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Columbia County commissioners approve grants, personnel renewals, zoning waivers, and easements
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Summary
At its Dec. 16 meeting the Columbia County Board of Commissioners approved multiple motions: acceptance of two grants (BJA Adult Drug Court and a CY2026 ARPA judicial grant), restructuring of fire-dispatch positions, a major PUD revision for a proposed Chick-fil-A, a waiver of distance for grocery-store alcohol sales (25,000+ sq ft), Resolution 25-46 to seek state authorization for local homestead tax relief grants, several easements and right-of-way payments, and personnel contract renewals and a temporary deputy marshal promotion.
The Columbia County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 16 approved a slate of routine and project-related actions, including grant acceptances, personnel contract renewals and multiple land-right approvals.
Grants and court funding: Commissioners approved acceptance of a BJA Adult Drug Court discretionary grant (staff described it as a CJCC discretionary grant) and a CY2026 ARPA grant of $52,177 for the judicial circuit, which staff said is intended to help reduce any case backlog.
Public safety staffing: The board approved restructuring for fire services dispatch that creates a dispatch manager role, promotes four communications officers to senior radio operators and adds three communications officers. Staff cited rising call volumes (over 9,300 calls in 2023; more than 20,000 in 2024; over 15,400 in 2025 to date) and estimated a half-year budget impact of $195,689 to be covered by existing fire services funds and salary savings.
Land use and liquor-distance waiver: The board approved a major PUD revision to reduce setbacks to 80 feet along Washington Road for a proposed Chick-fil-A drive-through canopy, and separately approved a waiver of distance requirements under the county's Code of Ordinances Chapter 6 to allow a qualifying grocery store (25,000 square feet or larger) on parcel 05002E to seek beer and wine sales; staff emphasized the waiver does not automatically grant an alcohol license and cited state law limits on grocery-store liquor sales.
Resolution to legislative delegation: The board adopted Resolution 25-46 asking Columbia County's legislative delegation and the Georgia General Assembly to authorize local governments to provide direct homestead tax relief grants funded by new commercial tax revenue. Staff read the resolution on the record and commissioners voted to adopt it.
Right-of-way and easements: Commissioners accepted temporary and permanent easement donations needed for the Horizon South Parkway/Chamblin Road connector and the Oocher Creek Force Main sewer project, and approved settlement payments tied to right-of-way acquisitions (e.g., $72,532 to the Village HOA and $30,000 to a property owner for Hereford Farm Road widening).
Personnel and contracts: The board approved annual renewals of multiple executive leadership contracts with no salary increases, and approved allowing Deputy Marshal Richard Bridal to serve as temporary chief marshal at an annualized salary of $63,648 retroactive to Nov. 1, 2025.
The meeting concluded with youth leadership recognition and adjournment. Most votes were taken by voice/hand; roll-call tallies were not recorded in the meeting transcript.
