Blythewood council adopts FY2025–26 budget after narrow vote; restores museum maintenance funding, removes Experience Columbia allocation

The Blythewood Town Council on June 23 approved the town's fiscal year 2025'26 budget on second reading, adopting amendments that increase a maintenance allocation for the Historical Society and remove a proposed Experience Columbia tourism allocation.

Council members debated whether to reinstate a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for town employees, but did not add one to the adopted budget. The council approved the budget with amendments by motion; the clerk announced the measure passed, and mayoral and roll-call statements were recorded as part of the public record.

The budget vote followed an extended discussion about personnel costs. Town Administrator Mr. Driggers told council that "each 1 percent cost $8,701" when salary, retirement contribution and FICA were calculated across the town's payroll; using that figure he said a 3 percent increase would cost about $26,103. Council members who spoke against adding a COLA cited the town's limited means to raise recurring revenue and cautioned that any permanent salary increase would create a long-term liability. Council…