AI-assisted summary

Columbia city leadership held a public forum to discuss the recently adopted fiscal year 2026 budget.

Personnel services, including employee compensation and benefits, represent the most significant and ongoing impact on the budget.

The city is using reserve funds to cover a budget deficit caused by flattening revenue and rising expenses.

The community had questions and city leadership had some answers this week in the monthly Let's Talk Local public forums.

A focus of the Oct. 15 meeting held at the McMurry Chapel of Missouri United Methodist Church was on the city's recently adopted fiscal year 2026 budget . Columbia Finance Director Matthew Lue and Deputy Director Jim McDonald were on hand to answer resident questions. Mayor Barbara Buffaloe, Police Chief Jill

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