Columbia County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Columbia County boards review millage rate, rezonings, and renovation contract

Columbia County government met last week to review a range of agenda items, including the 2026 property tax millage rate, a renovation contract, and several rezonings. Because minutes have not yet been published, no decisions are confirmed. The agendas are summarized below.

Board of Commission (Aug. 18)

The Board of Commissioners agenda included Resolution 26-17 to set the 2026 millage rate for ad valorem taxes. The board also considered two rezoning requests: RZ26-08-01, a conditional use for a therapeutic massage business at 4490 Washington Road, and RZ26-08-04, a rezoning of 14.1 acres at 325 McCormick Road to Planned Residential Development. The consent agenda included the award of bid #2025013-BID03289 to S.D. Clifton Construction for the Pollard House renovation, plus easement encroachment agreements at 828 Lillian Park Drive and 1222 Arcilla Pointe.

Management and Internal Services (Aug. 11)

The Management and Internal Services Committee agenda included the same Pollard House renovation bid, a Retirement Bridge Program spousal coverage and dental option revision, an independent contractor agreement with Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services, LLC, a Cisco equipment lifecycle purchase from DISYS for water utility sites and the Sheriff's Office, and a reimbursement to GEMA/FEMA for Helene Project Number 806591.

Development and Engineering Services (Aug. 11)

The Development and Engineering Services Committee agenda included the purchase of a Takeuchi mini excavator for facility maintenance, position reclassifications in Building Standards, and two easement encroachment agreements at 828 Lillian Park Drive and 1222 Arcilla Pointe. The committee also received a report on temporary event alcohol permits.

Planning Commission (Aug. 20)

The Planning Commission held a public hearing and debate agenda that included a postponed rezoning (RZ26-07-03) for 2.54 acres at 5594 Harlem Grovetown Road, two massage operator's licenses (one for Vannesa Newsome dba Gifted Touch Therapeutic Massage and one for Sarah Katelin Horst dba Massage Therapy by Kate), a variance (VA26-08-07) at 266 Fairfax Street, and a major PUD revision (RZ26-08-08) at 779 Bishops Circle.

Coming up

Two committees meet on Aug. 25. The Public Works and Engineering Services Committee will consider vehicle purchases (a bucket truck for traffic engineering, a dump truck for stormwater, and two Chevrolet Tahoes for the Fire Department), a change order for the Clarks Hill WTP Hypochlorite System Improvements, and hold a public hearing on the proposed abandonment and sale of a portion of Morris Callaway Road. The Community and Emergency Services Committee will consider animal services donations, a Christmas lighting services agreement with Megah, LLC, and receive fire response and budget reports.

Columbia County Board of Assessors approves property appeals; county board to set millage rate

The Columbia County Board of Assessors approved a large batch of property tax appeals, corrections, and reviews for tax years 2023–2026 at its Aug. 4 meeting. The board also voted to send a 30-day intent-to-breach letter on one conservation covenant parcel and tabled another for more information. The minutes are a draft and will be officially approved on September 1, 2026.

Board of Assessors

The board unanimously approved the minutes of its July 7, 2026 meeting. It then approved staff recommendations on:

• 2024–2026 personal property corrections and decision letters
• 2023–2025 personal property reviews and decision letters
• 2026 motor vehicle appeals with value change and decision letters
• 2026 commercial property appeals (both no-change and value-change) and decision letters
• 2023–2026 residential property corrections, deed corrections, mapping corrections, and Deerwood Subdivision corrections
• 2026 residential appeals (both no-change and value-change) and homestead exemption applications

The board also approved sending a 30-day intent-to-breach letter on parcel 017-032C and tabled parcel 010-047A for more information.

Board of Commission (agenda only)

The Board of Commissioners met Aug. 4 but minutes have not yet been published. The agenda included a variance request for 228 Applecross Drive (VA26-07-02), a contract with Coleman Construction, Inc. for emergency back-up generators, a contract with Duckworth Development for renovation of Building G1 - Department of Revenue, the purchase of 40 Scott XD Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus and 30 cylinders from American Safety and Firehouse, and a supplemental agreement with GDOT for the Washington Rd Widening Project (PI# 0021250).

Planning Commission (agenda only)

The Planning Commission held a public hearing Aug. 6 on 11 items, including a massage operator's license for The Margie Method LLC at 4408 Columbia Rd Suite 106, a final plat for Hamilton Grove Phase 1 (10 lots on 27.57 acres off Hamilton Road), and three rezonings: RZ26-08-01 (2.82 acres at 4490 Washington Road from C-2 to conditional use for therapeutic massage), RZ26-08-02 (2.5 acres at 250 Legion Drive from R-2 to S-1 Special), and RZ26-08-05 (30.97 acres off Gordon Hwy from M-1 to M-2 Heavy Industrial). Minutes are not yet published.

Development and Engineering Services (agenda only)

This committee met Aug. 11 and considered the purchase of a Takeuchi Mini Excavator for facility maintenance, position reclassifications in Building Standards, and two easement encroachment agreements (at 828 Lillian Park Drive, Tax Map 067 Parcel 2563, and at 1222 Arcilla Pointe, Tax Map 082 Parcel 444). It also received a Temporary Event Alcohol Permits report. Minutes are not yet published.

Management and Internal Services (agenda only)

Also on Aug. 11, this committee considered awarding Bid # 2025013-BID03289 to S.D. Clifton Construction for Pollard House Renovation, retirement plan revisions (Retirement Bridge Program Spousal Coverage and Dental Option Revision), an independent contractor agreement with Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services, LLC, a Cisco Equipment Lifecycle Purchase from DISYS for Water Utility Sites and Sheriff's Office, and reimbursement to GEMA/FEMA for Helene Project Number 806591. Minutes are not yet published.

Coming up

• **Board of Commission** – Aug. 18, 2026: The board will set the 2026 millage rate (Resolution 26-17) and vote on several rezonings, including a conditional use for therapeutic massage at 4490 Washington Road (RZ26-08-01) and a rezoning of 14.1 acres at 325 McCormick Road to Planned Residential Development (RZ26-08-04). The consent agenda includes the Pollard House renovation award and two easement encroachment agreements.
• **Planning Commission** – Aug. 20, 2026: The commission will hold a public hearing on a postponed rezoning (RZ26-07-03, 5594 Harlem Grovetown Road, 2.54 acres), two massage operator's licenses, a variance at 266 Fairfax Street, and a major PUD revision at 779 Bishops Circle.

Columbia County roundup: Assessors approve property appeals; committees weigh equipment purchases

The most consequential action in the past two weeks came from the Columbia County Board of Assessors, which approved a large batch of property appeals, corrections, and reviews for tax years 2023 through 2026. The board also voted to send a 30-day intent-to-breach letter on one conservation covenant parcel and tabled another for more information. The minutes are a draft and will be officially approved on September 1, 2026.

Board of Assessors

At its August 4 meeting, the board unanimously approved the minutes of its July 7 meeting. It then approved staff recommendations on:

• 2024–2026 personal property corrections and decision letters
• 2023–2025 personal property reviews and decision letters
• 2026 motor vehicle appeals with value changes and decision letters
• 2026 commercial property appeals (both no-change and value-change) and decision letters
• 2023–2026 residential property corrections, deed corrections, mapping corrections, and Deerwood Subdivision corrections
• 2026 residential appeals (both no-change and value-change) and homestead exemption applications

The board also approved sending a 30-day intent-to-breach letter on parcel 017-032C and tabled parcel 010-047A for more information.

Other recent meetings

Several other bodies met in the past two weeks, but their minutes have not yet been published, so no decisions are confirmed.

Community and Emergency Services Committee (July 28) – The agenda included purchasing 40 Scott XD Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus and 30 cylinders from American Safety and Firehouse, ProtectIR and XplorIR Bundles from 908 Devices for the Hazardous Materials Response Team, a Motorola P25 AIS 911 Recording System Agreement with Replay Systems, Inc., a service agreement with the Augusta Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and an independent contractor agreement with Telemedicine Group for HeartStart+ Cardiovascular & Metabolic Screening.

Public Works and Engineering Services Committee (July 28) – The agenda included awarding Bid #2026021-BID3289 to Coleman Construction Inc. for county emergency backup generators, awarding Bid #2026020-BID3289 to Duckworth Development for renovation of Building G1 (Department of Revenue), an emergency purchase from Augusta Chiller Services Inc. for boiler replacement at Patriots Park Gym, an independent contractor agreement with Bluewater Engineering Services LLC for the Sawdust Rd to Old Louisville Rd 12" waterline project inspections, and Supplemental Agreement Number 1 with GDOT for the Washington Rd Widening Project (PI#0021250).

Board of Commissioners (August 4) – The agenda included a variance request for 228 Applecross Drive (VA26-07-02), contracts with Coleman Construction and Duckworth Development (as above), the purchase of the Scott XD breathing apparatus, and the GDOT supplemental agreement.

Planning Commission (August 6) – The agenda included a public hearing on 11 items, including a massage operator's license for The Margie Method LLC at 4408 Columbia Rd Suite 106, a final plat for Hamilton Grove Phase 1 (10 lots on 27.57 acres off Hamilton Road), and three rezonings: RZ26-08-01 (2.82 acres at 4490 Washington Road from C-2 to conditional use for therapeutic massage), RZ26-08-02 (2.5 acres at 250 Legion Drive from R-2 to S-1 Special), and RZ26-08-05 (30.97 acres off Gordon Hwy from M-1 to M-2 Heavy Industrial).

Coming up

Two committees meet on Tuesday, August 11:

• **Development and Engineering Services** – Will vote on purchasing a Takeuchi Mini Excavator for facility maintenance, position reclassifications in Building Standards, and two easement encroachment agreements (828 Lillian Park Drive, Tax Map 067 Parcel 2563, and 1222 Arcilla Pointe, Tax Map 082 Parcel 444). Also receives a temporary event alcohol permits report.
• **Management and Internal Services** – Will vote on awarding Bid #2025013-BID03289 to S.D. Clifton Construction for Pollard House Renovation, retirement plan changes (spousal coverage and dental option revision), an independent contractor agreement with Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services, LLC, a Cisco equipment lifecycle purchase from DISYS for water utility sites and the Sheriff's Office, and reimbursement to GEMA/FEMA for Helene Project Number 806591.

Both meetings are open to the public. Public comments at the Development and Engineering Services meeting are limited to five minutes per speaker.

Columbia County boards weigh infrastructure contracts, zoning cases, and emergency equipment purchases

Columbia County's recent committee meetings laid out a slate of contracts, equipment purchases, and zoning matters for the Board of Commissioners to act on, though minutes from those sessions have not yet been published. Several of the same items — including emergency backup generators, a building renovation, and breathing apparatus for firefighters — appear on the Aug. 4 Board of Commissioners agenda, where formal votes are scheduled.

Board of Commissioners (July 21)

The Board of Commissioners met July 21 with a consent agenda covering service agreements and funding requests. Items listed for consideration included a service agreement with the Izzy Scott Foundation, funding for plumbing fixture replacement at the Sheriff's Office, and a resolution to abandon and sell a portion of Morris Callaway Road.

The debate agenda included a major Planned Unit Development revision at 500 Furys Ferry Road and a change of conditions for 4800 Columbia Road. Minutes have not yet been published, so outcomes are not yet confirmed.

Community and Emergency Services Committee (July 28)

The committee reviewed several equipment purchases and service agreements for fire and emergency services. Listed items included the purchase of 40 Scott XD Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus and 30 cylinders from American Safety and Firehouse, and ProtectIR and XplorIR bundles from 908 Devices for the Hazardous Materials Response Team.

The committee also reviewed a Motorola P25 AIS 911 Recording System agreement with Replay Systems, Inc., a service agreement with the Augusta Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, and an independent contractor agreement with Telemedicine Group for HeartStart+ Cardiovascular & Metabolic Screening. Minutes are not yet published.

Public Works and Engineering Services Committee (July 28)

The committee considered multiple contract awards and purchases. Items included awarding Bid #2026021-BID3289 to Coleman Construction Inc. for county emergency backup generators, and Bid #2026020-BID3289 to Duckworth Development for renovation of Building G1, which houses the Department of Revenue.

Other items were an emergency purchase from Augusta Chiller Services Inc. for boiler replacement at Patriots Park Gym, an independent contractor agreement with Bluewater Engineering Services LLC for inspections on the Sawdust Rd to Old Louisville Rd 12-inch waterline project, and Supplemental Agreement Number 1 with GDOT for the Washington Rd Widening Project (PI#0021250). Minutes are not yet published.

Coming up

• **Board of Assessors — Aug. 4:** Review of 2026 personal property, commercial, and residential appeals; homestead exemption applications; revaluation updates; 2023–2026 residential property corrections; and Superior Court updates.
• **Board of Commissioners — Aug. 4:** Variance request for 228 Applecross Drive (VA26-07-02), plus contracts for emergency backup generators (Coleman Construction), Building G1 renovation (Duckworth Development), 40 Scott XD breathing apparatus, and the GDOT supplemental agreement for the Washington Rd Widening Project.
• **Planning Commission — Aug. 6:** Public hearing on 11 items, including a massage operator's license for The Margie Method LLC at 4408 Columbia Rd Suite 106, a final plat for Hamilton Grove Phase 1 (10 lots on 27.57 acres off Hamilton Road), and rezonings including 30.97 acres off Gordon Hwy from M-1 to M-2 (Heavy Industrial).

County committees weighed contracts, road projects, and zoning changes in mid-July

Columbia County's committees and boards covered a wide range of business in mid-July, from a multi-year Microsoft software agreement to plumbing repairs at the detention center and a proposed road abandonment. Minutes have not yet been published for any of the recent meetings, so outcomes of votes listed on the agendas are not yet confirmed in the public record.

Management and Internal Services Committee (July 14)

The committee's agenda included a Microsoft Enterprise Agreement covering 2026 through 2029 and an implementation of a Cisco Security Suite. Also listed was funding for plumbing fixture replacement at the Sheriff's Office Detention Center.

Additional agenda items covered an Independent Contractor Agreement with WSP USA for inspections at Evans Towne Center Park and Racquet Center, and a Lighting Services Agreement with Georgia Power for the Evans Towne Center Park Ice Rink and Parking Lot. The agenda noted approval of previous meeting minutes and a consent agenda for routine matters.

Development and Engineering Services Committee (July 14)

The committee was scheduled to consider purchasing stream and wetland mitigation credits from the Phinizy Swamp and Yam Grandy Mitigation Banks for the Hereford Farm Road widening project (PI# 0012865).

Resolution 26-16, to abandon and sell a portion of Morris Callaway Road, was on the agenda, along with acceptance of the 2026 LMIG Safety Action Plan Grant. The committee also planned to review an alcoholic beverage license application for Mendoza's Mexican Grill LLC and easement encroachment agreements for 801 Prairie Lane and 3104 Wildflower Court.

Planning Commission (July 16)

The Planning Commission agenda included a rezoning request, RZ26-07-03, to rezone 2.54 +/- acres at 5594 Harlem Grovetown Road from R-A to S-1. A variance, VA26-07-02, was listed for 228 Applecross Drive (0.7 +/- acres), seeking relief from Section 90-53.

The commission also had a temporary use authorization for 6913 Cottonwood Dr (4.7 +/- acres) and a massage operator's license application for Krystina Anne Carrino, doing business as Le'Salon Day Spa & Wellness at 4434 Columbia Rd Suite 101.

Board of Commissioners (July 21)

The full Board of Commissioners was scheduled to act on a consent agenda that included a service agreement with the Izzy Scott Foundation, funding for the Sheriff's Office plumbing fixture replacement, and the resolution to abandon and sell a portion of Morris Callaway Road.

The debate agenda listed a Major PUD Revision at 500 Furys Ferry Road and a Change of Conditions for 4800 Columbia Road. Because minutes are not yet published, it is not confirmed which items passed, failed, or were tabled.

Coming up

Two committee meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, July 28.

The Public Works Services committee will consider awarding Bid #2026021-BID3289 to Coleman Construction Inc. for county emergency backup generators and Bid #2026020-BID3289 to Duckworth Development for renovation of Building G1, which houses the Department of Revenue. The agenda also includes an emergency purchase from Augusta Chiller Services Inc. for a boiler replacement at Patriots Park Gym, an Independent Contractor Agreement with Bluewater Engineering Services LLC for inspections on the Sawdust Rd to Old Louisville Rd 12-inch waterline project, and Supplemental Agreement Number 1 with GDOT for the Washington Rd Widening Project (PI#0021250).

The Community and Emergency Services committee will review the purchase of 40 Scott XD Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus units and 30 cylinders from American Safety and Firehouse, plus ProtectIR and XplorIR Bundles from 908 Devices for the Hazardous Materials Response Team. Also on the agenda: a Motorola P25 AIS 911 Recording System Agreement with Replay Systems, Inc., a service agreement with the Augusta Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, and an Independent Contractor Agreement with Telemedicine Group for HeartStart+ Cardiovascular & Metabolic Screening.

Columbia County assessors approve property corrections; commissioners set to act on zoning, contracts next week

The Columbia County Board of Assessors approved a broad set of property assessment corrections and value changes at its July 7 meeting, the only local government body with finalized minutes from the past two weeks. Several other county boards and committees met or are scheduled to meet, but their minutes have not yet been published.

Board of Assessors — July 7

The Board of Assessors took unanimous action on every item before it. Members approved the June 2, 2026 meeting minutes and amended the agenda to include 2026 Qualified Timberland Property Assessments — both unanimously.

The board then approved multiple categories of property corrections and value changes, all by unanimous vote:

• 2024-2025 Personal Property Corrections and Decision Letters
• 2023-2024-2025 Personal Property Reviews and Decision Letters
• 2026 Motor Vehicle Appeals with a value change and decision letters
• 2026 Personal Property Value Changes after Digest Approval
• 2025-2026 Residential Property Corrections and Decision Letters
• 2026 Residential Property Value Changes after Digest Approval

These actions affect how property taxes are calculated for the affected parcels and vehicles. No dollar amounts were listed in the available summary.

Board of Commissioners — July 7

The Board of Commissioners met July 7, but minutes have not yet been published, so outcomes are not yet known. The agenda included several consequential items:

• Second reading of Resolution 26-14, amending the Development Services fee schedule
• Resolution 26-15, directing the Board of Elections to call a referendum under House Bill 439
• Six major Planned Unit Development revisions (RZ26-06-01 through RZ26-06-07) and a change of conditions at various properties
• A variance to sign regulations at 4015 Gateway Blvd (VA26-06-01)
• A contract with Eleven-X to purchase the eXactpark smart parking system for the Performing Arts Center parking deck and lots

Committee meetings — July 14

Two county committees met July 14. Minutes are not yet published.

The Management and Internal Services Committee agenda included a Microsoft Enterprise Agreement for 2026-2029, implementation of a Cisco Security Suite, funding for plumbing fixture replacement at the Sheriff's Office Detention Center, an independent contractor agreement with WSP USA for inspections at Evans Towne Center Park and Racquet Center, and a lighting services agreement with Georgia Power for the Evans Towne Center Park Ice Rink and Parking Lot.

The Development and Engineering Services Committee agenda included the purchase of stream and wetland mitigation credits from Phinizy Swamp and Yam Grandy Mitigation Banks for the Hereford Farm Road widening project (PI# 0012865), Resolution 26-16 to abandon and sell a portion of Morris Callaway Road, acceptance of the 2026 LMIG Safety Action Plan Grant, an alcoholic beverage license application for Mendoza's Mexican Grill LLC, and easement encroachment agreements for 801 Prairie Lane and 3104 Wildflower Court.

Planning Commission — July 16

The Planning Commission met July 16. Minutes are not yet published. The agenda included a massage operator's license application for Krystina Anne Carrino, dba Le'Salon Day Spa & Wellness, at 4434 Columbia Rd Suite 101; a temporary use authorization for 6913 Cottonwood Dr (4.7 +/- acres); rezoning from R-A to S-1 at 5594 Harlem Grovetown Road (2.54 +/- acres), filed as RZ26-07-03; and a variance to Section 90-53 for 228 Applecross Drive (0.7 +/- acres), filed as VA26-07-02.

Coming up

The Board of Commissioners meets July 21. The agenda includes a service agreement with the Izzy Scott Foundation, funding for the Sheriff's Office plumbing fixture replacement, a resolution to abandon and sell a portion of Morris Callaway Road, a major PUD revision at 500 Furys Ferry Road, and a change of conditions for 4800 Columbia Road.