With savings from projects that cost less than expected, Columbia County commissioners Tuesday morning gave final approval to a property tax rate cut.

The half-mill cut is on the portion of tax bills that repay bond debt, said Finance Director Leanne Reece. By using $3.9 million from the 2011-2016 sales tax assigned to debt payment, and adding $2.1 million from savings in construction projects, commissioners were able to trim the county’s portion of the overall rate from 9.137 to 8.637 mills, she said.