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Columbia County approves temporary transfer of parks fee revenue to general fund for 2025 and 2026
Summary
The Board of Commissioners adopted Ordinance 2025-2 to amend the Columbia County Forest Parks and Recreation Ordinance, authorizing a one-time transfer of $464,000 in FY2025 and $452,000 in FY2026 from parks fee proceeds to the general fund; the ordinance includes an emergency clause to make the 2025 transfer effective upon adoption.
Columbia County commissioners voted May 14 to adopt Ordinance 2025-2, amending the Columbia County Forest, Parks and Recreation Ordinance to allow limited transfers of parks fee proceeds to the general fund for fiscal years 2025 and 2026.
County counsel summarized the proposal: "The proposed amendment provides that for fiscal year 2025, proceeds in the amount of $464,000 will be transferred to the general fund. And then in fiscal year 2026, fees in the amount of $452,000 are proposed to transfer to the general fund," the counsel said, adding the amendment includes an emergency clause so the 2025 transfer becomes effective immediately upon adoption instead of after a 90-day waiting period.
Commissioners discussed the temporary nature of the change and whether the parks fund could be replenished if an alternative budget solution is found. County counsel and the finance director Pam Smith said the ordinance could be amended later if the board chooses and that finance staff will update the board on budget status through the fiscal year.
"This is kicking a can down a very short road and is detrimental to our parks program," one commissioner said during debate, urging the board to seek a long-term solution. Despite concerns, a motion to approve the ordinance passed with a second and unanimous voice vote.
The ordinance amends provisions of the county's parks-funding rules established under the existing ordinance (originally Ordinance 94-9) to allow the specified transfers for the two fiscal years. No further budget line-item changes were adopted at the meeting; the action authorizes the transfer and permits future amendment if the board adopts an alternative budget plan.
