this pre‑council. Sanitary sewer and stormwater projections show spending down cash above targets in some years but no planned bond issuances for the period shown.

Transit and airport are supported in part by the transportation sales tax. Transit receives roughly a $3 million annual transfer and an operating match; staff said the transportation sales tax is also used for airport and public‑works needs and that the split among airport, transit and public works is roughly a third each in typical years but may shift to meet specific capital needs. The airport also carries debt service on bonds for its terminal.

Other enterprise items discussed: the railroad/transload facility has begun to see revenue increases and will carry more of its costs internally going forward; the parking utility includes large upcoming CIP (garage improvements) that depress near‑term balances but are expected to reverse in subsequent years; solid waste has substantial cash above target but includes a planned landfill/cell project in FY‑26–27; fleet and IT internal service funds are intended to be kept near flat and charges to departments will be adjusted if those funds move toward deficits.

Staff said no formal rate changes were proposed at the pre‑council meeting; the presentation flagged areas for future council consideration and for coordination with advisory boards where applicable.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Columbia City Council Pre-Council Meeting April 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Finance staff said most enterprise funds (electric, airport, transit, sanitary sewer, stormwater, solid waste, parking and railroad operations) are solvent under current plans, though electric and water may require rate discussion before 2029. Transit operations remain subsidized by the transportation sales tax.","taxTitle","Columbia, Boone County, Missouri","taxId",2593,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6031551,"Parks & Recreation fund remains subsidized by general fund; department plans fee increases to reduce subsidy",66,2542000,2608000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5472346-107c168eddf30a7d5bce1e5c474967ed&start=2542&end=2608","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5472346-107c168eddf30a7d5bce1e5c474967ed/thumbnail_2542000.jpg","/articles/6031551/Columbia/Boone-County/Missouri/Parks-Recreation-fund-remains-subsidized-by-general-fund-department-plans-fee-increases-to-reduce-subsidy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6031551-a677888d2128604419a014ebc5abb3c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771004761&Signature=eHUZU5Iokk-if9YQaPr6vLxMp5RLBzhAQdldKiErJP4ztJjfT5ATrgAROctOhprW2OJj87npbp8Esm~ktilTJagpn0QvDxMb42-WzBWi1neVJcSbiwASL7W7GyXDCXTJU3tXw6HCMbL5E-A6H3z15XF2-MW6QGrNNKFL~~8EO~AqlxVbHsgMtV1v0YgQzODomEBI5oBsyFIcm~xCMlOzJMMcxwCGgpYrt7iddJ4Vey3BxMcsw~H-1HBeY7HRgCvRJL1NGHfV6wGYat~d-dxYcLE16zPYE2v-P3wQK2J5x5dJeldGL1-lQCWwOVGclDXj20JerbPNKr4dGIwB9SMsYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Finance staff told council members that Parks and Recreation operations and capital are now presented together in a single park sales‑tax fund and that the department receives a substantial transfer from the general fund.

‘‘This fund is subsidized by the general fund. About $5,000,000 comes from the general fund to help subsidize parks and recreation,’’ Matthew Lou said. The presentation separated operating revenues (sales tax plus activity fees) from the bottom‑line CIP revenues restricted for capital projects such as the sports fieldhouse. The CIP portion is performing well and continues to grow, finance staff said.

Parks staff plan fee increases that finance staff estimated would produce about $500,000 in additional service charges for FY‑26 and help the operating side get closer to its reserve target. Councilmembers asked whether the general‑fund transfer for parks was a voter commitment; staff reviewed the history and said the original park sales tax approved in February 2001 included voter messaging about maintaining a certain funding level.

No formal action was introduced at the pre‑council meeting; staff described the presentation as background for upcoming fee and budget discussions.","Staff said the parks and recreation operating side is slightly below its cash target and the department relies on a roughly $5 million annual subsidy from the general fund. Parks CIP is growing and staff expect proposed fee increases to add about $500,000 in service charges in FY‑26.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6031555,"Capital improvement sales tax held as a project ‘holding account’; funds earmarked for roads, police and fire",96,1815000,1911000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5472346-107c168eddf30a7d5bce1e5c474967ed&start=1815&end=1911","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5472346-107c168eddf30a7d5bce1e5c474967ed/thumbnail_1815000.jpg","/articles/6031555/Columbia/Boone-County/Missouri/Capital-improvement-sales-tax-held-as-a-project-holding-account-funds-earmarked-for-roads-police-and-fire","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6031555-28dfc201606df7852222dbdb345deed4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771004761&Signature=GqOIZvvJvXABFYU6y5gohakv2JlemjYbTB6wdg60N3tGjgw5jgPG3D9xG1z-~i8bs5nZjxQT3ehR8pLov1ximTRTjcIKwx1-bOFgi8UizoAeos-v~A~bxmyK9nU16H3hmoJNpi34yc~pNjg2wNGDMDieq1vZVSb8ic2HiL70iPpREhyUooVHDmQ6KwXm4IbK3redpcC2BgR738xhfykh9xs8G5k4xDB9M--PQs5~Vg1zRyz9rKnLGtQSS~yLL-K5HH4mATvYLJOCi11~9VlLJLJN5j1bSAtc~YguGO8dH-fCrjyICAYwzwsiSkv5uhpSgkV6Qln4pZJmcBtOzucUtQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the April 21 pre‑council meeting finance staff explained that the city’s capital improvement sales tax fund is designed to accumulate receipts and transfer them to project funds when work is scheduled.

‘‘This whole fund is…meant for that money to come in and get transferred to other funds,’’ Finance Director Matthew Lou said. Staff projected roughly $9 million in revenue for the capital improvement sales tax in 2025 and modest growth in later years based on current plans.

Councilmembers asked whether the fund keeps a cash balance and how emergency repairs are handled. Lou and staff said there is not a formal 20% reserve target on this fund because its purpose is to hold receipts until projects are funded; reserves for individual projects reside in the funds that receive transfers. Staff said emergency repairs (for example, a sewer failure that undermines a road) typically come from enterprise funds such as stormwater or utilities rather than from the CIP holding account.

Staff also noted project timing affects the appearance of the fund: years with planned large projects will show higher expenditures and lower ending cash. The finance presentation referenced coordination with public‑works staff (referred to in the meeting as Shane) on the schedule of road and sidewalk projects tied to the CIP sales tax.

No formal council action was taken; the presentation was informational and intended to clarify how the capital improvement sales tax functions and how project timing affects fund balances.","Finance staff described the city’s capital improvement sales tax as a holding account that accumulates receipts until projects are ready. Revenues are projected around $9 million in 2025; transfers fund individual CIP projects and related debt service.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6031560,"Columbia projects general fund shortfall beginning 2026; staff asked to find 3% in savings",1293,15000,1308000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5472346-107c168eddf30a7d5bce1e5c474967ed&start=15&end=1308","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5472346-107c168eddf30a7d5bce1e5c474967ed/thumbnail_15000.jpg","/articles/6031560/Columbia/Boone-County/Missouri/Columbia-projects-general-fund-shortfall-beginning-2026-staff-asked-to-find-3-in-savings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6031560-7331b35b7c03315831a9793dfbb2f1ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1771004761&Signature=eMtH9JYl2Ax0lVS9keFWaxYdC0CkvITBMRBquRDIyS2sKB4tbs5GA6c002JqvWMa0BOuXTdV6XbLUyQZIKLPzrh-bR0QVoMy2YHzG6Ifh3q42qkZsx6TwgHb8dzaCs32cJBeaMcO-LWmzUfKs4JaC4L1D5x161jZpgVEbEnla6ze2Q4rrPGsOODoLp~GNzIJl1AQ42V~hCrZgcLv1CyCTPFQgfgaiA~C7JJclcxlLGwAIlU733P~HK1Q4ezoTnEq-9ZfDni88f786qYjUKchsrOFbzmA47OLMz8OJxMc1JFQXbAUWi0LEAfABhSWDb8aT4zIMdu704gFflwMm9lSbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Columbia finance staff warned council members at the April 21 pre‑council meeting that a slowdown in sales tax growth and lower investment returns leave the city on a path toward a general‑fund deficit beginning in fiscal year 2026.

Finance Director Matthew Lou presented the revenue forecast and said the city expects to collect about $30.1 million in sales tax in fiscal 2025, roughly $1.7 million less than in 2024. ‘‘This is our…forecast for the fiscal year,’’ Lou said. City economist Deep Dev added that staff are using Oxford Economics projections and a 3.5% near‑term decline in historical monthly receipts to inform the outlook.

The forecast shows an expected ending cash balance of about $38 million in 2025 compared with a cash‑reserve target of about $25.7 million; at the presented trajectory staff said the reserve would be drawn down in later years and the city would fall below the reserve target by 2028. Lou and Dev attributed most of the near‑term uncertainty to sales and use taxes, which they described as the city’s most volatile revenue streams; property tax was described as much more stable.

Staff also noted other revenue drivers: use tax (on out‑of‑state purchases) has continued to grow year‑to‑date but is not expected to continue at the same accelerated pace; investment income is expected to decline from recent peaks as interest rates fall; and grant revenue is recorded with offsetting expenses so loss of grant funding reduces both revenue and the related expenditure. Lou told the council that some onetime 2025 expenses (for example, construction materials) were removed from the baseline when projecting out‑years.

Budget director Carlin (listed in the transcript as Carlin/D'Carlin) told council members the city is asking departments to analyze reductions and consider delaying long‑unfunded positions. ‘‘The first thing that we're looking at is actually trying to reduce our current budget…I've actually talked to the department partners about doing an analysis to look at reducing their budget by 3%,’’ Carlin said. She said the city’s general fund is heavily personnel‑driven, so reductions will be difficult and will require “a really hard look” at priorities.

Council members asked staff to clarify assumptions on annexation, pooled cash and reserves. Staff said the forecast uses a simple 1% population growth assumption rather than modeling specific annexation scenarios because development from annexation can take many years to produce receipts. Finance staff described the pooled cash process (all city receipts invested together) and said the city keeps roughly $40 million in liquid cash now; most operating funds use a 20% expense reserve target while some internal insurance and benefit funds use higher targets (75%).

Lou and Dev said the forecast is not a budget but a path—if current revenue trends continue, deficits will grow over time. Carlin said the goal for the fiscal‑year 2026 budget is to present a balanced proposal and avoid deficit spending. Departments were asked to return with analyses of potential reductions and position‑pausing options ahead of the formal budget process.

The council heard no ordinance or motion on the forecast at the pre‑council meeting; staff framed the presentation as information and direction‑seeking for budget preparations.

Looking ahead, staff said they will incorporate department responses into the formal FY‑26 budget process and return to council with recommended adjustments and options for balancing the budget.","Finance staff told the City Council at the April 21 pre-council meeting that sales-tax growth has slowed, producing a $1.7 million year-over-year drop and a budget trajectory that produces a general‑fund deficit beginning in 2026. Departments were asked to identify roughly 3% in reductions and to review long‑unfunded positions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Utilities, airport, transit and other enterprise funds generally solvent; electric and water faces longer‑term pressure

Parks & Recreation fund remains subsidized by general fund; department plans fee increases to reduce subsidy

Capital improvement sales tax held as a project ‘holding account’; funds earmarked for roads, police and fire

Columbia projects general fund shortfall beginning 2026; staff asked to find 3% in savings