Columbia utility customers can round up bills to help neighbors in need
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The City of Columbia is giving residents a new way to help neighbors struggling to pay their utility bills.
The city announced Wednesday that customers can now donate through their monthly utility bills by rounding their payment up to the nearest dollar. The average donation is expected to be about 50 cents a month, with contributions capped at $11.88 over a full year.
For example, a customer with a $74.35 utility bill could round their payment up to $75, with the additional 65 cents going toward a fund that provides financial assistance to Columbia residents experiencing financial hardship.
The program comes as the city works to stretch its existing utility assistance funding. Austin Krohn, a spokesperson for Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services, said the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget includes $600,000 for utility assistance.
The program ran out of funding quickly during Fiscal Year 2026. According to previous reporting, the city had spent about $580,000 of its $600,000 annual budget just two months into the fiscal year. That prompted Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services to request an additional $200,000 from reserves.
Krohn said the city plans to take a different approach this upcoming fiscal year.
"We are planning to reduce the assistance amount from $900 per household for electric bills to $500 per household. We also plan to put an $80k a month cap in place," Krohn wrote in an email.
The city hopes the program will help about 1,200 people, although officials do not yet know how much money the new donation program will raise. Eligible recipients will receive a set amount of assistance.
Two groups of residents may qualify for utility assistance: Seniors and people with disabilities, as well as families with children.
Applicants may qualify if they or someone in their household is older than 60 years old or permanently disabled. Families may also qualify if the applicant is the parent or legal guardian of a child and meets the program's custody and school requirements.
Applicants must also meet residency and income requirements. Their household income must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, and they must be permanent Boone County residents or Boone Electric customers who meet the other eligibility requirements.
Once customers enroll in the donation program, their participation is automatic and the contribution will appear on their monthly utility statement. Customers who want to give more can choose a fixed monthly donation of $1, $5 or $10, or make a one-time contribution.
The City said contributions to the utility assistance fund are tax-deductible.
Check back for updates.
