Columbia city manager outlines proposed tax hike

Columbia City Manager, Mike Matthes outlined his budget proposal Friday morning. He calls the 2015 budget a, “watershed year”. The budget is about $429 million dollars, with revenue of $399 million.

The city will need voter approval on several issues including a property tax hike. That tax increase would allow for the hiring of 30 new police officers and 15 firefighters.

Also needing voter approval is a tax to replace and modernize electric demands, and a development fee for roads.

Another proposed tax would help fund 64 stormwater and drainage projects.

Matthes’ last proposed tax would be a Capital Improvement Sales Tax. It would update fire equipment and stations. It would also add police precinct buildings.