Commissioners authorize payments, condemnations for Hereford Farm Road widening project

The Columbia County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 5 approved several right-of-way payments and passed resolutions declaring takings by condemnation for parcels needed for the Hereford Farm Road widening, paving and realignment project. Vice Chair Couch moved to approve specific offers to property owners to obtain rights of way and easements, including $24,900 to Ginger Webb (Parcel 072162 H), $33,300 to John Davis (Parcel 072 J 061), $14,600 to Melissa and Arianna Reese (Parcel 072 J 186) and $17,500 to Adrian Velez (Parcel 072241). Later motions approved additional offers including $20,000 to GVS Holdings LLC and $30,000 to Leila and Raymond Cheney for partial parcels. The board also approved resolution 25-24, resolution 25-23 and resolution 25-25, each declaring a taking by condemnation for portions of identified tax maps to allow the road project to proceed. County staff reported these standard acquisitions reduced the number of outstanding parcels remaining in the acquisition process; transcript remarks noted counts declining from 52 to 47 remaining as several agreements were authorized. All listed payments and condemnation orders were approved by voice votes during the meeting.