[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6249070,"mediaKeyId","3207906-126801cf3354f8b9f06d8f0e70ddabe9","parentId",3207906,"title","Commissioners approve rezoning for new Augusta Christian elementary school with traffic condition","audioSeconds",208,"startMs",2892000,"endMs",3100000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3207906-126801cf3354f8b9f06d8f0e70ddabe9&start=2892&end=3100","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3207906-126801cf3354f8b9f06d8f0e70ddabe9/thumbnail_2892000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6249070/Columbia-County/Georgia/Commissioners-approve-rezoning-for-new-Augusta-Christian-elementary-school-with-traffic-condition","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6249070-e8bfffd27a0a1d66d46d60cc1d44210e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770425472&Signature=nn~CxAc8~y6Ozzz-Q29l-J-IpKqWr2kTu4I-cbaCQOE~xEpCpcZD0EOC3qGW1DWnniMQ4VOvWS6D7kBV4sBF0aKvVpuldOM48vzaJRyNh7pHW~cq03Iwjkm9oAONRjr2BjwDnEDz2I9gevrHCu9qZNznQzM1BP~TPV~yyVJGvwtV4IRrXc4uLZjLvJ35AeHIBzWAR6VE1vHSILrHCLyo4T2lJYXJblCm4Mn2xyJ7~tXJ6g4RAfDGne8MACOhr2YZn660rYISfbhphrXlgtvtJkTiJLZWddShVSKuphOevGG0JdIkn7bMXcbO4vuFpQFI-yyovTJk5pgkXyqpnBfFeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-07T08:15:57.413Z","article","The Columbia County Board of Commissioners approved a rezoning May 6 to allow Augusta Christian to build a new private elementary school on Baston Road, subject to conditions from the April 17 Planning Commission report and an added traffic control condition imposed by the board.

The motion approved rezoning the property (Tax Map 082B Parcel 006) from S‑1 and R‑3 to S‑1 for the proposed private elementary school. Planning staff described the proposed building as a two‑story facility of roughly 42,000 to 60,000 square feet, and said their principal concern was traffic: staff did not want Baston Road to “become a parking lot” or have students crossing the road unsafely between campuses.

The board added a condition — read aloud by staff and incorporated into the approval — requiring the applicant to provide a traffic control plan that prevents school‑related traffic from stopping and queuing on Baston Road “to the furthest extent possible.” The condition also requires a pedestrian crossing plan to safely serve students walking or biking between the existing campus and the new Baston Road facility, and states the approved traffic control plan must be implemented before the Baston Road elementary school opens. Planning staff said much of the plan can be implemented on the applicant’s existing campus and that the county engineer will have authority to modify the plan to ensure it functions.

Staff noted fire code and emergency vehicle access could require minor adjustments to the site plan, including potential building shifts, and said a 30‑foot buffer adjacent to residential properties is part of current conditions; some limited buffer encroachment may be permitted to accommodate playgrounds or fire access, subject to approval.

The applicant and staff reported no known neighborhood opposition to the rezoning; commissioners amended the motion on the floor to add the traffic control plan condition, and the amended motion carried.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Columbia County | Board of Commissioners Meeting (May 6th)","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved rezoning a parcel to allow Augusta Christian to build a new elementary school on Baston Road, and added a condition requiring a traffic control plan to prevent queuing on Baston Road and to include a pedestrian crossing plan before the new school opens.","taxTitle","Columbia County, Georgia","taxId",12804,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6249076,"Columbia County adopts resolution opposing Harlem's planned annexation of 736.3 acres",323,4067000,4390000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3207906-126801cf3354f8b9f06d8f0e70ddabe9&start=4067&end=4390","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3207906-126801cf3354f8b9f06d8f0e70ddabe9/thumbnail_4067000.jpg","/articles/6249076/Columbia-County/Georgia/Columbia-County-adopts-resolution-opposing-Harlems-planned-annexation-of-7363-acres","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6249076-2990450f53a6301d1fbe1452c4382a9e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770425472&Signature=HKfmHetvFod2Futotu60qmOnETMoW~xL9eghjxTXe6gfT4TeM6Lzg5MW7tkEuwGtjT-JyipEd2BetPqqVyJYf4m8rYUYAcpxswzmzBEqnKI4dXbTeKy8nDawUlRptasUwL6TwaWPCe~-pEWlqvxUk0TAs~BHY8fBmtGr4CBdjMRnVYz6sZ7bRnIHAheZZofzSGDriZuqsswvd5SHCmhkBXYfot3LSSwmgTJdezhvAyStUckF4tuywexmsOEWZ9svyRAaCdZyO5n4w9YskszV9tUkLzrSTJ~hqf4LfAn41YN1CmHSsnTmiPrFkgeDY-2vLjIZrETVLjaVzkEiV9Cmqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Columbia County Board of Commissioners voted May 6 to adopt a resolution formally opposing the proposed annexation by the city of Harlem of a 736.3‑acre parcel identified as Tax Parcel ID 020012.

Commissioner Valier moved to approve Resolution No. 2,515, which the board read into the record. The resolution states the parcel is currently zoned RA in Columbia County and that annexation into Harlem could result in a zoning classification that would permit roughly five times the current County density on the same acreage, which the county said could place an “undue burden on the Columbia County school system” and on county infrastructure such as roads.

The resolution identifies the property owner as Log Creek LLLP and says, in part, that to the board's understanding the owner has not contacted Columbia County to discuss potential development. The text asks Harlem to “abandon this pursuit for the best interest of the citizens of Columbia County.” County speakers noted the board cannot take a legal position to block annexation but can formally register its opposition to the proposed action.

The resolution passed on a majority vote. Staff and commissioners emphasized concerns about increased maintenance and expansion costs for county roads that serve the area, unanticipated infrastructure demands, and potential impacts to schools if the property were developed at a higher density after annexation.

The county said the resolution will be transmitted to the city of Harlem as an expression of the board’s objection and to flag county concerns before any further annexation proceedings.","The Board of Commissioners approved a resolution urging the city of Harlem not to annex a 736.3‑acre parcel (Tax Parcel ID 020012), citing concerns about increased density, infrastructure and school impacts; the property owner is listed as Log Creek LLLP.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6249081,"Commissioners approve Columbia County move to single‑county library region; public speakers urge caution",260,4405000,4665000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3207906-126801cf3354f8b9f06d8f0e70ddabe9&start=4405&end=4665","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3207906-126801cf3354f8b9f06d8f0e70ddabe9/thumbnail_4405000.jpg","/articles/6249081/Columbia-County/Georgia/Commissioners-approve-Columbia-County-move-to-singlecounty-library-region-public-speakers-urge-caution","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6249081-bfd77a0f732d456a2a923b39b9011085/orig.mp4?Expires=1770425472&Signature=LqerN1pcU3L6xoEiVCks1toGwQhtb0v0kIDCvpEpNcqXIum3oIoLdMzxegP~hIaJ37p8RuhqmPV85hIBLQ35HJBGb7lCbUgzctLd2gKXRAXuU3PvydOMu84iKaHj7Qt3dps1ySidu9tlDdx1GUk~K67vQ7oN~QeJmXeA0GCIrvux7XAn8Q4fmKK~OLSQ8LniqDEILQTYFQrdVhjy0LQZEqQUBU1Ecxw-r-4GEluaQG6JEM90GKb2D24ViuP-ND99VlwXLW2ZC0ps-zZn3h4NbrE5fgFv8vmUw4cqUGt9mdi~4TRI3rTvzl7d8eDVx11dJDQ5Df~T9xS5nLKvV0BoLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Columbia County commissioners voted May 6 to seek withdrawal from the Greater Clarks Hill Library region and to become a single‑county region in the Georgia state library system, with the change to take effect Jan. 1, 2026, if the state approves the application.

County staff told the board the state recommended Columbia County as a candidate to be a single‑county region and preliminary state approval was in place for a Jan. 1, 2026, transition; staff said operationally the move would be largely transparent to users and that the county would continue to receive state resources such as the Pines catalog and Galileo. Staff estimated modest start‑up costs and said any small budget adjustments would be handled before final budget adoption; staff suggested those costs would likely be less than $30,000.

The board motion to withdraw from Greater Clarks Hill and become a single‑county region carried after a formal motion and second. Staff said a county‑appointed regional board would govern the county library region and that the state would continue to maintain certain positions, such as a regional director, under the single‑county model.

The decision prompted an extended public comment period focused on the library. Karen Parham, identified as CEO of the Freedom to Read Coalition of Columbia County, said an open records request showed county leadership had explored withdrawal from the state system and questioned whether the county would lose state funding or create duplicate local systems. Parham and others warned that withdrawing from the multi‑county region could be used to circumvent professional staffing requirements and enable censorship; she said nine books had been removed from shelves and two titles previously were banned in prior years, and asked the board to consider community concerns.

Several other residents and library professionals spoke. Adelaide Rawls described how her family uses the Evans branch and told commissioners she values the Pines connection for placing holds across the system. Mary Gaudette, a health sciences librarian with a master's in library science, urged the board to retain professional oversight and asked whether interlibrary loan and other services would continue; staff answered that existing services such as Pines would continue under the single‑county model. Other speakers asked the board to defer to library professionals for collection decisions and to ensure transparency in any operational or catalog changes.

Board members said the single‑county region option was presented after consultation with the state and staff recommended the change as a way to retain state services while increasing local governance of library policy. The motion carried; staff said they would submit the application to the state the next day if the board wished to proceed.","The board voted to withdraw the Columbia County Library from the Greater Clarks Hill region and become a single‑county region in the state library system effective Jan. 1, 2026. Staff said services such as Pines would continue; public commenters raised concerns about reshelving, book removals, community input and governance.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6249086,"Columbia County presents FY2026 proposed budget; general fund up just over 3%",161,792000,953000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3207906-126801cf3354f8b9f06d8f0e70ddabe9&start=792&end=953","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3207906-126801cf3354f8b9f06d8f0e70ddabe9/thumbnail_792000.jpg","/articles/6249086/Columbia-County/Georgia/Columbia-County-presents-FY2026-proposed-budget-general-fund-up-just-over-3","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6249086-e87230662a1ba671359610f9f9ea2008/orig.mp4?Expires=1770425472&Signature=R2A1fG1e85e5czMLa9hhURmD4OIdvk1M~V0vOVTqdNV9VVt5ViqUYSYpFB6QA-OauK8216DcHcOrfobPCMFa0V1ud0TL5jc1QZogJN8x9S4T8j7S~LthDWpSzVsrFOnflZWUfV2ripgpck8quIZITyNWmi5RwV4-su8HDEfERxfnHIQmnf8acWc7nV30Og0ZzAXHRF5OYXaROr3JYUc6tcmJkmKQxzA71iMaIaIklp5Y01UarpBTz0WMe3lLCigqhJo1lHqdJhyAfj9I4vU-WgFymaO0swSyfOLCfffR32gmeylDwSYpROjtlBA6z0dDy1JeqwiHh5R5CgHySB~5Ng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Columbia County staff presented the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget at a public hearing May 6, saying the General Fund budget shows a little over 3% growth from the prior year and that the county is preparing for a possible millage rollback.

The presentation, made by Mr. Johnson, emphasized that budgets for all funds are balanced and that the board previously directed staff to “try to continue to keep taxes as low as possible.” Johnson said the county budgeted a cost‑of‑living adjustment and on‑call pay for corrections staff, included a retirement supplement for superior court judges, and moved some capital items out of the General Fund into other capital funds.

Staff said deferred reclassifications and a small number of promotions were added after earlier guidance to hold reclassifications this year. A one‑year contract for Gold Cross ambulance services was budgeted and described as an “additional $600,000 in supplement” necessary to continue ambulance operations under the new agreement. Johnson told commissioners the county had used ARPA funds in prior years for some positions that were ending and worked with local officials to address those positions.

The presentation also described an accounting change for library funding: rather than budgeting roughly $2.8 million and transferring to the state portion at year end, staff budgeted the full library amount in the General Fund so any underspend would show as a General Fund savings. Johnson said the $300,000 referenced in discussion does not change library operations or add new taxpayer cost; he called it “really an accounting moving of the money.”

On revenue assumptions, staff said the proposed budget uses a 5% projection for local option sales tax collections and a 5% growth estimate in the digest based on recent history; staff described 5% as conservative. Johnson noted the millage rate is set separately and stated the current millage is 4.568. He also said growth in the digest and declining bond levies should slightly reduce the tax bill for some property owners. Staff reported a contingency of about 2.7% (the county typically aims for 2.5%).

Johnson told the board the county must advertise the proposed budget in the newspaper as required by law, expected to do so on May 16, and then consider final adoption at the board's first June meeting; the budget would take effect July 1 if adopted. He said the county received preliminary state guidance about becoming a single‑county library region (discussed separately) and that any small implementation costs for that change would be addressed during final budget adjustments; staff estimated such costs would be nominal and likely under $30,000.

Discussion at the hearing included staff clarifications about the stormwater fund drawing on fund balance for planned infrastructure projects, the 2021 ARPA spending deadlines, and the potential statewide discussion of changing or eliminating the Insurance Premium Tax Fund, which staff estimated represents roughly $12.5 million in revenue for the county and would require either cuts or additional revenue sources if altered.

No formal budget adoption vote occurred at the hearing; staff will publish required notices, make any last adjustments, and return to the board for adoption in June.","County staff presented the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget during a public hearing, highlighting a modest General Fund increase, a planned COLA, a one‑year ambulance contract budgeted at about $600,000, and an accounting change that moves $300,000 for the library within the General Fund.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners approve rezoning for new Augusta Christian elementary school with traffic condition

Columbia County adopts resolution opposing Harlem's planned annexation of 736.3 acres

Commissioners approve Columbia County move to single‑county library region; public speakers urge caution

Columbia County presents FY2026 proposed budget; general fund up just over 3%