Columbia County commissioners tackled several issues at their Tuesday night meeting, including the adoption of a budget that doesn't require a millage increase on property taxes.
THE BUDGET
Commissioners agreed to a $56.7 million budget based on an 8 percent growth in the county's tax digest.
Though the budget represents an almost 5 percent increase above the current fiscal year, it did not require a millage increase. Instead, extra funding will come from charges for county services and property reassessments.
DEVELOPMENT CHANGES
A decision on changing the plans for The Village at Furys Ferry was tabled by commissioners.
Blanchard and Calhoun Commercial, developers for the project located between Blackstone Camp and Evans to Locks roads, asked the board to table the motion and let them take it back to the county's planning commission June 19 with unspecified changes.
Developers wanted to downsize it from 14 acres to about 12 acres. However, the owner of the two acres meant to be omitted from the project, Jimmie Powell, objected to a plan to revert the zoning of his property back to residential. On Tuesday, the commission upheld his objection.
STATE PATROL
Commissioners finalized an agreement with the Georgia State Patrol to build the law enforcement agency a new post near Grovetown.
The board voted in February to spend as much as $2 million for the new post on Chamblin Road. In addition to supporting troopers, the post will act as the communications center for the state patrol in this part of Georgia.
RIGHTS OF WAY
Commissioners approved a policy allowing some property owners the right to maintain rights of way abutting their land.
Anyone wishing to do so will need to apply for a permit through the county's Roads and Bridges department.
-- Donnie Fetter, Columbia County Bureau Chief
