At the halfway mark in Columbia’s fiscal year (Dec. 31), spending stood at 51% of the annual budgeted total, and revenues were at 45% of the amount anticipated for the year.

One surprise expenditure was the flood insurance premium. The aldermen budgeted $3,900 for the year, but the insurer charged $4,786, which is 22% over budget.

Another over-expenditure was for mosquito control operations last summer and fall. The amount budgeted for the year was $3,600, but total costs were $7,135, just two percent below double the original estimate.

Total General Fund expenditures at Dec. 31 were $407,310, which is 51% of the $792,078 the board of aldermen budgeted to operate the town from July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2020.

On the revenue side, aldermen anticipated receiving $4,500 in building permit fees during the fiscal year, but the income from July through December was $8,267, mainly coming from the Dollar General store permit. (The new store could open as early as March.)

2019 property tax collections amounted to $197,080 at Dec. 31. The town expected to collect $261,142 total by June 30.

The utility tax collected was $38,992 at Dec. 31, 157% of the $24,769 anticipated for the entire fiscal year.

Investment earnings produced $8,704 from July through December. The aldermen expected to receive $9,000 for the whole year.

And sales and use tax revenue was $59,564 at Dec. 31, 78% of the $75,940 expected for the fiscal year.

Overall, General Fund revenues stood at $360,356 at Dec. 31, which is 45% of the $792,078 anticipated for the fiscal year.