City of Columbia offering two town hall sessions on Monday on proposed budget

By Brian Hauswirth

You have two opportunities Monday to attend a town hall-style meeting to learn details about Columbia’s proposed $598-million budget.

decarlon seewood 2025 768x627 — Columbia city manager De’Carlon Seewood (2025 photo courtesy of city of Columbia website)

The city will hold a session from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm and another one from 6-8 this evening at city hall, and the same information will be presented at both sessions. Columbia spokeswoman Sydney Olsen tells 939 the Eagle that city finance director Matthew Lue will deliver the presentations and answer your questions. Mr. Lue encourages you to attend, saying these town halls are a great opportunity for Columbia residents to gain insight into how the budget process works, which he hopes will empower you to participate more actively in shaping the city’s financial decisions and priorities.

dsc00715 enhanced nr (002) — Then-Columbia Housing and Neighborhood Services director Rebecca Thompson, right, Columbia city manager De’Carlon Seewood, left, and city finance director Matthew Lue, middle, brief residents and reporters about the budget and housing in 2024 at city hall (2024 file photo courtesy of Columbia spokeswoman Sydney Olsen)

While the town halls are open to all Columbia residents, the city is asking participants to register online. Sydney Olsen says they have plenty of space if you want to attend. Mr. Seewood’s proposed budget focuses on many issues, including public safety and housing.