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Columbus County commissioners approve bonds, signatory resolution, audit extension and budget changes
Summary
The board approved employee bonds, granted signatory authority, extended the auditor contract due to LGC deadline changes, and approved budget amendments and position-count adjustments including freezing a bailiff position.
The Columbus County Board of Commissioners approved a set of routine financial and administrative measures, including bonding for key county officials, a signatory resolution for the new chair and vice chair, a time-only extension of the audit contract, and several budget and position-count adjustments.
The board approved bonding for multiple county officials by a single motion: Finance Director Heather Woody ($1,000,000); Deputy Finance Director Melanie Hester ($50,000); Sheriff William "Bill" Rogers ($25,000); Tax Administrator Needham Hughes ($25,000); Deputy Tax Administrator Renee Lashley ($25,000); Public Housing Director Rachel H. Tyson ($25,000); Register of Deeds Candice Bullock ($10,000).
Finance Director Heather Woody requested approval of a signatory resolution for the chairman and vice chairman so they may be recognized signatories for county business; the board approved the resolution by voice vote. Woody also asked the board to approve a time-only contract extension with auditors Malden and Jenkins for the FY24–25 audit after the Local Government Commission (LGC) extended the certification deadline to Feb. 16 because of a federal government shutdown that delayed certifications auditors need to complete their work. Woody stated there was "no change in dollars, just time" for the extension.
On personnel and budget matters, the board approved a budget amendment including a $7,327 insurance payment for parks and several requisitions (generator services for the water department; two new fire hydrants for the sheriff). The board also approved changes to position counts: reducing the detention center from 56 to 55 employees and reducing finance positions from 13 to 12 while converting a position to an internal auditor. Separately, the sheriff requested approval to freeze a bailiff position and reallocate funds for salary adjustments; Captain Creech answered questions and the motion passed.
All motions were approved by voice vote unless otherwise recorded. The board directed staff to update signatory records and post notifications as needed.
