The Columbia County Board of Commissioners voted to approve the county budget for fiscal year 2024-2025 during its meeting, Tuesday evening.
County Manager Scott Johnson told commissioners that the county administration would be recommending lowering the millage rate, as revenue would be coming in slightly above the projected 5%.
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The county balanced the budget, which is at more than $100 million, using a zero-based budgeting method, entails a new salary matrix, with some 12 new positions with the county and pay increases in the fire department.
“I still think Columbia County is extremely conservative when it comes to the way we approach budgets and the way we approach paying our employees,” Johnson said. “But we certainly want to make sure that we’re fair and equitable across line.”
Johnson also noted that the county still has some $14 million in American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) funding, monies which have already been allocated, and must be spent by the end of 2026. Approximately $17 million in ARPA monies have already gone toward the Euchee Creek Sewer Interceptor project.
The commissioners would go on to approve a variance request favoring the upcoming car wash on South Belair Road, rezoning for which the BOC approved. Further details will be available in Thursday’s edition.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
