Meetings on capital improvements planned

The first of three Town Hall meetings on the county's proposed Capital Improvements Projects list and bond referendum begins at 6 p.m. Thursday in Phinizy.

Columbia County Administrator Steve Szablewski will moderate the forum to educate voters about the proposed list of stormwater/waterworks, transportation, recreation and public safety projects, said county spokeswoman Marilyn Heuer.

The forum will be held at the Eubank Blanchard Community Center on Cobbham Road at Ray Owens Road.

In November, voters will be asked to approve the issuance of $43.78 million in general obligation bonds to pay for the projects and interest obligations. Heuer said the ballot will contain four questions asking voters to approve or disapprove each category.

If voters approve all four questions, county officials say, a 12-year property tax increase of 1 mill, or about $40 a year on a $100,000 home, will pay off the bond.

"It is the desire of the (county) commission that people educate themselves" about the projects before November, Heuer said.

The list of projects has been essentially unchanged in recent months, but the county has added a $2.5 million line item to pay for road improvements at new school construction sites, she said.

In addition to Szablewski, Heuer said, commission Chairman Ron Cross, water and sewer Director Billy Clayton, construction and maintenance Director J. Scott Herring and emergency services Director Pam Tucker will attend.

The remaining town hall meetings follow on Oct. 12 at the Evans Government Center Auditorium and on Oct. 26 at the Savannah Rapids Pavilion. Both begin at 6 p.m.