Call To Order: 6:01pm
Approval of 6/16/2026 Commission Minutes and 6/16/2026 Executive Session Minutes: Yay 5, No 0
Special Recognition/Presentation:
Columbia County Fire Rescue 2026 Boot Drive Check Represntation to Southeastern Firefighters Burn Foundation and Columbia County Community Connection: approximately $28,000
Consent Agenda. Approve: Yay 5, No 0
Community and Emergency Services Committee
(H1a) Columbia Judicial Circuit Independent Contractor Agreement with CSRA Probation Services, Inc.
(H1b) Rental Agreement with State Properties Commission for the Department of Community Supervision
(H1c) Acceptance of the FY2025 Emergency Management Performance Grant
(H1d) FY27 Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Grant for the State Accountability Court Program
(H1e) Animal Services Donations
(H1f) Senior Center Donation
(H1g) Service Agreement with the Columbia County Ballet for Ballet in the Park Event
(H1h) Service Agreements with Columbia County Community Connections and the Southeastern Firefighters Burn Foundation from the 2026 Fire Rescue Boot Drive Proceeds
Development and Planning Services Committee
(H2a) Alcoholic Beverage License Griffin’s Steakhouse LLC
Public Works and Engineering Services Committee
(H3a) Implementation of FM Live Fuel Point Hardware and Software with FuelMaster
(H3b) Professional Services Contract with Booker + Vick Architects for the Columbia County Roads and Bridges Administration Office
(H3c) Change Order Number One with Blair Construction for Water System Improvements Cleaning Phase I
(H3d) Purchase of Water Meters for FY26/27 from Sensus, Inc
(H3e) Award 2026019-BID5100 to Blair Construction for the Hunter’s Ridge Lift Station Replacement
(H3f) Independent Contractor Agreement with Hydrologics, Inc. for a Zero Discharge Flushing Program
(H3g) Resolution 26-11 to Increase the Speed Limit and Reclassify Kelarie Way to a Minor Collector Road
(H3h) Lighting Services Agreements with Georgia Power to Upgrade Street Lighting at Various Locations - Phase IV
(H3i) Non-Residential Gas Extension Contract with Atlanta Gas Light (AGL) to serve the installation of a Backup Generator for the Traffic Signal at the intersection of River Watch Pkwy and Baston Rd
(H3j) Contract# 2025-3325, Change Order 1 for TIA 2, Group 6 Resurfacing with Reeves Construction
(H3k) Facility Use Agreement with the Clarks Hill Beekeepers Association for use of the Baker Place Road Municipal Solid Waste Landfill
(H3l) Contract# 2026-3609 with Surveying and Mapping, LLC for Prior Rights Research for the Hereford Farm Rd Widening Project, PI# 012865
(H3m) 2026 Annual Renewal of Columbia County’s Title VI Plan relating to Federal Assistance for Transportation Programs and Activities
Debate Agenda
Unfinished Business
Development and Planning Services Committee
(I1a1) Resolution 26-14 Amending Fee Schedule for Development Services - Second Reading Approve: Yay 5, No 0
New Business
Management and Internal Services Committee
(I2a1) Resolution 26-15: Requesting and Directing the Board of Elections to Call and Conduct a Referendum Pursuant to House Bill 439 Approve: Yay 5, No 0
Johnson: HB 439 part of county’s effort to reduce, and eventually eliminate, county homestead property taxes. Previously increased homestead exemption from $2000 to $10,000. This allows voters to consider exemption up to $18,000 (max allowed without constitutional amendment). County intends to use rollback rate for 2027 millage rate. (Meaning, lower millage rate enough to offset higher property assessments and avoid net increase from reassessments. County has reduced millage rate in 10 of past 11 years except COVID year when it stayed the same.
Development and Planning Services Committee
(I2b1) Alcoholic Beverage License Jones Creek Golf Course LLC Approve: Yay 5, No 0
(I2b2) VA26-06-01, Variance to Section 90-135 Signs, 4015 Gateway Blvd, Tax Map 068 Parcel 1667, 1.71 +/- acres, and currently zoned C-2 (General Commercial). Approve: Yay 5, No 0
Schlachter: Increased Applebee’s Signage. 89 square feet of awning signs. Wall sign on west elevation. Wall sign on east elevation that exceed normal maximum. In response to commission questions: No complaints from other businesses and would not create precedent for other businesses seeking larger signs.
(I2b3) RZ26-06-01, Major PUD (Planned Unit Development) Revision, 1868 Champions Circle, Tax Map 065 Parcel 251, 0.83 +/- acres, and currently zoned PUD (Planned Unit Development). Approve: Yay 5, No 0
Schlachter: Reduce setback from 50 feet to 25 feet for a pool.
(I2b4) RZ26-06-02, Major PUD (Planned Unit Development) Revision, 3982 Hammonds Ferry Court, Tax Map 077H Parcel 369, 0.399 +/- acres, and currently zoned PUD (Planned Unit Development) and Easement Encroachment. Approve: Yay 5, No 0
Schlachter: Change setback from 10 ft to 2 ft so homeowner can put in a pool.
Neighbor: Objected because he said that excavation that close to the property line could damage the critical root zone of the mature trees on his property, which is behind this property. He cited an arborist report and said the issue might not show up immediately, but trees could decline or die within 1-3 years. He was concerned about who would be responsible for tree removal or if the trees caused other property damage.
(Chris Driver, board’s attorney, briefly addressed liability issues, but ultimately advised that this would be a civil matter and he couldn’t give legal advice.)
Owner: Responded that the pool would not be two feet from the property line along the entire fence. The pool would likely be at least 5 feet from property line.
(Neighbor and homeowner then briefly discussed responsibility for future tree damage/removal. They were going to work together.)
(I2b5) RZ26-06-03, Major S-1 (Special) Revision, 460 Furys Ferry Road, Tax Map 082 Parcel 076A, 2.27 +/- acres, and currently zoned S-1 (Special). Approve: Yay 5, No 0
Schlachter: Zoned for S-1 for a daycare. Daycare owner decided to sell property and new owner wants to use it as a medical office treating children. No comments from nearby property owners.
(I2b6) RZ26-06-04, Major PUD (Planned Unit Development) Revision, 401 Bartram Trail Club Drive, Tax Map 060 Parcel 1695, 20.57 +/- acres, and currently zoned PUD (Planned Unit Development). Disapprove: Yay 5, No 0
Schlachter: Proposed single-family residential development on property currently designated C-2 Commercial.
After the vote, Eric Beddingfield: He said that staff and the planning committee recommended approval. (He seemed surprised)
Commissioner Melear: Explained that while staff and the planning committee make recommendations, the final approval comes from the Board of Commissioners, and they disapproved.
(I2b7) RZ26-06-05, Major PUD (Planned Unit Development) Revision, 785 Jones Creek, Tax Map 078 Parcel 057U, 0.78 +/- acres, and currently zoned PUD (Planned Unit Development). Approve: Yay 5, No 0
Schlachter: Existing amenities predate the current setback requirements. HOA wants to expand the building, they need to establish new setbacks for pool area. (Commissioner Melear had a lot of questions about the project in regards to parking of construction equipment, fencing requirements, etc.)
Tripp Nanney (On behalf of HOA): Replacing 35+ year old pool house. Add ADA-compliant restrooms and pool entrances, enlarge pump room, address flooding/plumbing problems.
Homeowner of nearby property: Satisfied with revised plans provided HOA follows through with no 2nd story balcony overlooking his property, add an appropriate privacy fence, and landscape buffering.
Schlachter: Confirmed that required fence and landscaping would have to be installed before certificate of occupancy could be issued.
(I2b8) RZ26-06-06, Change of Conditions, 4434 Columbia Road, Tax Map 073G Parcel 082, 0.86 +/- acres, and currently zoned P-1 (Professional). Approve: Yay 5, No 0
Schlachter: Remove a condition imposed in 2015 that limited the Parcel to only one massage business. This will allow more than one massage therapy business to operate on the property.
Public Works and Engineering Services Committee
(I2c1) Contract #2026-3538 with Eleven-X to Purchase their Smart Parking System eXactpark) for the Parking Deck and Parking Lots around the Performing Arts Center. Approve: Yay 4, No 1 (Connie Melear)
One-time capital cost $323,265.99. Annual cost $37,230.48. System will show how many parking spaces are available in the area (including parking deck, but not limited to the parking deck.) Help people find parking during large events and better use existing parking before spending money on additional parking. Staff was able to reduce annual cost and had app included in one-time purchase. Steed stated it could help with safety because people can drive right to their parking spot.
Public Comments
Helen Willingham: On behalf of Willingham Estate. Discuss adding access to county water, road paving, name of road was changed from Willingham Dr to Beehive Dr and would like to switch it back. Commissioners Carraway and Steed will meet with descendents and county officials.
Timothy Alrich: Discussed property tax options
Morgan Evans: Requested a traffic safety study be conducted of the intersection on William Few between the Kroger and McDonalds. Schlachter responded that the county had already begun looking into it after Ms. Evans contacted them. There have been 28 accidents in 3 years, including 10 with injuries. He discussed different possibilities but it needs to be studied more to look at all possibilities of routing traffic in the area.
Susan Warren: Data Centers
Executive Session
Property
(M1a) Acceptance of a temporary construction Easement (175 square feet) from Evans Enterprise of Augusta, LLC for Washington Road Corridor Traffic Improvement Project. Approve: Yay 5, No 0
(M1b) Acceptance of a temporary construction Easement (435 square feet) from CAlvin Toliver for Horizon South Parkway/Chandler Rd Connector Project. Approve: Yay 5, No 0
Adjourn: 7:16pm.
The next scheduled meeting is Tuesday 7/21/2026 at 6:00pm in the Auditorium of Building A at the Evans Government Center.