[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",6168899,"mediaKeyId","5406498-6afbb0c5c756ec2444a9a08699b2bb64","parentId",5406498,"title","Commission approves right-of-way payments for Hereford Farm Road widening project","audioSeconds",63,"startMs",835000,"endMs",898000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5406498-6afbb0c5c756ec2444a9a08699b2bb64&start=835&end=898","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5406498-6afbb0c5c756ec2444a9a08699b2bb64/thumbnail_835000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6168899/Columbia-County/Georgia/Commission-approves-right-of-way-payments-for-Hereford-Farm-Road-widening-project","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6168899-d73d03c0c69efc4de83e33633ee269ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1775212244&Signature=Q6iaQSNw7lST0-2GYqa6fwPSK9V5peYHWaaurq~QG-aKbbMKmKOQz0j4MXofP4Tx7uUJkZBQ7B~VJS5Xlzl-R-2FqfHXRNM7p174zFJyMf-BYG0dHcSW2Tgti-UuADEIihErGPYcXFnqKTURwseZh2A5xe2O8fJEKRvSV3PuanesQHrAjnLJIh4ZCsSDyHSIHD5xHZ0Bifi4tv5aVbgis7129BD1qFjYvcKEorcOFka3B-aQTA22vtV4IXPRvzBiLB856NsFbj6XcBEWIqSZS4RRuTnV10N9Ohy94dKsTmYdZy0Qn3TI24-A2SYHq3WPg3A~Qi6oWx4MF5-NTD5VxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-16T17:16:59Z","article","The Columbia County Board of Commissioners approved a group of negotiated right‑of‑way and easement payments tied to the Hereford Farm Road widening project during its July meeting.

A commissioner moved to approve the payments, which the record lists as: $26,700 to David and Dolores Anderson; $60,061.43800 to John Carter II (parcel 60054 A); $24,500 to William Jr. and Bonnie O'Leary (parcel 67101); $8,000 to Charles Durand (parcel 7249); and $11,900 to Gilliam and Kathy McKinnon (parcels listed in the record). The motion was seconded and carried by the board.

County staff said the acquisitions are part of standard negotiations; staff reported the project negotiations are approximately \"80 complete, 56 to go,\" indicating several parcels remain to be acquired or settled.

Why it matters: Right‑of‑way acquisitions are required to widen Hereford Farm Road; the payments are the negotiated compensation for easements and property interests that enable construction.

The meeting record does not show additional details about closing dates or funding sources for each parcel beyond their listing and the summary status update. Commissioners approved the payments following the standard negotiation process and recorded the progress update.

Ending: The approved payments advance the county’s ability to acquire the easements needed for the Hereford Farm Road widening; staff will continue negotiations on outstanding parcels.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025.07.15 Columbia County Board of Commissioners Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved multiple negotiated right-of-way and easement payments to property owners for the Hereford Farm Road widening project and recorded progress on negotiations.","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},6168904,"Commission approves Amendment 4 to Ceres contract for waterway debris removal under NRCS grant",84,741000,825000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5406498-6afbb0c5c756ec2444a9a08699b2bb64&start=741&end=825","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5406498-6afbb0c5c756ec2444a9a08699b2bb64/thumbnail_741000.jpg","/articles/6168904/Columbia-County/Georgia/Commission-approves-Amendment-4-to-Ceres-contract-for-waterway-debris-removal-under-NRCS-grant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6168904-29a38c2c3e001169d686cdb0ed1563cc/orig.mp4?Expires=1775212244&Signature=JWSAcER371W4uK0QRxBNRt4ufGNzVTwPlXhk9aakyhHeCN6X7z2drTPfV4u6rhHMfNC-c~8D0hVLuxIuGvVt8F7dykrovJ8Zj44eOzJjkBgBxjWq59UQM1TX~VoPaJ~iXTY4p2wAIhgpoqMoacODewRXYWZqFy0~WmoNsyD4QZnGE4X9vUZ82vHTGXrbKWg4sLGx9WS9h-4g2epV89Ok-4BDPhdJi1MmleRNf0Z0k~r9wb88DUPDj82Zs42PGks8djB8AP6C3LD8hF4VspUF9ICBvuWqPXWhNJWM4lSqQ0ivPxDxnz~16SOdEZEBfvCk0VnVm4Ilhw9anLSzlr2lYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Columbia County Board of Commissioners approved Amendment 4 to the contract with Ceres Environmental Services Inc. for Emergency Watershed Protection Program services, authorizing the firm to remove debris from county waterways under terms funded by a U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) grant.

County staff told commissioners the contract uses unit costs and distinguishes work performed from inside the waterway versus from land. When Ceres can place equipment in the creek and work from the water, the rate will be $128 per linear foot; when crews must work from land (for example, where equipment cannot access the channel), the unit cost will be $164 per linear foot. Staff said the work will be billed on unit quantities as the contractor completes tasks.

Why it matters: The project addresses debris removal in waterways, which county staff said was approved for funding by NRCS. Staff reported the county’s NRCS grant totals $34,000,000 and that the county’s preliminary estimate for its needs is about $10,000,000; staff said the grant funding will cover the contract work.

Commissioner Couch moved to approve Amendment 4 to the Ceres contract; a second was recorded and the motion carried.

Ending: Staff said they were glad to begin waterway work; implementation will proceed under the NRCS grant and will be monitored and billed by unit costs tied to site conditions.","The board approved Amendment 4 to a contract with Ceres Environmental Services for Emergency Watershed Protection Program work; unit pricing differs for in‑creek versus land-based removal and costs will be billed to the NRCS grant.",{"_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},6168908,"Commission gives first reading to grading ordinance changes: buffers cut to 25 feet, HOA slope responsibilities added",183,399000,582000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5406498-6afbb0c5c756ec2444a9a08699b2bb64&start=399&end=582","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5406498-6afbb0c5c756ec2444a9a08699b2bb64/thumbnail_399000.jpg","/articles/6168908/Columbia-County/Georgia/Commission-gives-first-reading-to-grading-ordinance-changes-buffers-cut-to-25-feet-HOA-slope-responsibilities-added","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6168908-9a34258020dbb7ef1e717befdc8c3bc4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775212244&Signature=Q~po4rKGLP~~IP3i3MSeai-iIWopcGwpYs7EMjeDj6Yqb8jL~uetEDvEzVCC3ULFKF0W0HcJe4DU5iWdGWoB84F2NYZVqI1jMBp9UuPM5t2FTvcnlP3wqle4Y9NbFTOKN3l88iGL3UGFABSaJoRGoSYR18pvY9wmHKJXJ~z8VswVpVXI~5rfIP34vfyag6o0v2FhO4Atbn5~ZlmvzSNQLdibZpsZPoHj2a2MxslaDBkeJKUO3RYm6KRozqUXaS6eCwtPgq8KhOjzdrNbbcrcFOQHdi6fQxLVu61x67d4wgfThk4E4L1TezU43t~YrBP~mY2hhP8~A98uWVPjfglXQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Columbia County Board of Commissioners approved the first reading of Ordinance 25‑06, which amends Chapter 34 (environment) of the county code to revise major-site grading, buffers, slope and street-tree provisions. County staff said the changes align Chapter 34 with prior updates in Chapter 90 and address design challenges raised by developers.

Key changes explained by staff include reducing a previously required 50‑foot buffer for mass grading to 25 feet to match Chapter 90; requiring that the buffer be fully contained within a development’s common area so it cannot be individually altered; and formally allowing a landscaped berm as an alternative visual screen in lieu of a continuous buffer.

Staff also said Chapter 34’s street-tree requirements have been consolidated under Chapter 90, eliminating duplicate provisions. The ordinance revises slope rules so slopes steeper than 6:1 may cross property lines if developers install a subsurface storm system sized according to the distance water runs across parcels; staff noted design criteria are broken down by intervals (for example, 200 feet, 150 feet) to guide engineers.

The proposal requires homeowners’ associations to maintain any slopes that cross property lines and sets a benching rule that a 10‑foot bench is required for every 10 feet of slope height in certain circumstances, staff said.

Why it matters: The changes affect developers, HOAs and future homeowners by clarifying allowable grading practices, maintenance responsibilities and planting/screening options.

A commissioner moved and a second was recorded; the first reading passed. Staff said the ordinance is intended to reduce permitting friction and to ensure consistent standards across development chapters.

Ending: The first reading moves the ordinance forward for additional review; staff and commissioners noted the changes are largely technical and intended to align Chapter 34 with recent amendments to Chapter 90.","At first reading, commissioners approved amendments to Chapter 34 to align grading and buffer rules with Chapter 90: reducing some buffers from 50 to 25 feet, requiring buffers be in common areas, adding planted-berm option, updating tree requirements, and allowing slopes to cross property lines with HOA maintenance and subsurface systems.",{"_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},6168913,"Columbia County sets millage at rollback rate; M&O set at 4.36 mills",107,183000,290000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5406498-6afbb0c5c756ec2444a9a08699b2bb64&start=183&end=290","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5406498-6afbb0c5c756ec2444a9a08699b2bb64/thumbnail_183000.jpg","/articles/6168913/Columbia-County/Georgia/Columbia-County-sets-millage-at-rollback-rate-MO-set-at-436-mills","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6168913-9c305ff7855eae6b9edc2fd0c4e0effe/orig.mp4?Expires=1775212244&Signature=bTHld7vOn0T9D7ncOcHB8wKfLlaNmsE~vD~~Uria1ruvSZZ-unxaOYeUsqbc3PyPPW6NH~OSa2Vl-hFw5XnNACd5pXXcQLWW0kipWj1hpVegUPD4wlfod5huCMxkZnwtkixDQ1HnJe4SHSPLU6sfX9EXeZhJ7B1z3Szn45pMWvpjTVsre6P8Qc3bDphdS10Y90dj3gYUBZ1Y3OoA0GbTojn~rajdu~gFwHKlNtPx0F4u~qCoOpEUn-B9kz7JL7cYwsPqVPaVMrdICxSYhzTNLjVQ-xr-2tuNdlrlKQVnKLIlMxE8oi82Lz1jUleaQjWlIFW8rclpyzTP5OJbEwaUMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Columbia County Board of Commissioners approved Resolution 25-19 at its July meeting to set the county’s property tax millage at the rollback rate approved during the budget process. County staff told commissioners that using the rollback rate should offset much of the increase in property assessments.

The county’s M&O rollback rate was presented as 4.36 mills; the total county-side millage, including fire and debt service, was reported as 4.814 mills. County staff also reported that the school board had rolled its millage back to 16.234 mills.

Why it matters: When property values (the tax digest) rise, the rollback rate is calculated to lower the millage so that revenue remains roughly level with the prior year; adopting the rollback rate can reduce the tax impact of rising assessed values for many taxpayers.

County staff explained the concept during the meeting: \"The rollback rate, basically what happens is when you have the increase in the digest, we have to compute a rate that would essentially negate the increase in the digest,\" a staff member said. The staff member added that some property owners whose values rose more than the average could still see higher bills, while those with declining values could see significant decreases.

Commissioner Malia moved to approve Resolution 25-19 as presented and authorized the chairman to sign required documents. A second was made; the motion passed after commissioners voted in favor by voice/hand.

No additional hearings were scheduled because the board chose to adopt the rollback rate rather than set a higher millage that would have required additional millage hearings, staff said.

Ending: Commissioners and staff described the action as consistent with past practice and said it should provide relief to many taxpayers amid rising property values.","The Board approved Resolution 25-19 to adopt the rollback millage rate for maintenance and operations, a move officials said should offset assessment increases for many taxpayers.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6168918,"Residents urge commissioners to rescind new library guidelines, cite staffing and censorship concerns",1368,905000,2273000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5406498-6afbb0c5c756ec2444a9a08699b2bb64&start=905&end=2273","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5406498-6afbb0c5c756ec2444a9a08699b2bb64/thumbnail_905000.jpg","/articles/6168918/Columbia-County/Georgia/Residents-urge-commissioners-to-rescind-new-library-guidelines-cite-staffing-and-censorship-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6168918-d645632eab039a992597261e5c475e30/orig.mp4?Expires=1775212244&Signature=HXVCsPCDkn45SLj9vuSnQpwaFuP2xIfBIfTECECBJ9-LcEWeCzzB3tf3kEtqootoaN6VueKwRz-oxhOZLf3XY6LqJaXMZ-9H7iVRzZKk9MUvJhtusvj3QAOlGEcZjiQRV8DRH4TmBFY~k4x4-5IrrZmpHp~Or9HwaVsgiGJ0a1LFCrMh1P-nQVDCuuT99lOa-X8zJRlL6zFGy-~M~C5Hv0JQtY57v~bF9RiEXceSp83SpeEBx7cQB87RlxwoAWs2rL~4DiicipNHV0zw9m8TD8MNXNQggwg9tMkDPCUNar5x~BNSn5uwEtMmHotQPxfAXLNQm0-yTepNIBN06H2ANQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of Columbia County residents used the public-comment portion of the Board of Commissioners’ July meeting to demand the county rescind recently adopted library guidelines and to restore input from library professionals. The speakers said the guidelines have driven staff departures, prompted questions about whether the county attempted to leave the PINES regional library system, and empowered politically aligned board members to exert control over library policy.

The complaints were brought by local residents who said they had direct experience with the system. \"This board and the county seem to be making a lot of decisions about the library in the dark,\" said Ashley Keller, of Grove Town, during public comment. \"The guidelines were passed without any input from librarians or citizens.\" Keller said the county’s discussion about leaving the PINES network was uncovered only after an open-records request.

Why it matters: Commenters said the changes affect staffing, access and community trust in a core public service. Several speakers linked the policies to an increase in open staff positions and to a perception that library governance has become politicized.

Speakers described the local effects in detail. \"The county currently has six positions open at Evans and two at Harlem,\" said Karen Parham of 3421 Hilltop Trail, criticizing what she described as a hostile environment for library employees after the guideline changes. Parham accused the board of appointing library advisory members aligned with specific political views; she said one appointment appeared connected to campaign donations. \"The only qualification one board member seems to have is that she and her husband each gave $2,500 to Commissioner Couch's campaign,\" Parham said.

Other commenters framed the issue as broader civic concern. Marlena Bergeron, of Willow Creek Court, warned of \"fear-driven mob mentality\" and invoked historical examples to argue for intellectual freedom; Andres Reed Smith, of Vicky Court, compared censorship to conditions in countries he left and urged that responsibility for policing children’s reading remain with parents.

Speakers asked the commission to restore librarian input on policy, stop perceived political interference, and — in some comments — to put any controversial policy changes to a public vote. Several asked the board to reverse its recent actions and to re-engage with the PINES system.

What the record shows: Public commenters repeatedly said the library advisory board has assumed decision-making authority and that bylaws were altered to remove references to partnering with librarians. Those claims were raised in public comment by multiple speakers but were not responded to with new policy votes or staff directives during the meeting.

No formal board action on the library guidelines was taken during the meeting. The public-comment segment recorded no motions, votes or staff directions adopting or rescinding library policy; comments were presented during the meeting’s public-comment period.

Community context and next steps: Commenters tied the issue to staffing and to the county’s relationship with regional library partners. They urged commissioners to allow trained library staff to manage collection decisions and to provide clearer public communication about any governance changes.

\"Your opinions, while valid, are irrelevant\" to professional practice, Keller said. She asked commissioners to \"stay out of the library and allow that to be run by professionals.\" The board did not make a statement or vote on that request at the meeting.

Ending note: The library controversy dominated the public-comment portion of the July meeting; speakers asked for transparency, restoration of staff input and formal clarification of the county’s relationship with the PINES network.","At the July Columbia County Board of Commissioners meeting, multiple residents urged the board to withdraw recently adopted library guidelines, saying the changes were made without librarian or public input and have contributed to staff vacancies and public distrust.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission approves right-of-way payments for Hereford Farm Road widening project

Commission approves Amendment 4 to Ceres contract for waterway debris removal under NRCS grant

Commission gives first reading to grading ordinance changes: buffers cut to 25 feet, HOA slope responsibilities added

Columbia County sets millage at rollback rate; M&O set at 4.36 mills

Residents urge commissioners to rescind new library guidelines, cite staffing and censorship concerns