The County Compass

Columbia County is entering a new chapter of leadership, and this week, we’re making history on The County Compass. Following the November 3 General Election, current District 4 Commissioner and Vice Chair Alison Couch will become the first woman to serve as Commission Chair in Columbia County.In this week’s episode, County Manager Scott Johnson sits down with Chair-Elect Couch to talk about her journey from Commissioner to Vice Chair to leading the Board of Commissioners.   They discuss the election, lessons learned along the campaign trail, and her vision for the county’s future. From property tax relief and managing growth and infrastructure, public safety, and preserving the quality of life our residents value, they take a closer look at the priorities and opportunities ahead. 

Election day is right around the corner. Do you know what's on the ballot and how it could affect Columbia County? In this week’s episode of The County Compass, County Manager Scott Johnson breaks down what voters can expect to see on November 3, including early voting, Election Day details, local races and the proposed constitutional amendments. He also takes a closer look at House Bill 439, a local referendum that would allow Columbia County to create a program offering tax relief to qualifying homestead homeowners. Scott explains what a YES vote would mean, how the program would work, and how potential revenue fits into the conversation. Whether you've already voted or are getting ready to head to the polls, take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with what’s on the ballot. 

From youth sports to the parks families enjoy year-round, our Community Services department helps keep Columbia County active and connected.In this week’s episode of The County Compass, County Manager Scott Johnson sits down with Community Services Director John Luton to discuss youth sports participation, programs for young athletes, and the parks and recreational facilities serving residents across the county. They also discuss how the county maintains these spaces while planning for the growing demand for sports, recreation and places for families to spend time together. Tune in to Episode 31 to learn more about the parks, programs, and recreation opportunities serving Columbia County.

As Columbia County continues to grow, roadway safety remains a top priority. In this week’s episode of The County Compass, County Manager Scott Johnson highlights several intersection improvement projects, including the new traffic signal at Harlem-Grovetown Road and Old Louisville Road, the roundabout at Hardy McManus Road and Furys Ferry Road, and the improvements at the I-20 and US 221 interchange near Appling.While some improvements can be completed relatively quickly, others can take years from initial planning to completion. Johnson breaks down what it takes to bring these projects to life, from traffic studies and engineering to right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation, construction and coordination with GDOT. Join us today as we learn more about the work going on to improve roadway safety across Columbia County.

In this week’s episode of The County Compass, County Manager Scott Johnson sits down with Public Relations Director Cassidy Harris to talk about how Columbia County communicates and why reaching residents takes more than one platform. From social media and videos on the county website, emergency notifications, and beyond, the goal is simple: meet residents where they are with accurate, timely information that’s easy to find. Scott and Cassidy talk about how communication has changed over time, the lessons learned along the way, what shapes the county’s day-to-day communication and what happens behind the scenes to get information from county departments to the people who need it.At the end of the day, good communication isn’t just about putting information put there. It’s about making sure you can find it, understand it and know what to do with it.

License Plate Reader (LPR) technology has become a hot topic, and with all the conversation comes a lot of questions about how it really works. On this week’s episode, County Manager Scott Johnson sits down with Major Andy Shedd of the Columbia County Sheriff's Office to break it down. What can Deputies see? What information does the system collect? How does Columbia County Sheriff’s Office use it? And what safeguards are in place? Major Shedd explains how the technology itself isn’t the goal. It’s a tool law enforcement can use to help prevent and solve crimes while keeping the people who live, work, and raise their families in Columbia County safe. We’re going straight to the source to break it all down. No assumptions. No speculation. Just an opportunity to better understand the technology and how it is being used in Columbia County.

Columbia County is growing and with growth comes questions, conversations, and different perspectives. In this week’s episode, County Manager Scott Johnson takes a closer look at what’s being said about the county and compares those perceptions with the facts. From population growth and household income to jobs, schools, public safety, taxes, AAA bond ratings and quality of life, Johnson gives a clear picture of where the county stands today. This episode separates facts from perception to help tell Columbia County's story.

You’ve heard about the data center coming to Columbia County, but how did we get here and what does it mean for you? In this week’s episode, County Manager Scott Johnson explains how the county acquired the land, Google’s involvement and the potential for property tax relief. Johnson also explains the demand for data centers, why companies are choosing Georgia and how Columbia County is positioned to be part of the growing industry. Ultimately, the goal is simple: grow the commercial tax base and create opportunities to reduce the burden on residential property owners. Join us today for a closer look a the decisions, challenges, and strategy behind one of the biggest economic development projects in Columbia County.

As Columbia County continues to grow, so does the need for a strong, innovative emergency medical system ready to serve our community. In this week’s episode, County Manager Scott Johnson sits down with EMS Chief Ray Blessing to explore how EMS has evolved in Columbia County. They discuss the history of EMS, the difference between EMTs and Paramedics, how our current model works and what it takes to provide this critical service. From serving a growing population to adaption to new healthcare resources, Columbia County Fire Rescue continues to find new ways to strengthen their emergency response. Join us today for a behind-the-scenes look at how CCFR is building on its past and preparing for what’s next. 

In this week’s episode, County Manager Scott Johnson takes us back to 2011, when former Chairman Ron Cross and county leaders began working towards a big goal: a hospital in Columbia County. Johnson explains the challenges that stood in the way. Georgia's Certificate of Need (CON) laws initially prevented the county from pursuing a hospital under the existing framework. But leaders kept working. Through research, legal analysis, collaboration with state leaders, and the Sole Community Provider pathway, they found a way to meet the requirements and move the project forward. Join us today as we walk through the original vision, choosing a healthcare partner, navigating leadership changes, legal challenges, and a major public-private partnership.