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Columbia County commissioners adopt $104 million balanced budget for fiscal 2025–26
Summary
The Columbia County Board of Commissioners approved Resolution 25-13 to adopt an all-funds budget for fiscal year 2025–26, a roughly 3% increase from the prior year that adds 12 net positions and preserves contingency while planning a future property-tax rollback.
Columbia County commissioners on Tuesday approved Resolution 25-13, adopting an all-funds budget for fiscal year 2025–26 that county staff described as balanced and conservative.
County staff said the budget totals about $104 million and carries a healthy contingency while planning for a future property-tax rollback. "We do have a balanced budget presented to you tonight, with a healthy contingency," a county staff presenter said during the meeting. The budget was adopted by voice vote after a motion from Commissioner Malyre and a second.
Why it matters: The budget sets operating and capital priorities for the coming year, funds county services and staffing, and lays groundwork for a tax rollback the board intends to set later this year. County staff told the board they built the budget around the expectation that property taxes will be lowered when the commissioners set the rollback.
The most important facts: County staff said the budget is roughly 3% higher overall than last year while the general fund spending is effectively held down by conservative revenue estimates. The plan includes 12 new positions in the general fund, several reclassifications and targeted pay adjustments (including items raised by judges and the coroner), and a reduced capital request compared with the prior year. Sales tax collections were cited as a strong revenue source for the county.
Board discussion and votes: Commissioner Malyre moved to adopt Resolution 25-13; a second was recorded and the motion carried. County presenters noted that the budget process began months earlier, in which department directors and elected officials constrained requests to help produce a balanced plan given uncertainty after recent storm impacts.
What was not decided: The board did not set the tax rollback rate during the meeting; staff said that decision will come at a later date and that the current budget is structured to accommodate that rollback when the board acts.
Background and context: Commissioners and staff referenced recovery from a recent storm as a reason for conservative budgeting. One board member noted that the county’s budget and workforce have grown over 17 years, including bringing fire services in-house, but said the board has kept growth measured. The county manager and staff offered to take follow-up questions from commissioners about details in department budgets.
Looking ahead: With the budget adopted, county departments proceed under the approved spending plan; the board will return later to set a property-tax rollback and any other adjustments arising from continued revenue monitoring.
