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Council advances FY27 budget first reading; approves funding for third state court judge, sheriff and judge supplements
Summary
City leaders debated first reading of the FY27 budget (roughly $43.98 million) and approved several first‑reading amendments—including funding a third state court judge, a sheriff's chief‑deputy position, and a local supplement for the chief magistrate judge—while staff said final vote will be next week.
Columbus City Council opened first reading of the fiscal year 2027 operating and capital improvement budget at its June 2 meeting, with staff reporting a total operating and CIP amount of $43,975,758.
Staff and council discussed reserve days and the mayor’s recommendation to keep the millage unchanged. During the public portions of the budget discussion, the council voted to add several items on first reading:
- A budget amendment to program positions and compensation for a third state court judge, to comply with House Bill 1258. Staff listed the salary and fringe estimates to be included in the ordinance.
- A request from the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office (represented by Major John Thomas) to add a chief deputy position (grade 126); council approved the addition on a voice vote.
- A local supplement for municipal/chief magistrate Judge Steve Smith. The judge explained changes in statewide salary formulas had lowered his local pay and requested a supplement of $9,825; council later approved a benefits‑included adjustment that the city reported as $11,167.
Councilors also discussed several budget add/delete items and departmental amendment requests, and staff said the operating budget ordinance will return for final vote next week. Other departmental requests approved on first reading included a small operational item requested by the mayor pro tem.
During the budget hearing several councilors pressed departments for cost detail on high‑profile projects (for example, the pickleball complex) and asked staff to return with breakout estimates and final pricing for council consideration before final votes.
No final passage of the budget occurred at the June 2 meeting; the city manager’s office and finance staff indicated they will present any remaining clarifications and a final ordinance at the next council meeting.
