The City of West Columbia has initially approved a $16 million budget for the coming year.

“This has been a long process the city has gone through,” said City Administrator Brian Carter.

A general fund budget of $16,126,000 was approved along with a water-sewer budget of $17,150,000.

Carter said department directors began submitting budget proposals months ago, and the city held workshops to consider funding requests.

If final approval is given June 18, the budget would fund three additional firefighters for the city. The new firefighters would also be trained as paramedics.

The budget also includes money for a new rescue vehicle. Currently, the West Columbia Fire Department responds to accident calls with ladder trucks that incur high maintenance and repair costs.

A smaller rescue vehicle will reduce costs, Carter said.

The budget also includes funding for the West Columbia Police Department’s recruitment and retention program.

The budget contains a millage increase of 3.5 mills.

That amounts to a property tax increase of about $14.07 a year on a home valued at $100,000, said Carter.

Some of the other specifics of the budget include a 3% merit increase for some city employees and 1% increase in state retirement plan costs as mandated by the S.C. Legislature.

There is also an 8% increase in insurance costs.