City of Columbia, Missouri  
Meeting Minutes  
City Council  
City Hall  
Monday, May 11, 2026  
6:00 PM  
Work Session  
Council Chamber  
701 E. Broadway  
Columbia, MO  
I. CALL TO ORDER  
Mayor Buffaloe called the meeting to order at approximately 6:00 p.m.  
7 - Buffaloe, Foster, Peters, Carroll, Sample, Elwood, and Hartman  
Present:  
This item is open to the public: Revenue Forecast  
Attachments: Presentation  
Mayor Buffaloe introduced Matthew Lue, Finance Director, and Jim McDonald, Assistant  
Finance Director. Deep Debnath, Economist, reviewed the year over year changes in  
sales and use tax. He explained the slide, noting that after the pandemic revenue began  
to flatten.  
Matthew provided some historical data on general fund revenue. Council member  
Christina Hartman asked for clarification on the year-over-year changes. Matthew clarified  
that the chart shows changes in percentage. Jim noted that the chart also highlights the  
volatile nature of sales tax. Council member Valerie Carroll added that this slide may be  
beneficial near the annual revenue growth to help contextualize the information.  
Carroll asked for information on the largest growth in expenditures over the last two years  
- Jim responded that it was primarily the investment in employees. Council member  
Jacque Sample asked about changes in contractual services, with Matthew noting that it  
primarily had to do with increased spending from CARES funding. Council member Betsy  
Peters asked for clarification on what is included in Contractual Services. Jim noted that  
it varied, with things like studies, software, etc. Council member Vera Elwood asked  
about where revenue from CARES could be seen in the revenue history - Jim noted that it  
was primarily in Revenue from Other Govt. Units. Carroll asked about which departments  
saw the most growth from the investment in employees - Jim clarified if it was related to  
FTE growth. Matthew referred to a report on how the general fund has grown. Public  
Safety had the highest growth, followed by Public Health - however, staff noted that piece  
of it may have been impacted by COVID-19 hires. Hartman asked for clarification on  
services/misc. and contractual line items. Matthew provided some examples on items  
that would be included in those two line items.  
Matthew provided information on the general fund cash reserve. He noted that the cash  
reserve target is increasing because it is based on budgeted expenses.  
Matthew shared the estimated revenue projections, as well as projected revenue  
projections from FY 2027 through FY 2031. He also shared expenditure projections for  
the same time period. Jim clarified the ARPA Expenses, noting that those funds are  
currently restricted and would not have an impact on cash target. Mayor Buffaloe asked  
about wage projections, with Jim noting that they project just slightly over the Consumer  
Price Index (CPI). Hartman asked about the decrease in transfers out to other city funds.  
Jim noted changes on where the bond payments were coming from, as well as due to  
funding from the Vehicle Equipment Replacement Fund (VERF). Hartman asked about  
the changes between FY 2028 Projected and FY 2029 Projected. Matthew noted that  
was when expenses outpace revenue.  
Jim provided information on the special revenue funds, beginning with Capital  
Improvement Sales Tax. Peters clarified that capital expenditures for Fire come from this  
fund - Jim confirmed. He discussed the Parks & Recreation cash reserve. Mayor Buffaloe  
asked about recent increases to fees related to parks. Meganne Montesinos, Budget  
Officer, shared information on Parks & Rec. She noted that increases to minimum wage  
had a big impact on parks due to the number of temporary employees. She also noted  
that Parks had been moved from the General Fund in 2023, and a $5 million transfer to  
subsidize Parks & Rec. Jim clarified that the amount of Parks & Recreation fund  
restricted to capital projects was not included in this and it does build a fund balance.  
Carroll asked about seeing those two projects as side-by-side. Matthew noted that it was  
not included in the presentation because the focus was on operating expenses, rather  
than capital. De’Carlon Seewood, City Manager, noted that this also reflects the need to  
evaluate the $5 million transfer from general fund to Parks & Recreation and that an  
increase may be needed.  
Jim provided an overview of the Transportation Sales Tax (TST), which funds transit,  
airport, and streets. Sample asked about differences between the numbers on the  
presentation and what was attached to the agenda. Jim clarified that the updated slides  
would be shared out, but there were slight changes to the sales tax numbers due to April  
numbers becoming available recently. Hartman asked about expenses for sidewalks  
coming from both Transportation Sales Tax and the Public Improvement Fund - Jim  
clarified that the PIF was revenue from development fees to support infrastructure while  
the other was a sales tax. He provided information on the Convention & Tourism Cash  
Reserve. Council member Nick Foster asked about any plans to spend this money down.  
De’Carlon shared some examples on how that funding has been used in the past.  
Jim provided information on the enterprise funds, beginning with Railroad. He noted the  
subsidy Railroad receives from the other Utilities. Erin Keys, Utilities Director, shared  
information on the current expressions of interest request. Carroll asked about why the  
subsidy from the railroad from the other utilities. Keys noted that it had been used to  
bring coal. She highlighted other benefits to the City’s industrial customers. Jim provided  
information on Transload, noting that they had been subsidized by the other utilities, but  
was becoming more solvent.  
Jim reviewed Public Transit. He noted that in three or four years, an additional transfer  
from TST may be needed. Airport receives approximately $2 million in transfers from TST.  
JIm discussed the Sanitary Sewer cash reserve projection. He emphasized the  
importance of the debt service ratio. Foster noted that all the Utilities seemed to have  
debt service ratios that were in good shape. While reviewing Parking, Jim noted that the  
fund was slowly recovering. He discussed the restricted cash account, highlighting the  
purpose was to rectify an issue with parking in East Campus. As this was a Council  
action, funds continue to be restricted. Jim recommended Council action on this.  
Storm water benefited from some ARPA grants. Erin noted that the last storm water  
increase was in 2015, adding that an increase would require a vote of the public. Foster  
asked about spending down the reserve. Erin noted increases for smaller projects, but  
staff capacity was an issue.  
Jim reviewed the Employee Benefit fund, which funds health insurance, etc. He added  
that the reserve target for this fund was higher than the others. He reviewed the Self  
Insurance Fund, noting that it had been high and they had been spent down. Matthew  
added that all other funds pay into Self Insurance, so they did not want to keep a high  
fund balance. Hartman asked about what next steps would be to address future projected  
below target - Jim noted that the data reflect if no changes were made. The Mayor noted  
that it is impossible to guess when there would be a large claim. She asked about how  
the data was used. De'Carlon gave the example of a high number of vehicle claims from a  
certain department that would lead to more training to that department.  
Jim noted that Fleet was not in a great position, adding that their primary revenue was  
based on labor. He discussed potential changes to the labor charge from $100/hr to  
$120/hr. This may help with staffing issues that also lead to more outsourcing. Hartman  
raised the concern of Fleet having enough staff. De'Carlon noted that it was a challenge to  
hire mechanics and changes to the salary and benefits helped the City be able to hire  
and retain people.  
Jim reviewed IT and Utility Customer Service. He noted the UCS should be neutral, with  
revenues matching expenditures. Peters asked for information on the service. JIm noted  
that it was staff responding to customer questions related to the Utilities. The costs for  
this fund is paid by Utilities, with Erin noting that it had moved around a few different  
times.  
Matthew provided information on the VERF. He noted the purpose of this fund is to pay in  
a yearly amount, so that the full cost of the vehicle does not hit in one year. Hartman  
asked about the difference between this and Fleet, with Jim noting that Fleet takes care  
of vehicles and VERF purchases them. Carroll asked about how to grow this so the City  
isn’t playing catch up. Matthew noted that the general fund couldn’t handle the increased  
fees. Carroll asked about how decisions are made on this, with De’Carlon noting that it is  
included in the budget discussion. Hartman asked about where police vehicles come out  
of, and if the goal is for those vehicles to come out of VERF - Matthew confirmed that the  
recent expense came from CIST, but ideally would come from VERF. Meganne added  
that funding was transferred there to purchase vehicles and, if the costs come in lower,  
the funding would stay in the VERF and collect interest.  
Jim provided information on Water, noting that a future rate increase would be needed. He  
showed an example of a 10% rate increase, as well as a projection with Advanced  
Metering Infrastructure (AMI). Erin noted that a cost of service had been done last year,  
noting that a 10% revenue increase was recommended in FY 2027. The Mayor asked  
about the online calculator and Matthew confirmed that it was still online.  
Jim noted that the cost of power was fluctuating and made projecting difficult. Erin shared  
the power purchase has gone up approximately 13%, adding that this is not unique to  
Columbia. She added the 6% increase is the absolute minimum that should be done.  
She added that this is likely the biggest electric boon in the US since World War II. She  
shared recommendations from the Water & Light Advisory Board.  
Solid Waste cash reserve was dipping below target in out years. Finance shared an  
example with an 5% increase. Erin noted that this would be discussed more on Monday,  
and would include customer impacts.  
The Mayor highlighted more budget discussions to come.  
This item is open to the public: Motion for the City Council to go into  
closed session to discuss:  
-Legal actions, causes of action or litigation involving a public  
governmental body and confidential or privileged communications between  
a public governmental body or its representatives and its attorneys  
pursuant to Section 610.021(1) RSMo.  
-Sealed bids and related documents, until the bids are opened; and  
sealed proposals and related documents or any documents related to a  
negotiated contract until a contract is executed, or all proposals are  
rejected pursuant to Section 610.021(12) RSMo.  
All voted in favor.  
At approximately 7:42 p.m., Mayor Buffaloe made a motion for the City Council of  
the City of Columbia, Missouri, to immediately go into a closed meeting in  
Conference Room 1C of City Hall to discuss legal actions, causes of action or  
litigation involving a public governmental body and confidential or privileged  
communications between a public governmental body or its representatives and  
its attorneys pursuant to Section 610.021(1) of the Revised Statutes of Missouri,  
and sealed proposals and related documents or any documents related to a  
negotiated contract until a contract is executed, or all proposals are rejected  
pursuant to Section 610.021(12) of the Revised Statutes of Missouri. The motion  
was seconded by Council Member Foster.  
This item is closed to the public: Closed Meeting in Conference Room  
1C.  
At approximately 7:46 p.m., the City Council went into closed session in Conference  
Room 1C pursuant to RSMo Sections 610.021(1) and (12).  
II. ANY OTHER ITEMS COUNCIL MAY WISH TO DISCUSS  
N/A  
III. ADJOURNMENT  
The closed meeting adjourned at approximately 8:24 p.m.