Columbia City Council set to approve budget of $474 million
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
On Monday night, the Columbia City Council is set to approve the fiscal year 2022 budget for the city which is approximately $474 million dollars.
Monday's meeting will be the third and final public hearing for the budget.
Jobs
Due to the pandemic, the city previously cut 78.5 full time positions. In the 2022 budget, Columbia is set to add 38.75 full time positions back to the city.
Six of the nearly 39 positions will be set aside for Columbia Police Department. The addition of these six positions will cost the city around $387,000.
Columbia will also be adding five positions to the Columbia Fire Department and a few to the Columbia/Boone County Health Department.
American Rescue Plan Act Funds
The city of Columbia is set to receive $25,284,624 under the American Rescue Plan Act. The city plans to spend this money in several different categories.
- Broadband - $10 million
- Mental Health Treatment Center - $3 million
- Shelter for the Homeless - $3 million
- Stormwater Projects -$3 million
- Task Force to Fight Community Violence - $2 million
- Workforce Development - $1.45 million
At the second public hearing for the budget meeting, some residents voiced their requests for Columbia City Council to allocate these funds to help "those less fortunate or impacted by the pandemic."
With the breakdown of the American Rescue Plan funds, the city will be investing in more accessible and affordable internet. The city will also be setting aside three million dollars to help create a multi-purpose space for the community including the homeless population.
Columbia plans to create a two year pilot project which would develop a 24 hour crisis center to help improve the mental and public health of residents. The project would also strive to provide immediate access and early intervention for substance abuse.
A full breakdown of the American Rescue Plan funds for the city can be found on page 49 on the budget.
The city was also awarded $12,642,312 from the CARES Act.
