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Commissioners approve interlocal to buy old TD Bank building for tax collector
Summary
The Columbia County Board approved an interlocal agreement to enable the tax collector to acquire the former TD Bank building. The board amended the agreement to a 15‑year term and capped county‑funded acquisition and renovation at $2,000,000, drawing funds from cash reserves.
The Columbia County Board of County Commissioners voted on Feb. 20 to authorize an interlocal agreement enabling the county to advance funds so the tax collector’s office can acquire the former TD Bank building downtown.
Kyle King, the county tax collector, told commissioners the 7,800‑square‑foot building would relieve overcrowding at his current office, add drive‑through capability and increase parking. King said the asking price was about $795,000–$800,000 and that construction and parking improvements would be budgeted after competitive quotes. "This building checks all of our boxes that we've been looking for," King said in his presentation.
Board action and terms: commissioners amended the draft interlocal before voting to (1) extend the term from six to 15 years, (2) set an aggregate county commitment of $2,000,000 (acquisition plus renovation), and (3) draw the funds from county cash reserves. The motion passed by voice vote. Staff said King’s office will competitively bid renovation work (estimated 60–90 days to solicit and evaluate bids) and return with hard numbers for the fiscal‑year budget process.
Why it matters: commissioners said the acquisition would solve long‑standing parking and space shortages in the tax collector’s office and could free up county‑owned space now used for leased functions. Several commissioners asked for a firm cap and preferred amortization terms that keep the county’s reserves intact.
Procurement and schedule: King said closing could occur within 30 days after board approval; remodeling procurement and work would follow with a plan to present cost estimates during the next budget cycle. Staff counsel said sections of the interlocal (3.6 and 3.7 in the draft) were amended to reflect the adoption of the aggregate cap and term change.
Next steps: the tax collector’s office will proceed with acquisition under the approved terms, run competitive procurement for remodel and parking work, and return with detailed cost estimates for budget approval.
