[{"_1":2,"_121":-5,"_122":-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",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_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",6745663,"mediaKeyId","5344972-1406e0f348524ce4687476d65d0e30f0","parentId",5344972,"title","Columbia County amends Ceres contract to match NRCS linear‑foot pricing for stream cleanup under EWPP award","audioSeconds",192,"startMs",3678000,"endMs",3870000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5344972-1406e0f348524ce4687476d65d0e30f0&start=3678&end=3870","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5344972-1406e0f348524ce4687476d65d0e30f0/thumbnail_3678000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6745663/Columbia-County/Georgia/Columbia-County-amends-Ceres-contract-to-match-NRCS-linearfoot-pricing-for-stream-cleanup-under-EWPP-award","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6745663-699aeccd53fa388302f7a982115726fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196948&Signature=gtnOs7-N-XZa1I7NXrE6egWlxZyz7X4cFzfC3TvFRjheVwmNlI3bHOwBrP4pLBxcRTygN-HhiH4Y22UqWzf7w5ADuiMT8W0vepyS-mt9Z3g9LAePkuxtUWPFcJxQorrb9np8amcFcLd8mGEJnUaUbb3SuRx4XUAKOzbPsIAp86md3JwUFhrvMy2LbeBQv0SM9FyxggfJAzLSS2NIGURF-HqYqMuqhcg4u3rPxma7jfjk9SwUHBu-XQtmCG2B8SzoyDd3lKWfJIGWiFXL9wyFqQWODv-g5q~YPyz0ctM7C22nCO~kgYWfqEO90Upc7K0sa1zOzzpJO-azCJWnT0zhvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-09T01:32:38Z","article","Planning staff told the Proposed Development & Planning Services Committee on July 8 that Columbia County will amend its emergency watershed protection contract with Ceres Environmental Services so the vendor’s pricing conforms to NRCS EWPP line‑item requirements (per linear foot). The county said the converted all‑in price is $128 per linear foot, which bundles pickup, grinding and disposal or in‑place grinding where appropriate.

Staff explained that the NRCS award—an Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWPP) grant—covers eligible work and that the award amount was up to $31,600,000 for the county’s eligible projects. Because Ceres originally priced work by volume (cubic yards), county and vendor staff recalculated prices to linear feet, a conversion that varies with stream width and site conditions. Planning staff said the county’s linear‑foot estimate is below the total grant allowance and that the amendment will allow billing under the EWPP rules.

Officials said disposal methods will vary: on narrow wooded stream banks crews will grind material and leave it in place as mulch where permitted to control erosion; in other locations material will be hauled off. Planners also said they will generally leave stumps in place to stabilize banks rather than removing them. Staff recommended approval and moved the amendment to consent.

The committee recorded the amendment under consent. Staff noted the linear‑foot price is an estimate because linear‑foot pricing depends on stream width and site conditions and the original contract had itemized prices by action rather than a single bundled linear‑foot rate.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Columbia County | Development and Planning Services Committee (July 8th)","oneSentenceSummary","Planning staff told the committee that Columbia County will amend its EWPP contract with Ceres Environmental Services to convert vendor pricing to a $128 per linear‑foot rate so the county can bill NRCS for watershed cleanup work.","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},6745653,"Planners move several code and fee changes to debate, including buffer reduction and increased recording fee pass‑through",639,2984000,3623000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5344972-1406e0f348524ce4687476d65d0e30f0&start=2984&end=3623","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5344972-1406e0f348524ce4687476d65d0e30f0/thumbnail_2984000.jpg","/articles/6745653/Columbia-County/Georgia/Planners-move-several-code-and-fee-changes-to-debate-including-buffer-reduction-and-increased-recording-fee-passthrough","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6745653-0a731d34fdbc753169dacf59d8bab6b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196948&Signature=SUVpudLXZkSfaSaYZz~Vdos2MRSfPY5TvMvJI018jxtCG5AVk6jNeUx~IKzEMSp-0TQb76DhE9vcxADBOJZmIQHCq4WQfnIE-dsgLeL7S08VGR9IxWIr4v-0bcQxPBoM5E7PN1S8PHb4tBNTeACYX9ilSU75UCMUfvwjJQq4FJqDfJZODhWiybPHhlyC6XOwiGUTyC1r8wl1K--c8lvSWl0WmONQFyCnzL7hj9i62C389ivoth899RoA6CB4627J4-mZ2Kac6L0s7GKZ43Txene-Zz3wUmaH4pEiPjxI8BAklajAIwhXHYU4f1PuEWvdQLhlMVGF~ROQvT7TrnFGfQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Proposed Development & Planning Services Committee on July 8 moved several planning and fee matters to the debate or paid agenda and approved routine easement encroachments by consent.

Ordinance 25‑06: Planning staff introduced an amendment to Chapter 34 (major site grading) to align the major site grading buffer with Chapter 90 by reducing a 50‑foot buffer to 25 feet when a development qualifies for major grading. Staff said the buffer will be located in the development’s common area so lots are not burdened individually, and that planted berms and street tree provisions from Chapter 90 will be reflected in Chapter 34. The ordinance also adds three design options for incorporating steeper slopes into lots, and requires homeowners’ association (HOA) documents to make the HOA responsible for ongoing slope maintenance. Staff noted a typographical error in the draft (a linear foot limit) and said it will be corrected before return. The ordinance was moved to debate.

Fees and licensing: Planning staff presented Resolution 25‑22 to raise the easement encroachment fee from $55 to $80 to cover a $25 Clerk of Court recording fee after House Bill 1292 restricted paper filings; staff said the county will handle electronic filing and pass through the recording fee. The committee moved the resolution to the paid (debate) agenda. Staff also introduced a revision to the cold beverage license fee schedule and proposed eliminating a separate permit category for out‑of‑jurisdiction caterers to simplify and reduce fees; those changes were moved for debate.

Ordinance 25‑05: Staff presented an amendment to the occupational tax and licensing section to require payment of occupational tax at the time of application rather than afterward, to avoid costly follow‑ups and enforcement after licenses are granted. That ordinance was also moved to the debate agenda.

Easement encroachments: Two specific encroachment requests (2418 Lawrence St. — uncovered deck into a 20‑ft D&U with storm line; 973 Mitchell Ln. — pool, existing shed and screen wall into a 10‑ft drainage and utility easement) were reviewed and recommended for approval; both were moved to consent and approved.

Staff provided workload and permit reports showing residential permits up ~8% and commercial permits up ~33% for FY25. The committee adjourned and scheduled the next meeting for August 12.","The Proposed Development & Planning Services Committee moved multiple planning code and fee changes to the debate agenda on July 8, including Ordinance 25‑06 to reduce major site grading buffers to 25 feet and a proposal to require occupational tax payment at application.",{"_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},6745648,"Columbia County District Attorney Bobby L. Christine mobilized for military duty; DA’s office operations to continue",256,2392000,2648000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5344972-1406e0f348524ce4687476d65d0e30f0&start=2392&end=2648","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5344972-1406e0f348524ce4687476d65d0e30f0/thumbnail_2392000.jpg","/articles/6745648/Columbia-County/Georgia/Columbia-County-District-Attorney-Bobby-L-Christine-mobilized-for-military-duty-DAs-office-operations-to-continue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6745648-3d635d8abb67a0f7e0fb9af6d0819a9e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196948&Signature=MWUG2JZHLSn3cjslgRpHbWWpWJqQETGXwpdPu0mdGwWLQvAy7PBsOV8Bn~ChuQhKHNRP-5HQRxK~4CmOXfWigWVnwSoNOrNPormy3gkVwrQ1SyMs9HfvFEdC0y8FOlrGS-dgUrap1e~ba~dXdpInr3kNNaCxW3IZj749skoXQkcfOd7kWo5PFwvBvnDUUqKics9g~8a1EDyZk-TQDgxnCl6D4R8B2afvEUPa~eP6OzkVMtg-oDD4jfvn911KYPkWZLWCFSeMCV6P1lVEC95j9-WwiGxjJQKokNOpV5fTtZI1E8FihlPoZ73qWhcdQKK0CyuqvQwcHynxtjeyoKDfgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the July 8 Management/Internal Services Committee meeting a commissioner read a written notice from District Attorney Bobby L. Christine stating that he has been ordered to military duty after being named the Judge Advocate General (TJAG) and that he will remain a mobilized member of the Georgia Army National Guard.

In the written statement Mr. Christine said that under federal and state law his civilian post is not vacated while performing ordered military duty and that he has taken steps to offset county expenses by utilizing unpaid state wages for assistant district attorney salaries. Christine reported filing his office’s 2024 performance report and said the office continued to operate without requesting additional county funding. A commissioner who read the email praised Christine’s service and asked that the message be entered into the record.

The transcript records the reading of the district attorney’s statement and public praise from commissioners; there was no formal board action recorded on personnel or compensation at the meeting.","District Attorney Bobby L. Christine notified the board in a written statement read at the July 8 meeting that he has been ordered to military duty as The Judge Advocate General (TJAG) and that his civilian office will remain in place during mobilization.",{"_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},6745668,"Columbia County committee moves forward five‑year C3.ai agreement to support property valuations",770,999000,1769000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5344972-1406e0f348524ce4687476d65d0e30f0&start=999&end=1769","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5344972-1406e0f348524ce4687476d65d0e30f0/thumbnail_999000.jpg","/articles/6745668/Columbia-County/Georgia/Columbia-County-committee-moves-forward-fiveyear-C3ai-agreement-to-support-property-valuations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6745668-8797f6132657b47b8816a0bc69bec117/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196948&Signature=ak-ShAjo0vkqvILFbcpBlLbTxfGykE5Wx-JG3coB5f1baCAtxgfjj1D6qtajGVqjEJNVi23o4d-ILNH8d95FKt12UuqAfWT6SrejEPLGOLEhv~db~37Wg5vo2tmNsH8XISRHqDqjq38UUz5Oa8kr89SPYPRjIKXsHd83XEbohSx6GH2iGUcT2nq-Cqb1asTEvCPAGpq1X2sIpQ7vE2xDjttBAKgqHedwSCdWez3HDisz6iObol48mKNn~m-e5mEZx0jN0p9H878FISDW3xKHlfRGuM3oVb45nmEQgJCZ0uI0DsHGf5IMc0qmxPyaCjpq1SiHPAN-Bk-qovL07MxNDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Management/Internal Services Committee on July 8 moved to approve a five‑year agreement with C3.ai to provide AI‑assisted mass appraisal services for Columbia County, with the first year payment of $250,000 to be paid from the Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT) and subsequent years to be budgeted in the tax assessor’s office.

The assessor’s office said the software will run continuous analyses across the county’s roughly 65,000 parcels, integrate with the county’s existing Canvas system and produce neighborhood‑style reports that staff can share with taxpayers. “It generates…a report to give to the taxpayer that shows which comparables it found that were closest to their house,” said Ani, identified in the meeting as the chief appraiser. County staff recommended approval.

Supporters said the tool should improve transparency and accuracy in mass appraisal and better equip staff to respond to taxpayer questions before appeals. “There’s a cost for that, which we can only do so much. I think they do a great job,” a commissioner said during debate, adding that accuracy and consistency were the deciding factors. Commissioners asked whether the software would reduce staffing needs; Ani said increased efficiency is possible but could not confirm staffing reductions in year one.

The contract will not include the commercial appraisal module at this time; staff said commercial parcels represent about 8–9% of the county digest and that the county is not pursuing the commercial module now. The county also said the vendor reduced its initial proposal and that the price before the committee reflected negotiations with C3.ai. The item was moved to the consent agenda and was approved as presented.

Because the contract covers mass appraisal processes rather than individual fee appraisals, county staff emphasized that the system produces mass‑appraisal output and that individual homeowners would still see a mass appraisal report showing comparable properties, not a fee appraisal.","The Management/Internal Services Committee approved by consent a five‑year agreement with C3.ai to provide AI‑driven mass‑appraisal support, with a $250,000 first‑year payment funded from the TAVT and later years charged to the tax assessor's budget. Commissioners asked officials about cost, transparency and potential staffing impacts.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":46,"_47":115,"_49":116,"_51":117,"_53":118,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":119,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":120,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6745659,"Columbia County to dispatch Grovetown police, fire and EMS under MOU at no cost to city",2091,1779000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5344972-1406e0f348524ce4687476d65d0e30f0&start=1779&end=3870","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5344972-1406e0f348524ce4687476d65d0e30f0/thumbnail_1779000.jpg","/articles/6745659/Columbia-County/Georgia/Columbia-County-to-dispatch-Grovetown-police-fire-and-EMS-under-MOU-at-no-cost-to-city","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6745659-a4ff536933043489b2cf67fe1e354a7f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196948&Signature=BGcHuSb-FjUwAVa2uLLUjLpSWbS~JiSSjQetxKVSE07lJDJe8HKy79fvYWGVGYkE3HCQ8KHGN5MCBv4cu-rHMZ9knHM1RYUHvKu94CBritL2R9CTxgqumAjmYdv7XFPrQv8skunwbW89Ol-XIasLexj8wj17PPL4sRUDNBqIKj1vYDTvKQBrrCY3lM4aJZA96s5TC5xV68h-Y6T0IZqraKAx6mjH6QKdPONIH5l27Mju5nM8IcdrldA7hHCCBuqbqWQxE3dYDrKkblOAKqAKslDGGZ7WqdfQuzSJ1jWYwG-1y7PFtXiETl-JM64plwfdkdNIB6kRpJZwP-a4erZczw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff told the Management/Internal Services Committee on July 8 that Columbia County has an MOU with the City of Grovetown to provide dispatch services for Grovetown’s fire department; the sheriff’s office had already executed an MOU for police dispatch. Under the arrangement, county 911 will receive and dispatch police, fire and EMS calls for Grovetown and the existing practice of transferring calls will end.

“There is no cost to the city of Grovetown for this,” staff said, and added that the county will not be absorbing Grovetown personnel as county employees. When asked about budget impact, staff replied there should be none because the county already answers Grovetown calls and will now dispatch units rather than transfer callers. Staff recommended approval and the item was moved and approved by consent.

The county said the arrangement mirrors an existing agreement with the City of Harlem and that consolidating dispatching is intended to streamline response and improve simplicity for callers.","The Management/Internal Services Committee approved a memorandum of understanding to provide dispatch services for the City of Grovetown’s fire department (police dispatch already handled). County staff said there is no cost to Grovetown, no transfer of personnel, and no immediate budget impact to county operations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Columbia County amends Ceres contract to match NRCS linear‑foot pricing for stream cleanup under EWPP award

Planners move several code and fee changes to debate, including buffer reduction and increased recording fee pass‑through

Columbia County District Attorney Bobby L. Christine mobilized for military duty; DA’s office operations to continue

Columbia County committee moves forward five‑year C3.ai agreement to support property valuations

Columbia County to dispatch Grovetown police, fire and EMS under MOU at no cost to city