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Where can I see copies of the City’s operating budget?
Copies of the budget can be viewed on the Current & Prior Year Budgets web page.

What is the City’s budget?
The budget is one of the city’s most important documents. It guides how the City will spend public funding and outlines its priorities. The budget includes costs for everyday services such as trash pickup, street resurfacing, police and fire services, parks and recreation, and water and sewer services.

Where can I get an overview of the current budget?
The budget office website provides a summary of the budget with comparisons to previous years’ budgets. The budget public hearing presentation includes highlights of changes to the budget.

How is the City budget developed?
The City’s finances operate on a fiscal year rather than a calendar year. The fiscal year runs from July 1st through June 30th. The City’s ordinance states that the City Manager must present a balanced budget to the City Council, which must approve the budget before the end of the fiscal year.

The annual budget process commences in late summer/early fall. A budget calendar is developed that establishes the exact timelines for the process, including dates for submission of departmental requests, budget work sessions, and public hearings that lead to the final adoption of the budget. An estimated budget cycle is shown below.

How do I get involved in the budget process?
During the budget development process, the City Council holds various committee meetings that include budget discussions, public hearings, and two (2) readings of the budget. You may also speak at any regular City Council Session and during the budget public hearing. To obtain a copy of the City Council agenda, go to the City Council’s web page.

What is the difference between the Operating budget and the Capital Improvement (CIP) budget?
The Operating budget funds the day-to-day operations of the City and ongoing or recurring expenses. The operating budget is the primary tool by which most of the City’s financing, acquisitions, spending, and service delivery activities are planned and controlled. The Capital budget is used for expenditures on major projects, including buildings, as well as the renewal or replacement of existing infrastructure. The capital budget is supported by cash from various funds, the issuance of bonds, and occasionally by grants.

What is the current millage rate?
The amount of tax you pay is determined by the tax rate applied to the assessed value of your property. The current property millage rate is 89.6.   If you have questions regarding your property assessment, you should contact the Office of the Richland County Treasurer.

If I have a question and need help finding something in the budget or obtaining more information, whom should I call?
For more information on a specific topic, please contact the Budget Office at (803) 545-4271.

 

Budget and Grants Office – 1136 Washington Street, Columbia, SC 29201