Some Columbia residents are pushing back against a proposed four percent increase in water rates.
Several residents testified against the plan during Monday night’s public hearing before Columbia’s city council. Columbia Water and Light says the proposed water rate increase is needed to maintain adequate cash reserves and to meet the utility’s debt coverage requirements. Columbia Water and Light serves more than 51,000 customers, and the sale of water is a major source of revenue for the department.
The council also held its first public hearing Monday on city manager De’Carlon Seewood’s proposed $558-million budget, which calls for 31 new city positions and emphasizes several priorities. Those priorities include infrastructure, public safety, housing and social services. Mr. Seewood is also proposing a pay raise for Columbia’s approximately 1,500 city employees: the pay raise averages 3.5 percent.
You can also testify about Mr. Seewood’s proposed budget on August 19 and September 3: Columbia’s fiscal year begins on October 1.
