Back at it Leona Plaugh At its budget workshop Wednesday morning, April 28, Columbia City Council hammered away at the 2010/11 budget, trying to avoid a tax increase and trying to avoid cuts of essential budget items. The city budget must gain final approval by June 30. The new fiscal year begins July 1, which is also when Mayor–elect Steve Benjamin will be sworn in.

The current fiscal year is running about $5.7 million under budget.

The city’s published general fund budgeted for 2010/11 is $107,395,624, and that supplies a $2 million reserve, leaving $105,395,624. However, city council appears prepared to withhold only $1 million in reserve, leaving $106,395,624 to spend for the year.

The budget projected for fiscal year 2011/12 is $108,171,204, and a $2 million reserve leaves $106,171,204.

While the city ponders a tax increase of 3.8 mils (which would solve the budget’s police problem “forever,” says Mayor Coble), it has targeted Wednesday, May 12 for an all–important budget workshop. The workshop will finally identify what non–essential budget items can be cut from parks & recreation, development services and central administration, the three areas where city council thinks it can find the most opportunities for cuts.

Still at it Kirkman Finlay III Gains in revenues include a two percent rate increase for water and sewer.

The fire department has gained a grant good for $1.4 million, which allows the city to cut $700,000 a year from its budget for the next two years.

The police department automobiles purchase plan was deferred last year, making this year’s tab $9 million And if it is deferred again, the next year’s police car replacement plan will cost $13 million, which is why the additional 3.8 mils tax increase is so attractive. The police vehicles must be replaced. There is no substitute action.

Acting Chief Financial Officer Bill Ellis The opportunity for savings in personnel cuts comes with early retirements and unfilled vacancies, a number that is expected in a report on May 12.

Gergel asked repeatedly what, exactly, could be categorized as non–essential. She also said she was frightened by what she read recently about Darlington, S.C. and its lack of emergency funds.

Steve Gantt, interim city manager, sees savings of about $2.9 million coming from a combination of drops in the costs of public works, fleet management, vacancies unfilled/early retirement, and other areas. The city furloughs of 48 hours per employee would still have to remain in effect, but community promotions would not have to be cut. Hospitality taxes would continue to fund matters of hospitality.

The city’s acting Chief Financial Officer, Bill Ellis, fielded questions from council on the city’s retirement plan, which is about the most generous in South Carolina. The $19 million in reserve for the city’s retirees is the most in the state.

Mayor–elect Benjamin on several occasions during the budget meeting pushed for continuation of the city fire department’s collaborative efforts with Richland County, to include further collaboration and eventual consolidation.

At–large council member Rickenmann reminded council of the changes in the city employees’ healthcare plan due to take effect July 1 for all new hires from that time on.