Columbia’s city manager is ecstatic with the new $533-million budget approved by the council. It took effect on Sunday, which was the start of the city’s fiscal year.
The budget includes pay raises for the city’s approximately 1,500 city employees that are six percent above market and across-the-board increases of two percent for eligible permanent employees, not to exceed the maximum of the new pay ranges. The pay raises have been a top priority for city manager De’Carlon Seewood.
“This is probably one of the easiest budget processes we’ve went through. But it’s a great budget and it actually speaks to what our residents say are important to them,” Mr. Seewood says.
Columbia’s city council unanimously approved the budget in September. The pay plan has been on Mr. Seewood’s mind since he proposed his budget this summer. He tells 939 the Eagle it’s linked with the recruitment and retention of city employees.
“We have to let our employees realize that they are an important part of our process. Without our employees, we cannot do. And so we have really show them that we appreciate them and this is exactly how we can do that,” Mr. Seewood says.
Columbia’s city council unanimously approved the budget, which also increases funding for the Columbia Water Utility by $1.1 million.
