The County Compass

Columbia County, GA

Columbia County's guide to news, voices, and perspectives hosted by Scott Johnson, County Manager for Columbia County, Georgia.

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    By the Numbers

    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 numbers presented to the Board of Commissioners, explaining where funding comes from, how priorities are set, and what it means for residents.

    34 min

  2. 4 MAY

    Leadership Transitions

    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 the county, including retirements and term-limited roles and how the county prepares for those changes through succession planning and steady leadership.

    29 min

  3. 27 APR

    Fires, Drought, and Staying Prepared

    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.  Plus, we’re sharing simple steps you can take to help prevent wild fires and conserve water.  Staying informed and proactive makes a difference.

    23 min

  4. 20 APR

    Scott Johnson: The Next Chapter

    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.

    31 min

  5. 6 APR

    Tournament Preparation & Community Impact

    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 traffic control and public safety operators, it takes everyone working together to make sure this week runs smoothly for residents and visitors alike.   Join us today for the full story!

    24 min

  6. 30 MAR

    House Bill 439 Breakdown

    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 we worked with our delegation to find other options to move forward and that turned in to House Bill 439.  Join us today as we break down what this means, how it would work, what could change and what Columbia County homeowners can expect moving forward.

    28 min

  7. 23 MAR

    Traffic and Connectivity

    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 breaking down how traffic cameras, vehicle counts, and system-wide coordination work together to keep things moving efficiently.  Plus, you’ll learn how preemption technology gives emergency vehicles priority at traffic signals, helping first responders get where they need to be when seconds count.

    31 min

  8. 16 MAR

    Helene Cleanup: One Year Later

    In this week’s episode of the County Compass, we look back at the one-year mark since Columbia County completed it’s response and recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene.   From county staff working around the clock to residents stepping up to help their neighbors, the cleanup effort showed what’s possible when everyone shares a common goal.  We also highlight the recognition Columbia County has received for these efforts, the lessons we’ve shared with other counties and ways residents can stay informed during severe weather emergencies with our HyperReach emergency notification system.  Join us today as we take a look back at resilience, teamwork, and the importance of staying prepared.

    28 min
See All (13)

About

Columbia County's guide to news, voices, and perspectives hosted by Scott Johnson, County Manager for Columbia County, Georgia.

Information

  • Creator
    Columbia County, GA
  • Years Active
    2k
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Columbia County, GA
  • Show Website
    The County Compass

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