The first formal reading of the Columbus city budget is in the books. Jamie Brinegar, the city’s director of finance, says that public safety is very important to this administration…

Brinegar says that of the approximately $57.8 million budget proposed for 2018, $25 million is set aside for public safety. Changes over 2017 include a two-percent cost-of-living increase for city employees and elected officials and new positions designed to help local government operate more efficiently. Those new positions include a senior planner, engineering technician, payroll specialist for the clerk-treasurer’s office and adjustments for city police and fire departments in the hopes of filling empty positions quicker.

Brinegar notes that 2018’s proposed budget is actually 1.9 percent lower than 2017’s actual budget. That includes a proposed tax rate of 1.392 percent, an increase over 2017’s proposed rate of 1.3574 percent. However, Brinegar stresses that these proposed rates are almost always revised downward when the certified rates are established by the state, usually around February. For example, he explains that 2017’s certified tax rate was 1.1316 percent. That was a slight decrease from 2016’s certified rate. Brinegar has been consistent in stating that the administration’s goal has been to hold the line on tax rates as mush as possible.

The council voted 6 to 1 to approve the ordinance on first reading. Frank Miller was the lone “no” vote. The body is scheduled to hold it’s second, and final, vote on Oct. 17th.