Consultant outlines methodology for Columbia County fire and solid-waste assessments; no rates set

Stantec Consulting Services presented the county’s fire and solid-waste assessment update, explaining methodology and statutory constraints and noting that the presentation was informational—no rates were set at the meeting.

Jeff Rackley, representing Stantec Consulting Services, told the Columbia County Board of Commissioners that the firm updated underlying data for both the fire and solid-waste assessment programs and that the methodology would remain consistent with prior studies. He described non-ad valorem assessments as revenues based on the special benefit to property—rather than property value—and said funds collected must be used for the stated purpose (fire services or solid waste) and cannot be transferred to general county operations.

Rackley outlined two legal requirements for assessments: (1) they must confer a special benefit to the assessed properties and (2) the allocation method must be fair, reasonable and supported by data relevant to the service provided. He noted typical exclusions (for example, submerged lands) and said methodologies usually rely on measures such as service calls, unit counts, or other proxies tied to benefit.

Board members were briefed that today’s presentation is intended to inform discussion; staff will return in July with a preliminary rate resolution setting the maximum allowable assessments and later include final rates in the budget process. The board did not set rates at this meeting and instead opened the record for questions and potential adjustments to the proposed methodology before the preliminary rate resolution.