Columbia Approves $84 Million Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27

Issue #751

June 16, 2026

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🌤 Columbia’s Wednesday Weather - Partly cloudy w/ high of 89, low of 74

📰 Columbia Approves $84 Million Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27

📰 Jai Lipscomb Enters Race for Columbia Mayor

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Columbia Approves $84 Million Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27

On Thursday, June 11, 2026, the Columbia City Council approved the City’s fiscal year 2026–2027 budget on final consideration. The adopted budget totals $84,446,601 across all funds and was approved without a property tax increase, while continuing to support and enhance essential City services.

The FY 2026–2027 budget reflects strategic, plan-driven investments across City departments, with a continued emphasis on supporting City employees. The budget includes a 4% salary increase for all personnel, helping strengthen the City’s ability to recruit and retain a talented workforce.

Mayor Chaz Molder stated, “The adoption of this budget represents a significant step forward for our city and reflects the continued growth and progress of our community. It demonstrates our commitment to responsible financial planning, strategic infrastructure investments, and delivering high-quality services to our residents. I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the dedicated staff whose expertise and hard work make this process possible each year. Their efforts have produced a budget that addresses both current priorities and future opportunities. The investments outlined in this plan will support important improvements throughout the city, and I’m excited to see these projects take shape.”

The General Fund accounts for 61% of the total budget, with $51,444,978 allocated to the City’s primary operating fund. The FY 2027 General Fund budget includes a $1.5 million (3.3%) revenue increase driven by continued economic growth. The General Fund supports many of Columbia’s core services, including public works, parks, fire, police, and administration.

City Manager Tony Massey remarked, “This budget reflects a strong commitment to responsible financial management, operational excellence, and delivering the high-quality services our residents expect and deserve.”

The adopted budget also advances several major capital projects and initiatives. Nearly $92.7 million is allocated for the City’s FY 2027–2031 Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The five-year CIP includes major multi-year projects such as the City’s annual contribution to the TDOT partnership project to widen Bear Creek, improvements at the Nashville Highway and Bear Creek Pike intersection, the Iron Bridge replacement project, technology and capital equipment replacements, wastewater treatment plant construction, pump station upgrades, and street resurfacing. FY 2027 CIP funding, as proposed, totals approximately $49.2 million with 23.3% of funds programmed in the Capital Projects Fund and 53.6% programmed in the Wastewater (Sewer) Fund.

Assistant City Manager and CFO Thad Jablonski noted, “The adopted budget balances fiscal responsibility with meaningful investment in the community. With no changes to tax rates or fees, it maintains the City’s strong financial footing while advancing infrastructure improvements that support residents, businesses, and the services they rely on.”

Jai Lipscomb Enters Race for Columbia Mayor

Photo: Jai Lipscomb for Columbia Mayor

Jai Lipscomb announced her campaign for Mayor of Columbia on June 4th.

From Jai Lipscomb’s post on June 7th…

I’m running for Mayor because I love Columbia.

This city has given so much to me and my family. It is where I’ve built relationships, raised my children, served my neighbors, and dedicated myself to helping others. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside community organizations, local leaders, businesses, and residents from every walk of life. Through those experiences, I’ve seen both the incredible strengths of our city and the challenges many families face every day.

I’m not running because I’m a politician. I’m running because I’m a citizen who cares deeply about the future of Columbia.

As a mother, business owner, Realtor, and nonprofit founder, I understand the importance of safe neighborhoods, strong local businesses, affordable opportunities, and a government that listens to its people. I’ve spent years helping individuals overcome obstacles, connecting people with resources, and bringing our community together around common goals.

Columbia is growing, and with that growth comes both opportunity and responsibility. We need leadership that is focused on the people who call this city home. Leadership that is transparent, accessible, and willing to listen. Leadership that can bring people together to solve problems and plan for the future.

I believe our best days are ahead of us. Together, we can build a Columbia that remains welcoming, prosperous, and full of opportunity while preserving the values that make our community special.

I’m running because I believe in Columbia, I believe in its people, and I’m ready to serve.

Learn more about Lipscomb’s campaign on her Facebook page here. Main Street Maury also interviewed her here.

Read our article about Eric Previti’s announcement to run for Mayor here.

Upcoming Local Events

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Wednesday, June 17th

Thursday, June 18th

Friday, June 19th - Juneteenth

Saturday, June 20th

Sunday, June 21st - Father’s Day

Discount Code: Deeper

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🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Tuesday, June 16
Songwriters Round - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 6–9 PM

Wednesday, June 17
Vintage Voltage - Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8–11 PM

Thursday, June 18
Todd Ciprian - Tito’s, 6–9 PM

Friday, June 19
TBA - The Spot: Burgers & Beer, 5–8 PM
Ryan Keeler - Buck & Board, 6–8 PM
Tom Saffell & Robert Johnson - McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7–9 PM
Radio Farm - Puckett’s, 7:30–9 PM
Jason Minton Band - The Boondox, 8 PM
Zone Status - Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8–11 PM

Saturday, June 20
The Vineyard Sessions - Natchez Hills Vineyard, 12–6 PM
Phillips Music - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 3–7 PM
Sins Country - Hampshire Hills Distillery, 5–9 PM
Courtyard Jazz, Blues & Cigars - The Mulehouse, 6 PM
TBA - River Terrace, 6–8 PM
Jim Brown & Friends - Mt. Pleasant Music on the Porch, 205 S. Main St, 6–9 PM
Speed Trap - Twisted Copper, 7–9 PM
Sweet Niece - McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7–9 PM
Parker & Sonny - Puckett’s, 7:30–9 PM
Gritz & Glory - The Boondox, 8 PM
Pretty Grimm - Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8–11 PM

Sunday, June 21
The Cliftones - Amber Falls Winery, 1–5 PM
Brothers Revolt, The Rebel Bar & Grill, 3 PM
CJ Conklin, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 2–5 PM

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