[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",5978118,"mediaKeyId","5793398-e94f4cb958e69c905d8d539a56d47bc6","parentId",5793398,"title","County rolls out district-based email notifications for zoning applications","audioSeconds",97,"startMs",3260000,"endMs",3357000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5793398-e94f4cb958e69c905d8d539a56d47bc6&start=3260&end=3357","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5793398-e94f4cb958e69c905d8d539a56d47bc6/thumbnail_3260000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5978118/Columbia-County/Florida/County-rolls-out-district-based-email-notifications-for-zoning-applications","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5978118-8f1d5facd747058f53fc129d821eeea8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770549640&Signature=UfuwzUe3i0qM54fF745weNpau2WqTpYH-8eq4INNTPYtjfa3IihOXXBYUNmu~JDEizEwJwKx2LPLc9N-jKQD19OcQOf8lZNJoIGFfdpE~uRY-JfiqgXlxk18y3zeb0KZsC4K81ILa~JTDgxSal53d~gD0api9PbQPPNi8BfPHRic-EqYGWLbYV5U3-yN-56Lib9qdEMrqBNqLyP6UeGU9DaSEx9e3FlFrRzMCPB3K5q7eL2buAGQ1ZoNTwW9XpxPE6TxkGGrp3o-H8-b-67AoMYbRUiy94L53fSlTHlrOftxp1~giuQIwtx07faDIoDQFf8BXzaoiuxVFiCKw9U1fw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Columbia County, FL","date","2025-09-19T10:36:32Z","article","Columbia County building and zoning staff announced a new, district-based email notification process for zoning applications during the Sept. 18 meeting. Melissa Garber, assistant building and zoning director, described a workflow in which staff will review submitted zoning applications, determine eligibility and the request type, identify the commissioner district(s) affected and then send a targeted notification email to the applicable commissioner(s).

Garber said the notice will include the application type, applicant name and contact information and invitation to contact the building and zoning department for follow-up. \"If it's in your district and your district only, then you will receive the notification,\" she said, adding the system reduces the number of irrelevant notices a commissioner receives. She acknowledged edge cases where parcels border multiple districts and said staff will make best efforts not to miss notifications in such situations.

Garber said she worked with Patrick in IT to implement the solution and that the process was rolled out quickly after a staff proposal. Commissioners in the audience were told to contact the building and zoning department for additional information or questions; no formal vote was required for the operational change.

The county indicated the new notification email will allow commissioners to be alerted earlier about zoning activity in their districts without receiving every application across the county. Implementation tasks will be managed by the building and zoning and IT departments.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025-9-18 Columbia County Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting pt1","oneSentenceSummary","Columbia County building and zoning staff implemented a new notification process to email commissioners only for zoning applications within their district, and provided instructions for how the notification will look and whom to contact.","taxTitle","Columbia County, Florida","taxId",27813,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5978123,"Commissioners approve two-lot Bethlehem minor subdivision in Commissioner Phillips' district",186,381000,567000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5793398-e94f4cb958e69c905d8d539a56d47bc6&start=381&end=567","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5793398-e94f4cb958e69c905d8d539a56d47bc6/thumbnail_381000.jpg","/articles/5978123/Columbia-County/Florida/Commissioners-approve-two-lot-Bethlehem-minor-subdivision-in-Commissioner-Phillips-district","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5978123-b483eedd644a9e89bfdb260e242bab68/orig.mp4?Expires=1770549640&Signature=MNIyYXwYLwky-jfGLRv~j02rpnp8B~PkHbQpXb5GCK2nPJYvrG36dZub6H1dQwNwpaWrDzuaopr3IKwWHltBzr~buYvEGJbYpDBazguc8aOwQQlY5W29JUHqRB0hMMdLrzb0YihNA9oTvQOmt5iAiqpFSzxyZIzYLrIBmG4P4rrWESndmqd0RQnCZJot-Xi421Svln9Hm~SkEugPPDrlFl3URFxM6ydl4nJUri89a-zVJzirqJSg0EuHmUO0~jaqj82oeka6x-unt8ot2wK9QWuIhNmf6TqAktq-qvpzel4IgEkhuxiIGP4YJfsAHTho1bTyS2llZgNzH6yzb-5LIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Columbia County Board of County Commissioners approved a two-lot minor subdivision identified in staff materials as the \"Bethlehem\" project during the Sept. 18 meeting. The parcel is in Commissioner Phillips' district.

Property owner Eric Edwards testified in support, providing his address as 113 Corsica Way, Kissimmee, Florida, and said he had submitted required survey information and plats to county staff. \"I provided everything she needed for me to be able to do the locksmith so we can build on the property,\" he said during public comment.

Commissioner Phillips moved to approve the subdivision, saying the parcel met the required acreage and paperwork. The motion to approve was seconded, and the board voted \"aye.\" The public hearing was opened and closed with no speakers opposed.

The board noted that a previously scheduled public-hearing item for another replat (referred to earlier in the meeting) had been deleted from the agenda because staff determined it was not ready to be heard and would need to be re-advertised if rescheduled.

Staff indicated that the subdivision application had satisfied county review; no conditions or additional restrictions were recorded in the meeting minutes. The board provided approval at the meeting and the clerk was asked to record the action.","The board approved a two-lot minor subdivision (Bethlehem project) after a property owner confirmed required information; Commissioner Phillips, whose district contains the parcel, moved to approve.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5978127,"Columbia County adopts 2025-26 budget and 7.815 millage; funds full-time veteran service officer",425,2196000,2621000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5793398-e94f4cb958e69c905d8d539a56d47bc6&start=2196&end=2621","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5793398-e94f4cb958e69c905d8d539a56d47bc6/thumbnail_2196000.jpg","/articles/5978127/Columbia-County/Florida/Columbia-County-adopts-2025-26-budget-and-7815-millage-funds-full-time-veteran-service-officer","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5978127-d47a60c5bff33ed22a57a1f19d9c68ee/orig.mp4?Expires=1770549640&Signature=R7rEM4298YFtJh1~Fc5fch710GniSXAaqba0tvfYe9j2NswyuOnb1XMjAuTmzSbEW0mvlxU-weWAbM120mcdvSJq49VSTFJLNGTr3dgOGp0u2RB~9JKq5W-o-BgzjJNpsbeS-5VEspOjblw9fF1XhLUGnJF90tqfDCcNyTGoHpG0CnElqwUM9p9KRaLQGPCOcF58F2AqfMABXCGE1PvvClVMtHVilGS~xU141Z57U2mvX~Dazo6hyGQDx7cnNwHflZF13mAZWiDSN~XqUVbWWhC40Qai8je~pjPqnt5jZyA333UI73FaUBgnHZGF9xFQsaSOT3hZqLFd6SrMEk-yzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Columbia County Board of County Commissioners adopted the fiscal year 2025-26 budget and levied an operating millage rate of 7.815 mills at public hearings on Sept. 18, 2025. County staff read resolution 2025R-43 into the record, citing certified gross taxable value and a 6.37% increase over the rollback rate.

The board also adopted municipal service taxing unit (MSTU) millage for the Columbia County Industrial Park at 7.815 mills (resolution 2025R-44), and adopted the fiscal year 2025-26 final county budget (resolution 2025R-45) with appropriations and revenue estimates read into the record as $214,833,415. The board adopted the Columbia County Industrial Park MSTU budget (resolution 2025R-46) for $20,168.

The public hearing and subsequent vote on each resolution resulted in motions and unanimous \"aye\" approvals during the meeting; the clerk was asked to note the adoption times. The resolutions cited Florida Statute section 200.065 as the legal basis for public hearings and adoption.

During the same meeting, commissioners highlighted the creation of a permanent, full-time veteran service officer position in the adopted budget. Kelly Luker, a retired Army paratrooper, spoke during public comment about his father's service-connected death and told the board the county's veteran advocate, Ronnie Beasley, had recently helped secure retroactive VA recognition and compensation for his family after a 30-year fight. \"Ronnie Beasley is the most professional and strongest advocate for the veterans of Columbia County,\" Luker said, and urged the board to \"keep Mr. Beasley on as a permanent veteran service officer.\"

Chairmen and commissioners praised the outcome and discussed adding a flagpole at the VSO office to fly the U.S. flag after public comment; the chair indicated staff would follow up. The budget adoption and millage resolutions were presented as the final fiscal actions for the year and were adopted at the public hearings held Sept. 18, 2025.

No appeal or legal challenge was stated at the meeting; the resolutions became effective immediately upon adoption per the language read into the record.","The Columbia County Board of County Commissioners adopted the county's fiscal year 2025-26 budget and millage at public hearings and included funding for a full-time veteran service officer; a resident praised the county's advocate who helped secure retroactive VA benefits.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5978129,"Waste Pro asks county to approve phased residential rate increases; board to seek staff recommendation",1377,607000,1984000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5793398-e94f4cb958e69c905d8d539a56d47bc6&start=607&end=1984","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5793398-e94f4cb958e69c905d8d539a56d47bc6/thumbnail_607000.jpg","/articles/5978129/Columbia-County/Florida/Waste-Pro-asks-county-to-approve-phased-residential-rate-increases-board-to-seek-staff-recommendation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5978129-58aefa55aa17a42f3570e8d8a5560932/orig.mp4?Expires=1770549640&Signature=WNzFn7mmjbHVmZlSbUY3JK-CR8qrJRHeKJ4gvvjTB5q5OW~u1JuPkJgRO~3R8AcMQnN-hmRatpKa9Ujy0SuxZWmpaci9F4o9X5VXA~sgWkbkiKHRxietXWX30LNhu68tsuB2i023S86V6wwaO2c2RZSm8062lpjrTDTA4prdPQw~ZBOAvj7jHqvtXITZyP38gTL0FC8P9FMllTMv2s~v6WMS~DCO1KUpnXeBajufuKGZyys2hEyBX85oXa4b7ovrzUMOj9NO27iKwZ5C8pvG6D5F4zIV1AWs-NWdX3XM7x96rMk9FTg9JkA8y01OHtnfvr2mL2zcfF~vVe6L77se9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Waste Pro Florida asked the Columbia County Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 18 to approve phased increases to the county's residential garbage rate and opened negotiations under the contract's adjustment clause. Dana Williams, director of government affairs for Waste Pro Florida, told commissioners the company is seeking an increase from the current $9.08 per home per month to $11.02 on Oct. 1, 2025, then to $12.96 under the renewal term and to $14.89 on Oct. 1, 2027.

Williams told the board that Waste Pro's contract with the county is a fixed-price contract that began Oct. 1, 2021, and runs through Sept. 30, 2026, with renewal options. \"Our price when we start in 2021 is our price today,\" she said, and asked the board to consider a \"step up step plan\" to spread the increases over time. She said the company is invoking a contract clause allowing adjustments for \"unusual changes or costs,\" citing increases in vehicle, fuel, insurance and driver salary and benefits since 2021.

Williams described Waste Pro as a Florida-based, family-owned company operating in 61 of Florida's 67 counties and noted the company's local presence in Lake City. She presented a market comparison showing that the proposed $14.89 monthly rate in 2027 would still be lower than competitors' bids in the 2021 procurement (GFL at $18.42 and FCC at $20.39 in the 2021 comparisons shown to the board).

Board members praised Waste Pro's local service record but said the numbers require more analysis before any decision. Commissioner Murphy (board member) said on contracts of this size he could not make a decision that night and asked staff to run additional numbers. Joel (staff member) summarized the board's contract history and noted the contract language that allows negotiations for cost adjustments. He recommended referring the matter back to staff for a formal recommendation.

No vote or contract amendment was adopted at the meeting. Commissioners discussed scheduling follow-up meetings with staff and Waste Pro; Joel said staff would prepare a formal staff recommendation for the board to consider. \"If it's the pleasure of the board, refer this back to staff,\" he said.

The presentation and board discussion made clear the item remains under negotiation: Waste Pro asked for approval to proceed with phased increases but the board instead asked staff to analyze the proposal and return with a recommendation and proposed contract language detailing annual adjustments and any tether to CPI or other indices.

Next steps: staff will analyze the proposed increases, incorporate finance and procurement input, and return to the board with a recommendation and proposed contract language. No formal motion to change rates was made during the meeting.","Waste Pro Florida presented a proposed multi-step increase to the county's fixed-price residential collection rate and asked the Columbia County Board of County Commissioners to consider a phased adjustment; commissioners asked staff to return with a formal recommendation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County rolls out district-based email notifications for zoning applications

Commissioners approve two-lot Bethlehem minor subdivision in Commissioner Phillips' district

Columbia County adopts 2025-26 budget and 7.815 millage; funds full-time veteran service officer

Waste Pro asks county to approve phased residential rate increases; board to seek staff recommendation