Columbia County approves consent agenda covering sheriff vehicle upgrade, large dwelling variance and multiple utility contracts

Columbia County commissioners met in a morning session called at 08:41 and approved a consent agenda that included a vehicle upgrade for the sheriff’s office, a large ancillary‑dwelling variance and a string of water‑utility and engineering contracts and easement dedications.

The board approved changing an earlier authorization for two 2‑wheel‑drive sheriff trucks to 4‑wheel‑drive models after the sheriff requested the upgrade. County staff reported the swap increases cost by about $9,120.50; the 2‑wheel vehicles had been returned and staff said there was no additional shipping cost. The request was presented by Mr. Schlachter and approved by motion on consent.

The board also approved an ancillary‑dwelling variance for 140 Wild Turkey Trail. Staff said the applicant is seeking to build a 6,173‑square‑foot structure on just over 19 acres; county rules require board review for living spaces larger than 1,800 square feet. Staff recommended approval and the commission approved the variance by consent.

Multiple water‑utility and engineering items were approved under the same consent procedure. Highlights include: - Change Order No. 2 for the Harlem Oochee Creek 18‑inch sewer interceptor: staff reported additional demolition, pipe replacement, pump rentals and manhole work will increase cost by roughly $100,850.50 and add 21 calendar days to the project schedule; staff recommended approval. - A low bid of $1,157,100.46 for a new looped driveway adjacent to the Jim Blanchard Water Treatment Plant, for which $2,000,000 had been budgeted. - Replacement stock of smart‑point meters, budgeted at $162,345 to be paid from capital funds in the meter department. - A low bid of $99,162 from RCM Utilities for structural repairs and coating on 14 sewer manholes, paid from the conveyance capital project. - A three‑year maintenance agreement with Yancey Power Systems to maintain generators 500 kW and larger, quoted at $132,338.15 across three line codes. - An easement for Georgia Power to install a transformer and underground power at a Carroll Drive lift station; consideration listed as $10 and staff noted the form is standard.

Engineering staff also brought several acceptance and dedication items on consent: dedication of about 125 linear feet of private gravity sewer to make the Vaughn Road sewer system public (for Elite Learning Academy); acceptance of a remnant right‑of‑way in Whispering Pines Subdivision (about 125 feet at the end of Treetop Trail); and acceptance of road, water, sanitary sewer, storm systems, detention ponds and associated easements for Tillery Park Area 7 off Baker Place Road. Staff recommended approval for each and the board approved each item by motion on consent.

The meeting record shows these items were presented by county staff and moved to consent; there were no roll‑call tallies in the transcript, and the motions were carried by voice. The chair closed the consent portion of the agenda and the meeting proceeded to staff reports.