City of Columbia suggests $7 million less from initial 2027 budget proposals

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been corrected to show the "cuts" are suggestions based on proposals submitted by each department at the start of the process.

COLUMBIA Mo. (KMIZ)

The City of Columbia is proposing cuts in its fiscal year 2027 budget due to a $7.37 million general fund deficit.

City documents report the city is operating on a "status quo" baseline, with the city manager's looking at internal changes across multiple departments to guarantee a balanced budget.

During the initial draft of Columbia's fiscal year budget, the department's requests for continuing operations and new funding items outpaced expected revenues.

To meet mandatory balancing requirements before council consideration, the city manager and department directors held internal meetings to implement suggestions to reduce the proposed deficit.

The Columbia Police Department budget is facing almost $2 million from its proposed amount.

To capture more savings, the city will freeze hiring on eight vacant full-time positions, which would also delay the hiring of two requested Real-Time Information Center positions for CPD. Additionally, CPD will have to defer the replacement of its drone fleet.

The city manager cut $1 million in budget suggestions from the Columbia Fire Department.

Excluded from any projected revenue is a proposed 1% public safety sales tax, which awaits the August election

If approved, the city said that the tax is projected to generate an additional $38 million in funding annually for fire and police.

The funds would go to the building of a new police headquarters and the hiring of additional firefighters and police officers.

Outside of the public safety cuts, the city is also proposing the reduction of Utility Assistance Funding. Reducing the funding from $600,000 to $400,000 in 2027.

ABC 17 reached out to the Columbia City Council and the City Manager's office and has not heard back.

Monday's work session starts at 3 p.m.