Columbia aims to 'lead the market' on employee pay as 2024 budget approved
The City of Columbia will enter its 2024 fiscal year with an approved budget.
After all amendments the 2024 budget is around $506 million in revenue and $546 million for expenses. General fund revenues and expenses nearly break even at roughly $121 million, with revenues slightly higher by about $24,000.
The council also wrapped up other related budget business, including updated employee classification and compensation to make Columbia competitive in the job market, approving benefit packages, including insurance, and agreements with police and laborer's unions.
"Proposed compensation rates are aiming to be fair and equitable with pay ranges 6.4% above market instead of at the median to lead the market," said Kathy Baker, human resources director.
There is a push both on the council and among city employees for solutions to pay compression and other benefits, such as family leave.
A plan to address pay compression likely will come in January, Baker said, which could reflect similar language used in collective bargaining agreements with laborer's union members. Discussions on paid family leave updates could happen in December so there could be a possible Jan. 1 start date.
The budget was approved in a unanimous vote Monday, inclusive of classification and compensation, city philosophy on employee pay, benefits and suspending bus fares for fiscal year 2024.
The Columbia Police Lieutenant's Association agreement includes a starting minimum pay of $47.62 in the three-year agreement. A five-year agreement with the Columbia Police Officers Association has starting minimum pay at $27.50. Around 60 officers will go up to this rate.
The laborer's union's four-year agreement adopts a new pay scale and will start to address pay compression in the new year. The agreement removes marijuana from pre-employment testing and removes the five-year barrier imposed on recent job applicants so long as the positive test for marijuana occurred post legalization in Missouri.
From June: These unions seek council intervention in agreements with city administration
Issuance of Water and Light bonds also were approved Monday to not exceed $27.6 million.
Among projects for the bonds is the McBaine Water Plant upgrades. Water and Light hopes to get the most projects done as soon as possible. There will be some alternate proposals since all upgrades exceed the total bond amount, said Dave Sorrell, utilities director.
He hopes to have bond sales sales done and plans ready for approval by the end of the year.
Julie Ryan with the CoMo Safe Water Coalition said that approval of the bonds are not a reason for the council to pat themselves on the back because of delays in approving upgrades to the city's water system dating back upward of four years.
More: Columbia needs to keep pace with changes, says city manager in budget message
Charles Dunlap covers local government, community stories and other general subjects for the Tribune. You can reach him at cdunlap@columbiatribune.com or @CD_CDT on Twitter. Subscribe to support vital local journalism.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Columbia City Council approves 2024 budget, higher pay for some police
