Columbia County commissioners adopted the county''s fiscal year 2025''6 budget on June 25, 2025, approving Resolution 32-2025 that also includes the appropriation of ad valorem taxes.

A commissioner who said they had voted against the proposal in the county budget committee told the board they intended to oppose adoption again but changed their floor vote because only two of three commissioners were present and failing to adopt the budget would place the county in violation of state budget law. "I voted no in our budget committee meetings ... I had no intention on voting yes today," the commissioner said, adding that they would change their vote "out of respect for Commissioner McGruder and the county."

The same commissioner listed specific concerns that influenced their committee vote: the proposed budget shows "0 contingency, 0 reserve," an approximately $1 million shortfall in last year''s forecasts, and what the speaker said was taking "at least a million or more out of other dedicated funds to balance." The commissioner also noted the budget includes 17 furlough days for staff.

County staff presented the resolution as part of the consent agenda. A motion to approve the consent agenda carried on voice votes recorded in the meeting; the board then moved on to agreements and other business. The transcript records multiple "Aye" responses, after which the chair confirmed approval.

Why this matters: county budgets establish service levels and staff pay, and contingency and reserves are standard fiscal tools counties use to manage unexpected costs. The commissioner urged faster follow-up actions to restore a sustainable budget and reserves.

What the board said and next steps: the commissioner who changed their vote urged the board to "be more responsible and find a way to head down a path that is more responsible." The transcript does not record a formal timeline or specific actions assigned to restore contingency or replenish reserves; the resolution was adopted and the county is now operating under the newly adopted fiscal year 2025-26 budget.

Details extracted from the meeting record: Resolution 32-2025 (adoption of the Columbia County budget for fiscal year 02/2026 and the appropriation of ad valorem taxes) was listed on the consent agenda and approved; the meeting transcript records an on-the-record statement of dissent from a commissioner and the commissioner's explanation for changing their vote to avoid legal noncompliance.