Your Annual Charge, At Work
July means a lot of things in Columbia – July 4th festivities at the CA Lakefront, extensive summer programming for all ages, and the long-awaited Columbia Neighborhood Swim League (CNSL) All-City Meet, to name a few.
It’s also the time when residents of CA-assessed properties receive their annual charge mailing and a link to our Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Annual Report. You may be wondering: What does my annual charge make possible?
The answer can be found throughout Columbia.
Every time you take a walk or bike on one of Columbia’s pathways, gather with friends at Lakefront Live, watch your child explore a play area or simply enjoy the open space that make Columbia unique, you’re experiencing your annual charge at work.
These shared spaces and experiences are possible because our community continues to invest in what makes Columbia special. Every dollar that comes to CA goes right back into the betterment of this community, and we’re proud to be stewards of that investment.
Our Annual Report highlights how we’re putting those dollars to work – from improvements at the Lakefront (like the new stage we’re enjoying this summer) to new efforts to better care for Columbia’s open space. These investments enhance the experiences you enjoy today while preparing Columbia for the future.
While the Annual Report reflects on the past year, much of our work has been focused on the future.
As we developed the FY 2027 budget, our focus was simple: Making smart investments in the things that matter most, from maintaining our infrastructure to enhancing the programs and services our community enjoys. We’re also proud that the annual charge rate and cap have remained unchanged for more than 20 years, reflecting our commitment to delivering long-term value.
As Columbia prepares to celebrate its 60th anniversary next year, we’re honoring the vision that built this community while investing in what’s ahead.
I encourage you to take a few minutes to explore this year’s Annual Report and see how your investment is making a difference. Then, get out and enjoy it. Come out to a concert, discover a new pathway or join us at a community event. These are the experiences that make Columbia exceptional, and they’re made possible because we continue investing in them together.
Thank you for being part of our community.
-Shawn MacInnes, President/CEO, Columbia Association