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COLUMBIA, SC -- City council is voting on the budget for next fiscal year. It's a plan that includes tough choices about services and personnel.

On Tuesday night, we told you about two city employees, including Columbia Action Council director Judy Stringer, joining the unemployed.

Wednesday morning, council members held a public hearing on the $106 million budget.

That figure is up roughly one and a half percent from last year.

The budget doesn't raise taxes, but it does cut certain public services and puts about at least 12 employees out of work.

The hearing allowed residents to voice their opinions about the plan, but only one man stood up, and he had some strong words for city leaders as they prepare to vote.

"If they spent $1.5 million in accounting, why? If they spent $6 million for risk management, I want to know what they are."

Fireworks from long-time Eau Claire resident Bill Manley, who has been around Columbia for more than 60 years, and he's tired of the city not giving him answers. It's the vagueness and lack of communication that fires him up.

"Why so much? That's not payroll. That's not services. That's not supply. That's other types of services. You better start looking at it."

Council members don't respond to Manley's comments, instead saying the layoffs are decisions they wish they didn't have to make.

Councilman E.W. Cromartie says, "The City of Columbia has never, in the history of the City of Columbia, involuntarily let go of anybody who meets the goals and objectives."

Mayor Bob Coble says it was the best option out of the choices they had, but when asked about Manley's comments, he says, "Bill's a great guy. He's been to more city council meetings than I have. He's been at every budget meeting."

Manley says the city needs to give more than just facts and figures.

"I feel like until we get down into those answers, then I'm not going to be satisfied", and right now, he's not.

Council unanimously passed first reading on the budget.

A final vote is next Wednesday.

You can reveiw the budget yourself by seeing the links below.

Do you think Columbia has the right financial priorities?

You can vote on our home page.