At this time, Columbia County is no longer moving forward consolidation and incorporation.
The announcement came during the Columbia County Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 17. In a statement, Chairman Doug Duncan said that while the topic has been widely discussed in the news and on social media, the commissioners had not decided about whether to pursue incorporation and consolidation.
“As commissioners it is important for us to understand the facts, provide transparency of those facts to the public and receive public input on both sides of the issue,” Duncan said. “Ultimately, the public would have to vote to approve this initiative. I can assure you that such an important matter of incorporation and consolidation will never move forward without those following steps. Incorporation and consolidation is a very complex issue. To date, the only efforts the county has made to investigate this the funding of a feasibility study, which is required by law before the next step could be taken.”
Duncan added that while some in the county feel a decision on the topic has already been made, that is not true. He said there are pros and cons to incorporation and consolidation, but it’s a complex topic that needs to be carefully investigated, which takes time.
“I’m announcing tonight that this commission is not moving forward with incorporation and consolidation at this time,” Duncan said. “I have been assured that our local delegation will not move forward with any legislation concerning this matter without following the pr0cess above and a vote by the county commission.”
MORE: Columbia County is only considering consolidation, for now
