Jefferson City Council approves 2024 budget at Monday night meeting

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

On Monday night, the Jefferson City Council approved city's fiscal year 2024 budget.

The budget includes more than $82 million in funding, which is about a $3 million increase from the original budget that was proposed. Director of Finance ITS, Shiela Pearre told ABC 17 News that a portion of the additional funding will be used toward parking in the city, and to bring parks up to 100% of administration chargebacks.

As part of the proposed budget, $9,718,933.50 will be used toward the city's police department. Some of that funding includes money toward salaries, as well as overtime pay.

The city has recently tried upping its recruitment efforts for the police force. The council earlier this year approved $50,000 for a marketing campaign in hopes of filling vacancies.

The city also increased the amount of money that will be used toward police vehicles, and approved about $70,000 for active-shooter vests for officers.

According to the mayor-approved budget on the city’s website, there will be $715,127.24 used towards school resource officers across schools in the city, as well as $10,190,704.05 for the fire department.

Council members also approved a new contract for yard waste removal at the meeting. The new contract will be city owned and managed, and is costing the city slightly less than what it is currently paying. This contract is set to begin November and last through Jan. 7.

Due to the fact that city staff will have to manage the site, it is only expected to be used on the weekends.

The city's current contract is set to expire on Oct. 31.