The County Compass

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 ac...

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 interch...

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 inf...

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...

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...

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...

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 take...

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 workin...

In this week’s episode, County Manager Scott Johnson sits down with Teka Jenkins from Columbia County Community Connections, a local nonprofit dedicated to supporting children, parents, and families throughout our community. Together, they discuss how Community Connections links families with valuable resources, supports healthy child development, strengthens parenting skills, and helps build a st...

Ever wondered how your property's value is determined or what to do if you disagree with your assessment?  In this week’s episode, County Manager Scott Johnson sits down with Chief Appraiser Morgan Aune from the Columbia County Tax Assessor's Office to answer commonly asked questions about property assessments.  Together, they break down how property values are calculated, what factors inf...

This week’s episode is a little different, and one you won't want to miss.  County Manager Scott Johnson welcomes 16-year-old student and Saving Time podcast host, Jaleal Fraley. What starts as a conversation takes an unexpected turn as Fraley flips the script, asking Johnson questions about leadership and local government.  This fun and engaging conversation highlights the importance of encou...

As America celebrates 250 years of independence, County Manager Scott Johnson takes you back through Columbia County’s history and its connection to our nation’s founding. History isn't something just found in textbooks, it’s right here at home. Join us today as we learn more about the people, places, and stories that helped shape both our community and our country.

In this week’s episode, former Columbia County Chairman Ron Cross shares the stories, lessons and memories that have stayed with him long after leaving office.  From watching Columbia County evolve over the years to reflecting on what makes it such a special place to call home, Cross opens up about the community he loves and the legacy he hopes will continue for generations to come.  Whether you’v...

For the first time on The County Compass, County Manger Scott Johnson welcomes special guest, former Columbia County Chairman Ron Cross. In the first of two episodes, Cross shares stories from his years in public service and reflects on the growth and change that helped shape Columbia County.  Together, they discuss the challenges, opportunities, and decisions that influenced the county’s directio...

In this week’s episode, County Manager Scott Johnson gives you an inside look at Columbia County's EMS system and explores the partnership between Columbia County Fire Rescue and Gold Cross EMS.  Johnson breaks down the current Gold Cross contract, what it means for residents, and how the county works with our partners to review performance and maintain quality service. He also explains how Fi...

In this week’s episode, County Manager Johnson talks about the efforts made to bring a hospital to Columbia County through our partnership with Wellstar and why expanding access to healthcare has been a top priority for the county. Johnson walks through how the project started, why it’s needed, project funding and the steps taken to keep the project moving, including the Certificate of Need (CON),...

In this week's episode, County Manager Scott Johnson discusses the work that goes into running a smooth and secure election in Columbia County.    From early voting preparations to Election Day, it takes a dedicated team effort from the Board of Elections, county staff, poll workers, and volunteers to keep things moving across the county.    Join us today for an important conversation about ci...

In this week’s episode, County Manager Scott Johnson discusses Governor Brian Kemp’s official signing of House Bill 439 and what it means for Columbia County homeowners as it heads to the ballot this November. HB 439 gives counties like Columbia County the opportunity to provide additional property tax relief, especially for homesteaded properties, helping address rising taxes and long-term afford...

In this episode, County Manager Scott Johnson takes a closer look at something that impacts every household, business, and service in our community: the county budget.  From public safety and infrastructure to parks, roads, and day-to-day operations, the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget (running July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027) helps shape how Columbia County plans for tomorrow. Scott walks through the...

In this week’s episode, county manager Scott Johnson reflects on the unexpected loss of Major Steve Morris and the lasting impact he made on our community. The legacy of leaders like Major Morris live on in the systems they helped build, the people they trained and the culture of professionalism they helped establish.  Join us today as we look at additional leadership transitions happening across...

In this week’s episode, we’re breaking down the State of Emergency issued by Governor Brian Kemp in response to the South Georgia wildfires, along with the statewide burn ban from the Georgia Forestry Commission. We’re also talking about what a Level 1 drought designation from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division means for our area, especially when it comes to fire risk and water supply. ...

After nearly two decades of leadership, County Manager Scott Johnson will retire on January 2nd, 2027. In this week's episode, he reflects on the milestones, challenges, and partnerships that have helped shape Columbia County and why he is confident in what comes next.

Masters week is one of the most exciting times of the year for our area. In this week’s episode, we’re taking a closer look at how tournament week impacts Columbia County.   The tournament doesn't just bring in the best golfers, it puts more people in our local restaurants, shops, sidewalks and more cars our roads creating a noticeable buzz that can be felt for miles. From county leaders, to t...

In this week’s episode, we’re take a closer look at House Bill 439 which just passed the Georgia House and Senate. The next stop is the Governor's desk and then it heads to you, the voters, this November. House Bill 439 gives local governments the necessary tools to help lower property taxes for homeowners. But getting here hasn't been easy.  Earlier legislation didn’t make it through, so...

Ever wonder how traffic flows through Columbia County and what’s being done behind the scenes improve it? In this week’s episode, we take you inside the county’s Intelligent Traffic Network for a deeper look at the technology helping create safer roads.  From analyzing traffic patterns to planning road widening projects and signal placement, every decision is driven by real data. We’re also breaki...