Columbia City Council to discuss budget changes amid COVID-19

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia's City Council will hold a meeting Monday night at 7 p.m., in which both the budget and COVID-19 will be big talking points.

A presentation on the budget is included in the agenda for a pre-council meeting scheduled for 5 p.m. The document details the losses in revenue from COVID-19.

According to the city, the total revenue for fiscal year 2020 is currently projected to be more than $6 million less than that of the previous year.

The city's total spending in regards to COVID-19 has totaled over $2.3 million. Over $2 million of that comes from personnel costs, while just over $200,000 comes from operating supplies and materials.

Stabilizing the major changes in revenue is going to be a main focus for the council in the discussion Monday night.

The council has proposed several ideas to make up for the lost funds. Those include transferring money from sewer, solid waste or parking funds.

The document also included suggestions to increase suggested increasing business licensing fees, something that has not been done since 1964.