Study shows Columbia County consolidation and incorporation is fiscally feasible
COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga. (WJBF) – Several communities in Columbia County could soon become one. A recent feasibility study by Valdosta State University states the consolidation and incorporation of Columbia County could be in everyone’s best financial interest.
In the study, the university looked at the county’s previous financial reports and other data, and determined that a proposed Columbia City would bring in more revenue.
“Because Columbia County is so fiscally strong now, this just adds to it,” said County Manager Scott Johnson. “They did determine there were some revenue streams that Columbia County currently is not tapping into, and we don’t have the opportunity as an unincorporated county to tap into them.”
Some benefits listed in the study was that the county could possibly collect more franchise fees, reduce the millage rate and alleviate the tax burden on residents, as well as receive more grants.
“They determined that we could essentially, potentially get over eight million dollars in additional revenue if we were a city,” Johnson said. “If we created this city, it would become the sixth largest city in Georgia overnight.”
Unincorporated areas like Evans, Appling, Martinez, Winfield and Leah would become one city. Harlem and Grovetown would still be their own cities with their own local governments.
One concern brought up by Harlem and Grovetown leaders is their ability to expand.
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“Geographically they couldn’t grow, but what the report did show us, the city of Harlem and the city of Grovetown have a significant amount of undeveloped land in their cities,” Johnson said. “So they can continue to grow the undeveloped land within their cities.”
Leaders also questioned if mailing addresses would stay the same.
“Consultants found that we can still use our current addresses,” Johnson said.
He said the changes would mainly be on paper.
“We really feel like everything would remain the same operationally,” Johnson said. “We’re not asking to change our board of commissioners, we’re not asking to add any additional layers of government, we’re not asking for any new positions, we’re just simply looking at doing this as a possibility to increase the revenue streams.”
As the proposal potentially moves it’s way through different levels of government before reaching the ballots next year, Johnson said there will be many opportunities for residents to give feedback and ask questions about it.
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