Columbia’s city council is scheduled to vote Monday night on city manager De’Carlon Seewood’s proposed $558-million budget. It is an increase of $12-million from last year and calls for 31 new city positions.
Mr. Seewood says his proposed budget emphasizes four main priorities: infrastructure, public safety, housing and social services. Mr. Seewood is proposing $46-million for about 80 capital improvements, including $500,000 to replace an MKT trail bridge and $4.5 million for the Forum Boulevard project.
He’s also proposing a pay increase for Columbia’s approximately 1,500 city employees. Mr. Seewood tells 939 the Eagle that the pay increase averages 3.5 percent.
He is also proposing the creation of an affordable housing trust fund. The Columbia Board of Realtors says the average home sold price in July was $416,000, up 19 percent from last year. The board says the median home price in Boone County in July was up 11 percent to $351,000, also setting an all-time record. His proposed budget includes $1.5 million for the affordable housing trust fund. Mr. Seewood envisions the fund helping with down payment and rental assistance.
His proposed budget also emphasizes public safety: $68-million of the city’s general fund budget would go toward public safety. That’s 51 percent of the general fund budget.
