City employee compensation remains a top priority for Columbia’s city manager

Columbia’s city manager is calling for the city to lead the market in employee pay and benefits.

De’Carlon Seewood made the call during his recent state of the city address, and he’s expected to provide additional details during his July 11^th budget address at city hall.

Columbia’s current operating budget is $533-million, which included $10-million in pay raises for the city’s 1,500 city employees. Mr. Seewood notes the city is now offering six weeks of family leave for the first time.

Mr. Seewood is also expected to discuss GoCOMO during his budget address. That’s Columbia’s bus system. Consulting firm Olsson is currently doing a comprehensive transit study in Columbia.