The Columbia County Board of Commissioners approved the rezoning for a dog training facility on Appling Harlem Road during the meeting on Tuesday, May 7.
Rev. Johnny Few with First Mount Moriah Baptist Church, which is located next to where the dog training facility will be, spoke out against the rezoning, citing concerns about barking noises from the dogs.
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“We ask that you would not permit them to put this dog training facility next to the church,” Few said. “It’s a religious organization. It’s been there for hundreds of years…We are a church; we expect certain things. We were there first, we (owned) the property church. We would like for you to look at it being your church, your place of worship and the first thing they heard when they got out of their car was dogs, smelled the scent of all the dogs.”
District 4 Commissioner Alison Couch asked how close the dog training facility was to the church, with Deputy County Manager Matt Schlachter stating that from the center of the church to the property line was about 750 feet through trees.
Commissioners ultimately approved the rezoning of 1892 Appling Harlem Road.
During the meeting, commissioners also approved and read a proclamation declaring May 18-24 National Safe Boating Week.
Prior to the regular meeting, a budget hearing was held for fiscal year 2025. The county is proposing a balanced budget and is looking at reducing the millage rate.
At the budget hearing on Tuesday, May 7, County Manager Scott Johnson said the after factoring in requests from elected officials and department heads, including vehicle allowances, cell phone allowances, addition of positions and more, the county is proposing a budget of just over $100 million.
“We’re actually balancing this budget with a 5% increase in the digest,” Johnson said. “I’m thinking it’ll be a little more than that, but we want to make sure we stay conservative here.”
Johnson added that the county is looking at adjusting its salary matrix to help with recruitment and retention.
As for the tax digest, Johnson said he believes it will come in a little over 5% and at the direction of the Board of Commissioners, the county is looking at a millage rate reduction.
“This will be … eight out of the last nine (years) I believe,” Johnson said. “I believe during COVID we left it stagnant for one year. We are looking at doing a slight millage rate reduction, if possible, but that will come at a later meeting. But I do want you to know we have balanced this budget with a millage rate reduction in mind. We’re not counting on that money, we’re actually looking at giving that money back to the taxpayers.”
A vote on the fiscal year 2025 budget will take place at the June 18 Board of Commissioners meeting.
Stephanie Hill is the managing editor and covers Columbia County government for The Augusta Press. Reach her at stephanie@theaugustapress.com.
