93.9 The Eagle – The News and Talk of Columbia, MO
The Columbia City Council will likely hear on Monday night more about the potential next phase in reopening Boone County.
The city said on Friday an announcement is probably coming the week of May 25 on relaxing more restrictions. That assumes the number of new coronavirus cases remains low. Those could line up with potential changes to the state’s order, which is set to expire on May 31. Boone County has more restrictions on business and gatherings than the state. Local businessman Paul Prevo filed a lawsuit asking for a temporary restraining order against the restrictions, but a judge rejected that on Friday.
Columbia’s release says the next steps could include allowing increased capacity for all businesses and organizations, the reopening of venues like bars, and the return of some mass gatherings. The first floor of City Hall reopens Monday, as part of an effort to slowly reopen several Columbia facilities.
The council will also look at a shrinking budget on Monday night.
Columbia finance director Matthew Lue said at the May 4 pre-council meeting that the city is planning on a 7.3% decrease in general fund revenues for the rest of this fiscal year. That includes a $2.3 million cut in sales tax revenue. The city is planning on a 10% drop in sales tax revenue in Fiscal Year 2020 compared to FY 2019.
The city is planning to cut back on spending, especially in personnel. A hiring freeze is already in place, and the city has about a hundred openings in non-essential positions out of its 153 unfilled vacant positions, according to Lue.
(This story was last updated at 5:53 a.m. Monday.)
