Posted
on Wed Jul 28, 2010
Last updated
Jul 28, 2010
As Columbia city officials work with next year's budget, they're real concern comes over finances in 2012.
Wednesday city manager bill Watkins told us that's when he expects more cuts to programs and jobs. He says growing pension and health care costs will weigh heavily on the budget. Expected shortfalls in sales tax revenue will also take a toll.
"Frankly, our current budget and what I propose for fiscal year 2011 are based on getting through 2012, which we think will be a very tight year" said Watkins.
Next year's proposed budget stands about 79 million dollars less than this year. And here's how that could affect you.
With city council approval, your utility bill will increase by about eight dollars a month. We're told that will cover an increase in the cost of service.
Eight vacant firefighter positions will be eliminated. But the budget shows more money for projects to improve damaged sewer lines and some intersections in town.
If approved, all of these proposed changes will go into effect October first.
If you'd like to take a look at the city's proposed budget for yourself, just click on the link to the right.
