City government · Boone County, MO
Columbia's money: where it comes from and where it goes
In the latest recorded fiscal year (ended September 30, 2023), Columbia took in $409 million and spent $366 million.
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Where it comes from
What stands out
of Columbia's money comes from fees for services such as water, sewer and parking.A typical U.S. city of 50,000+ people gets 30%.
City taxes23%
What's in other taxesPublic utility taxes; other selective sales taxes and 4 more
- Public utility taxes$7.3 million
- Other selective sales taxes$5.9 million
- Occupation and business licenses$1.4 million
- Other licenses$1.1 million
- Tobacco taxes$345 thousand
- Alcoholic beverage licenses$179 thousand
Amounts are by Census tax category.
Fees for services60%
What's in fees for servicesElectric power; water and 7 more
- Electric power$143 million
- Water$31.0 million
- Garbage collection$27.0 million
- Sewer$25.1 million
- Other service charges$7.0 million
- Parks and recreation$5.0 million
- Parking$3.8 million
- Airport$1.4 million
- Transit fares$1.0 million
Amounts are by Census type of charge.
Federal tax money3.5%
Grants from Washington, paid for by the federal taxes residents also pay.
State tax money2.0%
Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.
County and local tax money5.2%
Money passed on by the county or other local governments.
Fines and other6.4%
Where it goes
What stands out
of Columbia's spending goes to water, sewer, trash and other utilities.A typical U.S. city of 50,000+ people spends 20%.
Spending by category100%
What's in water, sewer, trash and utilitiesElectric power; garbage and solid waste and 2 more
- Electric power$129 million
- Garbage and solid waste$24.0 million
- Water supply$23.7 million
- Sewer systems$13.6 million
What's in running the government and other costsOther and not broken out; central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology) and 2 more
- Other and not broken out$46.3 million
- Central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology)$8.2 million
- Finance, tax collection and budgeting$5.1 million
- Government buildings$1.3 million
What's in police, fire, courts and jailsFire protection; police and 1 more
- Fire protection$25.1 million
- Police$22.4 million
- Courts and legal services$2.4 million
What's in roads, transit and parkingRoads and highways; airports and 2 more
- Roads and highways$13.9 million
- Airports$7.6 million
- Public transit$7.3 million
- Parking$1.7 million
What's in parks, recreation and librariesParks and recreation
- Parks and recreation$17.4 million
What's in health and hospitalsPublic health
- Public health$7.9 million
What's in interest on debtInterest on electric power debt; interest on general debt and 1 more
- Interest on electric power debt$3.3 million
- Interest on general debt$2.4 million
- Interest on water supply debt$1.5 million
What's in social servicesOther public welfare
- Other public welfare$1.2 million
Sources and moreWhere these numbers come from and what they cover
City of Columbia. U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit file, fiscal year ended September 30, 2023.
What this covers. The money of City of Columbia itself. Other governments that serve the same area (the city, county, school district and state) are separate and not included. Borrowing, transfers between a government's own funds, and pension trust funds are not counted as revenue.