Columbia County sets proposed millage, backs emergency grant application and expands opioid-funded paramedicine program

Columbia County commissioners on a special-called meeting voted to set the county's proposed maximum millage rate at 7.815 mills, authorized staff to submit an emergency infrastructure grant application to support a prospective steel manufacturer's rail needs, and approved expansion of a community paramedicine program funded by opioid settlement dollars.

The proposed millage sets the ceiling for the 2025-26 budget process; the board will hold public hearings in September before adopting a final rate. Commissioners voted by voice to adopt the proposed maximum of 7.815 mills after a lengthy budget discussion about rising costs for insurance, utilities, retirement and capital projects.

The county's finance discussion was framed by staff estimates that recent revenue growth is outpaced by operating cost increases. "The growth in our revenues is less than the growth in our operational costs," said Mister Powell, who has estimated Columbia County revenues for years. County staff said returning the millage to the county's traditional level (8.015 mills) would add roughly $900,000 in ad valorem revenue; staff provided a baseline figure showing ad valorem collections at the current rate total $36,599,153.

Commissioners also voted to authorize staff to submit an emergency grant application to support a rail project tied to a potential steel manufacturer considering Columbia…