2020 Columbus city budget receives initial approval

The first reading of the proposed 2020 Columbus city budget was approved Tuesday night.

The total budget is $63,493,880 with an adopted tax rate of 1.4317 percent. Jamie Brinegar, the city’s director of finance, explained that the actual certified tax rate won’t be known until the state authors certified figures. The actual tax rate is expected to be lower than the adopted rate. City officials are expected to have that figure shortly after the start of the new year.

Brinegar says that “people costs” of salaries and benefits for city employees account for the most spending in the budget.

For employees at, or above, their mid-point, a two-percent cost of living adjustment is being budgeted. City officials say that actual raises will be merit-based and can be more or less than two-percent.

The city is also taking measures to shore-up the health insurance plan.

The total budget is $63,493,880 with an adopted tax rate of 1.4317 percent. Brinegar explained that the actual certified tax rate won’t be known until the state authors certified figures. The actual tax rate is expected to be lower than the adopted rate. City officials are expected to have that figure shortly after the start of the new year.

Council approved the measure unanimously. The second reading is scheduled for October 15.