Commission passes budget

Columbia County commissioners approved a 2007-08 fiscal year budget Tuesday night they say makes a rollback in the county's tax rate possible for the first time since 1990.

But the savings to many taxpayers could be tempered by a recent increase in property reassessments.

"We hope we can offset that (property reassessments) a little bit," said county Commission Chairman Ron Cross, referring to the goal of a rollback.

The $52.9 million operating budget makes adjustments for a potential rollback of about $1 million, or 0.29 mills out of the county's overall 9.38 millage. For the average $100,000 home, that's a savings of about $12 a year.

Ultimately, the proposed rollback will have to be approved after hearings scheduled for 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. July 10 and 5:30 p.m. July 17, at the Evans Government Center auditorium.

County commissioners say a rollback is a gesture that reflects the results of more sales tax dollars being collected.

"I think it's a tribute to the citizens," Mr. Cross said about how more people are shopping in the county and creating added sales tax dollars for the county's coffers.

Even with a rollback, the budget approved Tuesday night includes a 9.63 percent, or $4.6 million, increase in funding compared with the previous fiscal year. Many county departments will receive more funding, from $2.6 million last fiscal year to $3.2 million this year - with one of the largest increases going to the information technology department.

That added money partly will go to a new computer infrastructure that could make it easier for residents to pay for county services online.

The sheriff's office received a 2.5 percent increase to $12 million, and the detention center's budgeted expenditures are 5.2 percent higher than a year ago at $7 million.

Reach Preston Sparks at (706) 868-1222, ext. 115 or preston.sparks@augustachronicle.com.