Possible hike in property tax to add to police force

Columbia City Council is considering raising the property tax rate in order to increase funding for the Columbia Police Department. Steven Sapp, spokesman for the city of Columbia, said, “If we don’t have additional revenue sources, then the community… is really going to have to face some tough choices.”

City Manager Mike Matthes, City Councilor Michael Trapp and Sapp agree that the Columbia Police Department should have more officers in the streets. The city has authorized the Police Department to employ 173 officers, and has added 17 positions since 2014. But there are currently 17 unfilled positions on the force.

“It’s difficult to find people that want to do that kind of work now,” said Sapp. “We do get qualified applicants, but they’re not in the numbers that they used to be.” Matthes said the force is currently understaffed by 30 percent.

The budget for next year will be released to the City Council July 21.