Columbia’s city employees will receive pay raises in new fiscal year that begins in October

Columbia’s approximately 1,500 city employees will receive pay raises under the $533-million budget approved unanimously last night by the city council.

The budget approved by the council includes $10-million in pay raises for city employees. The pay raises and compensation have been a top priority for city manager De’Carlon Seewood, who says increased pay is critical for city staff morale.

The budget includes pay ranges that are about six percent above market and across-the-board increases of two percent for eligible permanent employees, not to exceed the maximum of the new pay ranges.

Mr. Seewood proposed the budget in mid-July. The council held three public hearings on the budget in August and September, before last night’s vote at city hall. The budget also increases the Columbia Water Utility’s budget by $1.1 million.