Some amusing roadside attractions while driving through Columbia County, New York!
#WackyWednesdayArt #ColorADay #redwed #icecreamstand #wackymailbox #trees #columbiacounty #newyork #photography #carshots

On the Road Again 🎶
#ColorADay #BWFri #animals #horses #trees #nature #march #columbiacounty #newyork #willienelson #photography

On the Road Again 🎶
#ColorADay #BWFri #animals #horses #trees #nature #march #columbiacounty #newyork #willienelson #photography

Meeting roundup: board approves several contracts, awards and routine items The board approved multiple routine items — settlement, bid awards, resurfacing contracts, a tri‑party rail reimbursement agreement, and personnel job description changes — along with the earlier actions on continuing services, utility referrals and the Water First letter; several motions passed by voice vote.

Columbia County's latest board meeting was packed with pivotal decisions, from declaring Flood Awareness Week to approving major construction contracts that will shape the community's future.

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#ColumbiaCounty #FL #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #InfrastructureDevelopment

County receives update on EMS transition; AmeriPro ramping up but staffing remains a constraint County staff and contractor representatives reported that AmeriPro is operating several ALS units and is ramping up to full contractual coverage; officials said staffing availability will determine how quickly AmeriPro reaches full deployment and cautioned that AmeriPro remains within its ramp‑up contract period.

Columbia County's EMS transition to AmeriPro is showing promising progress, but staffing challenges remain a crucial factor for timely ambulance coverage.

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#ColumbiaCounty #FL #HealthcareAccess #CitizenPortal #EmergencyResponse #PublicSafety #ColumbiaCountyEMS

Columbia County expands continuing civil‑engineering roster after lengthy procurement debate After extended discussion about procurement rules and support for local firms, the county commission voted to add five firms to its continuing civil‑engineering roster and authorized staff to negotiate rates with the top five RFQ respondents, while directing project‑level RFPs when time permits.

Columbia County is shaking up its civil engineering contracts, adding new firms to speed up critical projects while addressing local contractor concerns.

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#ColumbiaCounty #FL #PublicProcurement #ColumbiaCountyEngineering #CitizenPortal #CivilEngineering #LocalContractors

Columbia County commissioners send letter opposing Water First North Florida project, citing environmental and local‑benefit concerns The board unanimously approved a formal letter opposing the Water First North Florida proposal, arguing it poses risks to springs and rivers, unclear contaminant treatment, public health concerns and limited local benefits; the letter in the record is signed 'Tim Murphy, chair.'

Columbia County commissioners have officially opposed the Water First North Florida project, citing serious environmental risks and a lack of local benefits.

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#ColumbiaCounty #FL #SustainableAlternatives #CitizenPortal #EnvironmentalImpact #WaterSecurity

Columbia County authorizes pursuit of USDA funding for larger Ellisville wastewater plant, refers options to utility authority Facing new nitrogen regulations and capacity limits, the county voted to refer engineering options to the utility authority and to pursue a USDA application for a planned 250,000‑gallon‑per‑day wastewater plant for Ellisville; staff also discussed band‑aid fixes and costs ranging roughly $7M–$10M for different technologies.

Columbia County is taking bold steps to enhance its wastewater capacity in Ellisville, paving the way for significant economic growth and compliance with new regulations.

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#ColumbiaCounty #FL #CitizenPortal #EnvironmentalRegulations #EconomicGrowth #InfrastructureDevelopment

Columbia County highlights 26-year finance streak, AAA bond rating and awards for Hurricane Helene response County Manager Scott Johnson used the County Compass podcast to spotlight Columbia County’s consecutive finance honors, national and state emergency-management awards after Hurricane Helene, a AAA credit rating and an estimated FEMA reimbursement tied to recovery work.

Columbia County celebrates 26 years of flawless financial reporting and a stellar AAA bond rating, proving that your tax dollars are in expert hands!

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#ColumbiaCounty #GA #CitizenPortal #ColumbiaCountyFinance #EmergencyManagement #CommunityResilience #FiscalTransparency

Residents press planners over data-center rezoning as Columbia County commission recommends approval After a re-advertised rezoning to a data-center (RZ260304) drew broad public questions about noise, construction traffic, water and incentives, the Planning Commission voted to recommend approval with conditions that staff said will limit operational noise and require stormwater review.

A heated debate erupted in Columbia County as residents raised urgent concerns over a proposed data center's impact on noise, traffic, and water supply—will the Board of Commissioners heed their warnings?

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#ColumbiaCounty #GA #CitizenPortal #ColumbiaCountyDataCenters

Columbia County awards $2.73 million contract for Kellogg Hollow Road Phase 2 After resolving a procedural bid protest, the county recommended and voted to award the Kellogg Hollow Road Phase 2 contract to Don Jackson Excavation LLC; the low bid was $2,726,879.01 and the project is funded by federal and state transportation programs with no county match reported in the transcript.

Columbia County just awarded a $2.73 million contract for the Kellogg Hollow Road Phase 2 project, overcoming a procedural bid protest to kickstart essential infrastructure improvements!

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#ColumbiaCounty #WA #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #InfrastructureDevelopment

Airport terminal design, AWOS and taxiway estimate move forward with FAA funding support Engineering said final airport terminal design documents and AWOS approvals are advancing; the committee authorized a $2,850 independent-fee estimate contract covered largely by FAA funding and approved state reimbursement agreements for design matches.

Exciting updates for Columbia County's airport projects: final designs for the terminal are coming soon, and FAA funding is paving the way for major improvements!

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#ColumbiaCounty #NY #AviationDevelopment #PublicInfrastructure #CitizenPortal #FederalFunding

Engineering warns of urgent slope and bridge repairs; county may seek multimodal funding or eminent domain Engineering reported the Stuyvesant Falls bridge remains closed pending a load-rating study and recommended slope stabilization (estimated at about $1.5 million) for an active 400-foot slope; staff said they may seek quicker multimodal funding and discussed using eminent domain to acquire needed right-of-way for a separate bridge alignment.

Urgent repairs are needed for the Stuyvesant Falls bridge and a dangerously unstable slope, with officials considering multimodal funding and even eminent domain to expedite these critical projects.

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#ColumbiaCounty #NY #CitizenPortal #EminentDomain #PublicSafety

Solid-waste staff warn of needles in recycling, market pressures and staffing impacts on sticker sales Solid-waste staff reported e-waste and event funding submissions, warned of rising needle/medication contamination in recycling loads and described pressure on sticker sales, staffing at transfer stations and a weak PET market; the committee approved surplus-equipment disposals and routine transfers.

Solid-waste staff are sounding the alarm on a troubling rise in needles and medications in recycling, alongside market pressures that could impact future operations.

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#ColumbiaCounty #NY #EnvironmentalConcerns #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #WasteManagement #ColumbiaCountyHealth

County committee adopts Climate Smart Communities progress report highlighting grants and EV projects The committee adopted the Climate Smart Communities annual progress report, noting volunteer engagement, grant-funded EV chargers and energy upgrades across Columbia County and agreeing to update town-level entries on request.

Columbia County's Climate Smart Communities task force has secured over $3.5 million in grants, transforming local energy projects with the help of 170 dedicated volunteers!

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#ColumbiaCounty #NY #CitizenPortal #EnergyEfficiency #ClimateAction #VolunteerEngagement

Trader Joe'sexpresses interest in Columbia County; manager dispels rumor of employee swimming pool at government center County Manager Scott Johnson confirmed Trader Joe's interest in opening a store in Columbia County but said no deal is finalized; he also denied a circulating rumor that the new government center will include a swimming pool for employees, saying the space will serve parking, ingress/egress and public access.

Trader Joe's is eyeing a new store in Columbia County, but County Manager Scott Johnson warns that the plans are still a work in progress!

Stay tuned for updates!

#ColumbiaCounty #GA #CitizenPortal #CommunityDevelopment #PublicAccess #ColumbiaCountyRetail #LocalEconomy

Columbia County manager defends growth plan, says data centers could help cut property taxes County Manager Scott Johnson framed long-term population growth as inevitable, defended the comprehensive plan that designates land for data centers, denied allegations of bribery, and said state legislation to allow homestead tax relief for counties has advanced through a key committee.

Columbia County's growth may be in its DNA, but County Manager Scott Johnson insists that strategic planning and data centers could be the key to slashing property taxes and managing the future.

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#ColumbiaCounty #GA #ColumbiaCountyGrowth #CitizenPortal #UrbanPlanning

Commissioners receive report finding material breaches by EMS contractor after delayed‑response complaint A formal complaint about a delayed ambulance response at a January rodeo prompted an investigation that county counsel says corroborated material breaches of the EMS contractor’s obligations. Counsel delivered a report to the county manager and recommended commissioners review it; staff signaled readiness to seek backup coverage if necessary.

A shocking investigation reveals serious breaches by the EMS contractor following a delayed ambulance response at a local rodeo, raising urgent questions about public safety in Columbia County.

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#ColumbiaCounty #FL #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #EmergencyResponse

Water First reclaimed‑water project draws technical briefing and sharp public concerns Suwannee River Water Management District representatives brief Columbia County commissioners on the regional "Water First" reclaimed‑water and recharge project, describing pilot studies and a plan to recharge about 40 million gallons per day. Residents raised PFAS, pharmaceutical and liability concerns; no county action was taken.

The proposed "Water First" project aims to pump 40 million gallons of treated reclaimed water daily into wetlands, raising serious public concerns over contaminants and community safety.

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#ColumbiaCounty #FL #WaterConservation #CitizenPortal #PublicHealthSafety #AquiferRecharge

Columbia County board activates AmeriPro as backup EMS, approves 90-day settlement with Columbia EMS After citing repeated response-time failures and a February 8 arena complaint, the Columbia County Board of County Commissioners voted to activate AmeriPro EMS as backup contractor and adopt a settlement that provides a 90-day transition and monthly subsidy to Columbia EMS while AmeriPro ramps up.

Columbia County takes action to improve emergency response by activating AmeriPro EMS as a backup contractor after serious compliance failures from Columbia EMS.

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#ColumbiaCounty #FL #CitizenPortal #HealthCareAccess #PublicSafety #EmergencyServices

Supervisor: ruling expected next week in Shepherd's Run issue statement; town seeks party status Supervisor Wolf said an issue statement and affirmation seeking party status in the Shepherd's Run matter were filed; a ruling on party status was expected the week of Feb. 18 and dismissal was also being pursued concurrently.

Supervisor Wolf reveals groundbreaking developments in the Shepherd's Run project that could change the course of local governance forever!

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#ColumbiaCounty #NY #CitizenPortal #LocalGovAI #PublicParticipation #CommunityGovernance #ColumbiaCountyHomerule

Supervisor warns Columbia Memorial Hospital bed reductions could affect county access A supervisor told the board that Columbia Memorial Hospital plans to reduce inpatient beds to 25 and shift investment to Greene County, a move he said would significantly affect Columbia County residents; no hospital representative spoke at the meeting.

Columbia Memorial Hospital's plan to cut inpatient beds to just 25 could spell disaster for access to care in Columbia County.

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#ColumbiaCounty #NY #CitizenPortal #PublicHealth #CommunityAccess #ColumbiaCountyHealthcare #HealthcareReform

Columbia County board issues SEQRA negative declaration for agricultural‑district additions and adopts multiple routine resolutions The Columbia County Board of Supervisors completed a short SEQRA review and voted to approve parcel inclusions in agricultural districts (Resolution 70), recorded multiple recusals, and adopted a slate of routine resolutions at a February 2026 meeting.

The Columbia County Board of Supervisors has moved forward with significant agricultural district inclusions after a swift SEQRA review, but what do the recusals mean for future decisions?

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#ColumbiaCounty #NY #EnvironmentalReview #CitizenPortal #CommunityGovernance

#RemoteWork #DigitalNomad #DayNomad #Hudson #columbiacounty #UpstateNY

Columbia County adopts 'Foundations for the Future' plan after heated public comment on data‑center rezonings The Columbia County Board of Commissioners voted Feb. 17 to adopt the Foundations for the Future comprehensive plan and transmit it to regional and state review despite significant public testimony criticizing recent map changes that residents say favor data‑center development.

Columbia County has adopted a controversial new plan, "Foundations for the Future," amidst strong public outcry over potential industrial encroachments on rural neighborhoods.

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#ColumbiaCounty #GA #CitizenPortal #EnvironmentalProtection #LandUsePolicy

Columbia County adopts new 20‑year comprehensive plan after heated public comment on data‑center rezonings After a consultant presentation and extended public comment focused on recent map changes and data‑center rezonings, the Columbia County Board of Commissioners adopted Resolution 26‑6, transmitting the "Foundations for the Future" comprehensive plan to regional and state reviewers. Residents urged more outreach, green space and clearer infrastructure projections for large projects.

Columbia County's bold new 20-year plan sparks controversy as residents demand more transparency and green space amidst rapid development changes.

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#ColumbiaCounty #GA #EnvironmentalSustainability #CitizenPortal #UrbanPlanning #ColumbiaCountyCommunity #CommunityOutreach

“The sun shines not on us but in us. The rivers flow not past, but through us.” —John Muir
#Waterwednesday #hudsonriver #water #catskills #trees #sky #clouds #nature #autumn #clermontstatehistoricsite #columbiacounty #hudsonvalley #newyork #photography

Columbia County committee approves EOC video walls, IT replacements and staffing contract increase The county's Management & Internal Services Committee approved a $711,548.69 emergency operations center (EOC) technology refresh paid from the TAVT capital line, a $232,935 IT lifecycle replacement for desktops and laptops, and a negotiated increase for the performing arts center’s Event Staffing Specialists contract; staff also reported a pending $16 million FEMA obligation.

Columbia County just approved a massive $711,548 tech upgrade for its Emergency Operations Center and secured a $16 million FEMA obligation for disaster recovery!

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#ColumbiaCounty #GA #CitizenPortal #DisasterFunding #ColumbiaCountyEmergencyServices #PublicSafety #TechnologyRefresh