Columbus County approves 120-day notice to end old municipal tax-collection agreements, will negotiate new terms; transfers county parcel at Chapman Park with a

Columbus County commissioners voted to issue the 120‑day notice required to end prior municipal tax‑collection agreements and directed staff to negotiate replacement terms with affected towns, and they approved a deed transferring the county’s portion of Chapman Park to West Columbus Youth Sports Group Inc. with a condition that the property revert to the county if it is unused for a year (except for force‑majeure circumstances).

The actions came during a meeting that drew extended public comment about the county’s January decision to move from a flat $3 per parcel collection fee to a percentage fee (4% of collections). Municipal leaders and residents warned the change could sharply increase municipal costs and urged commissioners to renegotiate before terminating existing interlocal agreements.

Why it matters: The tax‑collection change affects multiple small towns that rely on the county to bill and collect municipal levies. Commissioners said county collections have been operating at a loss and that a new fee structure is intended to cover actual costs; municipal officials argue the proposed 4% would be unaffordable for some jurisdictions and asked for caps or alternate approaches.

Tax‑collection debate and public comment

Public commenters presented details that framed the board’s discussion. Darren Curry (representing the City of Whitehall) read an interlocal agreement he said requires a resolution and 120‑day notice to withdraw from county collection; he said the city paid $12,375 last fiscal year under the $3‑per‑parcel arrangement and that shifting to 4% would raise the city’s annual bill to about $120,000, a figure he described as an approximate 942% increase. Jason Ellerbe, identified in the record as mayor of the town of Brunswick, also submitted written concerns about fiscal impacts on municipalities.

Other commenters, including Josh Ward and Terry Mann, urged the…