Columbus general fund grows to over $1 million

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The city of Columbus’s budget looks a lot different than it did this time last year — and in a green way.

After being over $71,000 in the hole in October of 2018, as of October of this year, the city’s general fund is over $1.1 million.

Last year Mayor Robert Smith designed a saving plan to get the city back on track.

That plan included generating money from salaries and benefits from positions that were left open like nine police openings.

That alone saved the city nearly$500,000.

Columbus Mayor Robert Smith said it took work from everyone to save this much so fast.

“I’m very excited. I’d like to personally thank the council for adopting my eight-month saving plan. it was a team effort. When I say team effort, the mayor, city council, the department head and the employees all working together,” said Mayor Smith.

Total employee savings were from 32 open positions throughout various departments, including an assistant police chief position which Mayor Smith said the city will fill in 2020.

As of December 3, the city has $2.1 million in savings and revenue.