Columbia’s city manager has an additional code enforcement specialist, in his fiscal year 2026 proposed budget. He’s still working on other details.
Columbia city council members asked numerous questions during Monday’s 90-minute work session at city hall, which was an overview of the city’s general fund. Council members were briefed on a 27-page report. City manager De’Carlon Seewood tells 939 the Eagle that the work session provides council members with an outline of that fund:
“It’s not necessarily getting into the numbers but more the aspect of how it’s established, how is it laid out, how it’s funded,” Mr. Seewood says.
He’s proposing the additional code enforcement specialist, which would bring the number to eight in the city. That proposed position would be in city Housing and Neighborhood Services. First Ward council member Valerie Carroll praises the plan. Mr. Seewood is also proposing two new airport safety officers at Columbia Regional Airport (COU).
Mr. Seewood tells 939 the Eagle that a pay raise for city employees is currently part of his proposed budget, but he doesn’t have an exact dollar amount yet. Mr. Seewood also says cigarette tax revenue is declining in the city, due to a decline in smoking and more people vaping. The 27-page report shows that the cigarette tax generated about $423,000 in FY 2020. Mr. Seewood projects that number to drop to $291,700 in FY 2026. He also says cable TV taxes are declining in the city.
