Columbia Council Reviews 2027 Budget

Columbia City Council members continued work Monday night on the city’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget.

The budget calls for a 1.4 percent increase in public safety spending, including a 2.5 percent increase for the fire department and a point-seven percent increase for police.

Residents raised concerns about transparency and proposed changes to downtown parking garage rates.

Council members also discussed the cost of false alarm calls, which total more than 495-thousand dollars annually for police and fire.

The council is scheduled to vote on the budget September 21.