Columbia City Council to request additional $300,000 for utility assistance program

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ.)

On Monday, the Columbia City Council is set to meet with plans to discuss putting more money towards utility assistance.

So far, the city appropriated a total of $600,000 to the new utility assistance program but council leaders say it's already run out of all the money it had set aside for the year.

In 2021the city spent $300,000 to start the utility assistance program. The council then approved a $300,000 transfer from the general fund to the utility assistance fund for the fiscal year 2023. 

However, as of early March, nearly all of the $220,000 has been disbursed. 

The city is now asking for an additional $300,000 to be included as part of the second quarter budget amendments.

Other requests include over $141,000 for human resources, and close to 150,000 for Parks and Recreation. 

The council also plans to discuss a funding agreement to replace affordable housing on Park Avenue. Along with proposals for phase two of the Sports Field-House in Phelps Park and concerts planned for downtown this summer.

Monday's city council meeting is scheduled to begin at 5:00 p.m. at City Hall.