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Columbia council hears FY2026 budget, adopts lower property tax rate; general fund shows $3.5M projected deficit
Summary
The City Council held a public hearing on the proposed FY2026 budget, adopted the city's 2025 property tax rate and heard concerns about a projected $3.5 million general-fund shortfall and personnel cost growth; public hearings on the budget continue Sept. 2 and Sept. 15.
The Columbia City Council on Aug. 18 opened a public hearing on the city's proposed fiscal year 2026 budget and adopted the ordinance setting the 2025 property tax rate. Council members were presented with a budget showing $558 million in total operating revenue, $539 million in operating expenditures and $59 million in capital-improvement projects, with a projected general-fund deficit of about $3.5 million for FY2026.
Why it matters: The budget frames city services and staffing for the year that begins Oct. 1. Council and staff said a major driver of the gap is personnel costs tied to recent wage adjustments intended to improve recruitment and retention; staff stressed the city still expects to finish the year above the required reserve.
Budget overview and timing City staff presented the proposed FY2026 operating revenue of about $558 million and total expenditures including capital projects of about $598 million. The proposed general fund shows roughly $132…
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