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 members who favored pay adjustments framed them as retention and competitiveness measures.

On amendments, the council approved an increase to the Historical Society and Museum maintenance allocation from $24,750 to $34,750 after council members reported follow-up from the museum on how funds would be spent. The council also struck a line listing Experience Columbia under proposed tourism-related allocations and relabeled that portion "TBD" (to be determined). The mayor indicated the Experience Columbia amount would instead be managed within the town's tourism allotment and recorded as unspecified pending partner confirmation.

Council members debated process and municipal priorities before taking the final vote. The motion to adopt second reading of ordinance 2025.005 with the stated amendments was made by Mayor Pro Tem Brock and seconded by Councilman McKendrick. The clerk recorded roll-call responses as: Councilwoman Paige: yes; Councilman Brock: yes; Councilwoman Fripp: yes; Councilman McKendrick: yes; Mayor Griffin: no. The clerk also announced the budget passed "3-2" in open session; the record shows those roll-call responses and the clerk's announced tally in the meeting minutes.

The council held the second reading vote during its regular meeting at Blythewood Manor. The meeting packet circulated to councilors before the vote included the full budget document, and councilors indicated no further change to the ordinance text beyond the two adopted amendments.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 2025.005, FY2025'26 municipal budget (second reading): Motion to approve with amendments made by Mayor Pro Tem Brock; second by Councilman McKendrick. Clerk recorded: Paige yes; Brock yes; Fripp yes; McKendrick yes; Mayor Griffin no. Clerk announced passage "3-2". Outcome: adopted (clerk's record and announced result captured in meeting transcript).

- Ordinance 2025.001, LDO text and map amendments (second reading): Motion to postpone indefinitely made by Councilman McKendrick; second by Mayor Pro Tem Brock. Outcome: postponed indefinitely by voice vote.

- Resolution 2025.002, supporting the Big Red Barn Retreat and Post Traumatic Growth Day: Read and adopted by the council; resolution to be delivered to the Big Red Barn leadership.

What it means

The budget vote finalizes appropriations that the council will use for municipal operations in the coming fiscal year. The council debated adding a recurring COLA but approved the package without reinstating a town-wide COLA. Councilors instead adjusted two budget line items: increasing museum maintenance funding and removing a named tourism partner allocation pending partner confirmation.

The LDO (Land Development Ordinance) rewrite was not advanced at second reading and has been postponed indefinitely for further review, giving council and staff additional time to examine the lengthy document.

Speakers

- Mayor Sloan J. Griffin III, Mayor, government - Councilwoman Paige, Town Council member, government - Mayor Pro Tem Brock, Town Council member, government - Councilwoman Fripp, Town Council member, government - Councilman McKendrick, Town Council member, government - Town Administrator Mr. Driggers, Town administration, government - Miss Durst, Town clerk, government

Authorities