West Columbia City Council approved first reading of a $17 million general fund budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. Council also approved a $19 million water-sewer budget.

Tuesday’s meeting was also the first in-person meeting since the first week in March. The meetings had been virtual because of the coronavirus crisis.

“It’s good to see everyone again,” said Mayor Tem Miles.

A West Columbia Police officer took temperatures of those entering the meeting, and chairs, and council members, were spaced in accordance with the practice of social distancing.

The new budget is $660,000 more than last year’s budget, but it does not include a tax increase, said City Administrator Brian Carter, who presented the budget to council.

The budget allows for a 1.5% cost-of-living pay increase of city employees. There are also some low-percentage, merit-based salary increase for some employees.

The city is considering adding a building official to keep up with the growth of the city.

The meeting was streamed live on Youtube. It was the first time the West Columbia City Council meeting has been streamed live.