(COLUMBIA, MO) ~ The City of Columbia is taking steps to involve its residents in the budget process by hosting a series of townhall meetings. These interactive events aim to educate and engage community members in the decision-making process for the city's budget.

The upcoming townhall, which will be the second in the series, will focus on budget priorities. City staff will provide an overview of how decisions are made and discuss key funding priorities for the city's budget. The townhall will be held on February 25 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and on February 26 from 6-8 p.m. at Conference Rooms 1A/1B of City Hall.

Finance Director Matthew Lue emphasized the importance of involving residents in the budgeting process, stating, "We believe it's essential to involve our residents in the budgeting process and help them better understand how we plan and allocate our resources." He also expressed hope that these townhalls will empower residents to participate more actively in shaping the city's financial decisions and priorities.

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In addition to presentations from city staff, the townhalls will also feature question and answer sessions and interactive educational games. These activities are designed to make the budget process more accessible and engaging for attendees, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of local government budgeting while also providing an enjoyable experience.

All Columbia residents are invited to attend these townhalls, with registration available at https://forms.gle/hd3WBhecGGRVpuKa7. Light refreshments will be provided during each session.

The schedule for upcoming townhalls is as follows:

- Townhall 1: Budget overview

January 9: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

January 16: 6-8 p.m.

- Townhall 2: Budget priorities

February 25: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

February 26: 6-8 p.m.

- Townhall 3: Capital improvement projects

April 14: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., 6-8 p.m.

For more information on the townhalls and the City's budget process, residents can visit CoMo.gov/finance/accounting/financial-reports/. The City of Columbia encourages all residents to participate in these townhalls and be a part of shaping the city's financial future.

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