Columbia County officials on Tuesday established fines for those illegally parking in handicap spaces.
For first-time offenders, the fine will be $250. Subsequent violations will cost offenders $500, according to the new resolution.
The rule was requested by Columbia County Chief Magistrate Bobby Christine, said county Deputy Administrator Scott Johnson.
Previously, violators were fined at the discretion of a judge, Johnson said.
Also at the meeting, commissioners approved eliminating 12 positions from the county payroll.
Those positions included the Management Services Division director, Engineering Services Division director, an assistant manager for Roads and Bridges, a construction project manager, a librarian and a reference librarian, and a recreation maintenance worker.
According to documents, cutting the positions will save nearly $257,000 each year in the county's general fund. Already, an effort to streamline county departments has produced an annualized savings of more than $820,000.
In addition, the commission approved a change to the Riverwood Town Center planned unit development to allow for the construction of a McDonald's restaurant.
Previously, rules governing the development would not have allowed a business with a drive-through feature.
Though no construction start date was listed for the fast-food restaurant at 5109 Washington Road, the documents did mention that county staff currently are reviewing architectural renderings.
icon.