Columbus City Council looks to salary increases

Columbus City Council will be discussing next year’s budget this week.

Jamie Brinegar, the city’s finance director, said that the biggest change year over year will be made to accommodate the changes recommended by a recently completed salary study. For example, the 2019 budget is seeking almost $274,000 more for city police officers than the 2018 budget. Firefighter salaries would increase about $285,000 over this year’s level.

The council will hold two special meetings this week for budget negotiations. The first will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday afternoon and the second will be Thursday afternoon at 1 p.m. Both are scheduled to be held in the council chambers at Columbus City Hall.