Columbia COVID-19 budget changes get initial approval
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Columbia City Council approved proposed changes to the budget Monday to adjust to the COVID-19 pandemic's strain on the economy.
The city expects a 7 percent reduction in revenue for the general fund. The city predicts a 10 percent reduction in sales tax alone.
City staff has recommended making a 7 percent cut to the budget in response to the expected loss in revenue.
As of April 29, the city has spent $1,023,05.20 in personnel cost and $55,171.60 in operating expenses related to COVID-19.
Sixty-seven percent of the cuts are expected to come from personnel. The city budgeted $63,298,431 for personnel for the fiscal year. The proposed adjustment would cut the budget for personnel to $59 million.
"We had about 160 positions left unfilled and I think a lot of the cuts can be absorbed through that. We will have to make some additional cuts however," said Columbia Mayor Brian Treece.
The city has had a hiring freeze since April that will continue through the rest of the fiscal year. The city will, however, hire essential personnel during that time.
"We're still considering different, the things you just described, such as furloughs and layoffs but we haven't gotten to that point yet. Our budget cycle doesn't end until September so we've got a little bit of flexibility there," said City Manager John Glascock.
Another major cut will come from capital expenses. The city budgeted $1,504,650 for capital, and is proposing to cut that funding to $704,562.
Boone County could receive $21.7 million as soon as Wednesday from the CARES Act. County leaders will decide how to distribute that money.
Monday night the city council agreed to sign a letter that will be sent to the county commission asking them to distribute the money on a per capita basis.
"We're about 130,000 of the 180 so we feel like per capita is the fairest way to do that because it was done that way federally, it was done that way by the state, so we think it should continue on down to municipalities," Glascock said.
City staff will now finalize the proposed changes and bring an amended budget back to the council for a vote.
