Nick Stoner / KCOU News / September 8th, 2010
COLUMBIA– The city council grew closer to finalizing the Columbia budget at a meeting Tuesday, which saw mayor Bob McDavid call for a reduction in the increase of electric rates.
Concerned about the current economic outlook, McDavid proposed to shave the increase from three-percent to two-percent, which would save residents about 85-cents per month. Under city manager Bill Watkins’ plan, the electric rates would cost Columbians eight extra dollars per month.
McDavid faced off against much of the council on the utility issue last night as the council worked to finalize amendments to the $385.5 million budget.
“This utility rate increase is a lot for our citizens given that ten thousand of our citizens live on then thousand dollars a year. Adding over eight dollars a month to utility bill is a substantial burden.”
Electric rates were not the only point of contention for McDavid. He also cast the only dissenting vote in a 6 to 1 decision to increase the police review board’s budget by $8,700.
Council members cut almost all of the department’s budgets in half–with much of the money saved going toward one new police officer and four new firefighters.
The council could approve the budget amendments and utility rate increase at its next meeting on September 20th.
