COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia Police Department is getting $1 million in the newly signed state budget to use specifically on downtown public safety.

When exactly the money hits the city's account depends on Gov. Mike Kehoe releasing the funds, according to State Sen. Stephen Webber.

Webber said a conversation with Columbia Police Chief Jill Schlude and his local roots prompted his push to secure the funding during this legislative session.

"I went to the Senate Appropriation Chair Rusty Black and I asked Rusty if he put $1 million in the budget specifically for the Columbia Police Department specifically to be spent on public safety in downtown," Webber said. "I'm concerned about crime and I want it to be a thriving area."

ABC 17 News reached out to Schlude to discuss the funds and she deferred us to Webber.

Webber said what the money is used for may be influenced by August elections, as a 1% Public Safety Sales Tax is up for a vote. The tax is projected to generate an additional $38 million in funding for police and fire.

However, Webber said the $1 million dollars in funds coming to police should not influence voters' decisions.

"It's significantly more money, that's for ongoing expenses," Webber said. "This is just an extra thing I could do as a state senator, from the state level, to bring some more resources to our community and try to do my piece of the puzzle, but it's certainly not the entire puzzle."

City leaders also gathered Monday to discuss the 2027 fiscal year budget proposal that includes nearly $2 million in funding cuts for police. On her way into the meeting Ward 1 councilwoman Valerie Carroll told ABC 17 News that city council was aware of the incoming funds, but discussions around what the money will be used for are still ongoing and nothing has been voted on yet.

Along with funding resources for downtown safety, Webb also filed legislation related to restricting juvenile gun access. That legislation did not make it through to Kehoe's desk, but Webber said he plans to refile.

"I think people don't believe that it's the policy in Missouri right now that a 15-year-old can can drive around in backseat of a car with a handgun at two in the morning and nobody can do anything," Webber said.