Columbus County commissioners approve airport rename, set hearings on RV rules and duplex project, and OK finance contracts

Columbus County commissioners voted unanimously to rename the county airport, set public hearings on a new RV/travel-trailer ordinance and a special-use permit for an eight-duplex development, and approved several finance contracts and budget amendments during their meeting.

The actions reflect a mix of land‑use, infrastructure and routine finance decisions: a resolution to change the airport name to “Columbus County Regional Airport”; establishment of public hearing dates for a draft RV ordinance and for a special‑use permit for a proposed multifamily duplex community; approval of an engagement letter for REAC submission services for the county housing authority; continuation of an audit/consulting contract; and the first reading of a new budget‑amendment process policy along with multiple budget amendments.

Votes at a glance - Airport rename (resolution): Motion by Commissioner Byrd; seconded by Commissioner Bullard; outcome: approved (voice vote: “Aye”). - RV/travel‑trailer ordinance (establish public hearing): Mover: Scott Floyd; second: Barbara Featherson; outcome: motion passed to schedule a public hearing March 3 at 6:30 p.m. - Special‑use permit for duplex apartment community (establish public hearing): Mover: Commissioner Smith; second: Barbara Featherson; outcome: motion passed to schedule a public hearing (scheduled March 3, 6:30 p.m., or soon thereafter). - Mullins & Jenkins engagement letter — REAC submission services for the housing authority (fee: $7,500; budgeted in HUD account): Mover: Mr. Watkins; second: (as stated in record); outcome: approved. - Contract continuation with Ryan Miller (audit/consulting): term continuation approved; scaled not‑to‑exceed amounts listed in the meeting packet for FY2025–FY2028: $45,000; $46,000; $48,000; $50,000 (respectively); motion and second on record; outcome: approved. - First reading, Budget Amendment Process Policy: presented by finance staff; motion and second recorded; outcome: first reading approved to move forward. - Multiple budget amendments and vendor purchase approvals: presented and approved by voice vote; outcome: motion passed. - Appointments and reappointments to boards and committees (multiple seats including board of adjustments and hospital board seat changes): outcome: approved.

Airport rename and history Mister Evans, identified in the meeting as the presenter on the airport item, described the facility’s evolution since county ownership roughly 35 years ago and said upgrades include an extended runway, a parallel taxiway, runway lighting and construction beginning on a new terminal. “We feel like we've come a long way, and we need to let it be not a municipal anymore, but a regional airport,” Evans said. Commissioners approved the resolution to change the facility’s name to Columbus County Regional Airport.

RV ordinance public hearing set Planning‑related staff presented a draft ordinance limiting stand‑alone, permanently occupied RVs outside licensed RV parks. The planning presenter said surrounding counties generally require long‑term RV residents to be located in managed RV parks, because many RVs are not built to wind‑zone standards and are not tied down for severe storms. Commissioners set a public hearing and will return for the ordinance’s required readings.

Duplex project public hearing and notice requirement Planning staff described an application for roughly eight duplex structures (up to 16 dwelling units) sited near an existing spray field. The presenter said measurements show the nearest rear yard will be about 600 feet from where spraying currently stops — beyond the 500‑foot setback that the presenter described as required by state law. Commissioners approved scheduling a public hearing; staff said any special‑use permit would include deed‑recorded language notifying future buyers or tenants that no legal action may be taken against the spray‑field owner or operator for intermittent odors connected with spraying operations.

Finance and budget items Finance staff said the Mullins & Jenkins engagement for REAC/HUD portal submissions is budgeted within the housing authority’s HUD account and carries a $7,500 fee. The board also approved a multi‑year continuation for Ryan Miller (audit/consulting), with not‑to‑exceed amounts listed for each year in the packet. Finance described three operational budget amendments totaling a net reduction in one set of operations and supplemental revenue adjustments elsewhere; staff explained one revenue change reflects more confident interest revenue projections versus property tax. Commissioners approved a list of after‑the‑fact purchase orders for vendor payments and were cautioned that approving them does not negate any finding that could arise from not following purchase procedures.

Meeting context and next steps Several items set public hearings for the March 3 meeting beginning at 6:30 p.m. The planning‑board items will return for public comment and the required readings before the board takes final action. Other approvals — such as contract continuations and REAC submission services — were routine authorizations recorded in the meeting packet. No litigation or external approvals were described as conditions for the listed contract approvals.

Ending Commissioners recessed into a separate Columbus County Water and Sewer District meeting later in the agenda and reconvened to finish commissioner comments before adjourning.