Video: Columbus City Council Hammers Out A New Budget Plan

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – With a new fiscal year in sight, the Columbus City Council is thinking about pay raises for city workers and considering requests from all departments.

The council has until September 15th to hammer out the details of a new budget plan.

As of Wednesday, the budget sits around $24 million. That’s $2 million more than last year and more than the city has to spend.

Now, the city council has to confirm just how much belt tightening city departments will have to do in order to build an operating budget.

When it comes to budget planning, it’s okay to have a wish list.

But when it comes to the bottom line, some requests just can’t be funded.

It’s all part of the  process.

For the Columbus Police Department that means cutting around $400,000 dollars in requests.

As a result, Police Chief Tony Carleton can’t hire 5 additional officers.

“Right now, it’s not an issue. I think if we were to get up to those numbers, if it became an issue, I would certainly come back before the board and say ‘hey we need to reconsider this possibly and give me a few more positions,’ but for right now, to help balance the budget, I’m in favor of that. It’s not an issue,” said Chief Carleton.

The proposed budgets submitted by the fire and public works departments will also be trimmed.

Mayor Robert Smith says the councilmen will now review the suggested cuts.

“Each councilman will have an opportunity to where as they can accept our cuts if they can add it back in where we made the cuts at, or make suggestions as far as cutting more than we’ve already cut,” said Mayor Smith.

But all city employees may see a change in their paycheck.

If this budget is approved, 277 workers will see a 3% pay raise, which adds to $10 dollars an hour.

Mayor Smith says the pay raise will be funded through general funds.

“I thought it’s a great idea, incentive, for our employees, to show them that we appreciate the job they do for the city,” added Mayor Smith.
Budget talks resume on Thursday.