Columbia News

At the Sept. 16 meeting, the Columbia City Council approved the City’s budget for fiscal year 2025. The FY25 budget outlines priorities and all planned activities for the upcoming fiscal year that runs from Oct. 1, 2024, through Sept. 30, 2025. The City’s priorities for FY25 include infrastructure, public safety, housing, and social services.

“With the City budget officially approved, I am thrilled about the opportunities that lie ahead for our community. This funding allows us to implement key projects and initiatives that will enhance the quality of life for our residents,” said City Manager De’Carlon Seewood. “I am excited to work alongside our dedicated employees to turn these plans into reality and make a positive impact in the coming fiscal year.”

The City of Columbia’s total budget is divided into two parts: the operation budget and the capital improvement plan (CIP) budget. The operation budget covers day-to-day expenses such as salaries, utilities, and supplies. This portion must be balanced each fiscal year as required by the City Charter which states, “In no event shall the total amount of proposed expenditures exceed the estimated income of the city."

The CIP budget funds current and future capital improvement projects which often take more than a year to complete. Consequently, funds appropriated for these projects are not spent within the same fiscal year they are originally budgeted.

The FY25 budget is supported through multiple funding sources including bonds, grants, and cash reserves.

For 27 consecutive years, Columbia's Finance Department has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association. This award reflects Columbia's commitment to high principles of governmental budgeting.

“The City’s Finance department works tirelessly each year to craft a balanced budget that will support the City’s many functions and services for the upcoming fiscal year,” said Finance Director Matthew Lue. “I am confident that the fiscal year 2025 budget adopted by the City Council will support the City’s mission of making Columbia the best place to live, work, learn and play.”