Document Columbiacountyga_doc_0fae726389

COLUMBIA COUNTY -GEORGI W%3&B*BB?- 2= m S: wm F r I KB!8 PPP if - f-t I 1' IS M3B2 1 r :ss ! L — — * K - 3= Is 7 iffl - £ £ i- f - -4 ~ - s - H MIPtML QQMreyiMIMI (FDD^ JMCIMLIMUFOIMT (OOQJUtMHEQ^0OWRI GEORGIA rami BMM& «130,2023 ---PAGE BREAK--- Columbia County, Georgia COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 Prepared by: Internal Services Leanne C. Reece, CPA Director of Internal Services 3 COLUMBIA COUNTY twEORGI A Community of Pride • A County of Vision • Endless Opportunities P R O F E S S I O N A L I S M •R E S P E C T•I N T E G R I T Y•O E O I C A T I O N •E X C E L L E N C E ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GA Annual Financial Report Year Ended June 30, 2023 Table of Contents INTRODUCTORY SECTION Letter of Transmittal 1-14 Principal Officials 15 Organizational Chart 16-17 Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting 18 FINANCIAL SECTION Report of Independent Auditor 19-21 Management’s Discussion and Analysis 22-37 Basic Financial Statements 38 Government-wide Financial Statements 39 Statement of Net Position 40 Statement of Activities 41-42 Fund Financial Statements 43 Balance Sheet – Governmental Funds 44 Reconciliation of the Balance Sheet of the Governmental Funds to the Statement of Net Position 45 Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balances – Governmental Funds 46 Reconciliation of the Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balances of Governmental Funds to the Statement of Activities 47 General Fund – Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balances – Budget and Actual 48 Fire Services Fund – Statement of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances – Budget and Actual 49 American Rescue Plan Fund – Statement of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances – Budget and Actual_ 50 Statement of Net Position – Proprietary Funds 51 Statement of Revenues, Expenses and Changes in Net Position – Proprietary Funds 52 Statement of Cash Flow – Proprietary Funds 53 Statement of Fiduciary Net Position 54 Statement of Changes in Fiduciary Net Position 55 Notes to Financial Statements 56-98 Required Supplementary Information: Schedule of Changes in Net OPEB Liability and Related Ratios - OPEB Health Care Plan 99 Schedule of Proportionate Share of the New Pension Liability - Employees' Retirement System 100 Schedule of Contributions-Employees' Retirement System - Board of Health 101 Notes to Required Supplementary Information - Employees' Retirement System - Board of Health 102 Combining and Individual Fund Financial Statements 103 General Fund by Object __104 Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balance – Budget and Actual 105-111 Nonmajor Governmental Funds 112 Combining Balance Sheet – Nonmajor Governmental Funds 113 Combining Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balances – Nonmajor Governmental Funds 114 Combining Balance Sheet – Nonmajor Special Revenue Funds 115-119 Combining Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balances – Nonmajor Special Revenue Funds 120-124 Combining Balance Sheet – Nonmajor Capital Projects Funds 125 Combining Statement of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balance – Nonmajor Capital Projects Funds 126 Combining Balance Sheet – Nonmajor Debt Service Funds 127 Combining Statement of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances – Nonmajor Debt Service Funds 128 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GA Annual Financial Report Year Ended June 30, 2023 Table of Contents (continued) FINANCIAL SECTION (continued) Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balance – Budget and Actual Nonmajor Special Revenue Funds: Building Standards Fund 129 Library Board Fund 130 Recreation Advisory Board 131 Street Lights Fund 132 911 Fund 133 Opioid Settlement Fund 134 Drug Abuse Treatment Fund 135 Supplemental Juvenile Services Fund 136 Jail Fund 137 Accountability Court 138 DA Asset Forfeitures 139 DA Victims Assistance 140 DA Welfare Fraud 141 Federal Asset Sharing Fund 142 State Condemnation Fund 143 Lodging Tax Fund 144 Multiple Grant Fund 145 2020 Generator Grant 146 Sheriff’s Gifts and Donations Fund 147 Insurance Premium Tax Fund 148 Community Events Fund 149 Memorial Wall Fund 150 Georgia Superior Court Clerk’s Authority Fund 151 Law Library Fund 152 TSPLOST 25% Discretionary Fund 153 Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balance – Budget and Actual Debt Service Funds 154-157 Nonmajor Enterprise Funds 158 Combining Statement of Net Position – Nonmajor Enterprise Funds 159 Combining Statement of Revenues, Expenses and Changes in Net Position – Nonmajor Enterprise Funds 160 Combining Statement of Cash Flows – Nonmajor Enterprise Funds 161 Nonmajor Internal Service Funds 162 Combining Statement of Net Position – Nonmajor Internal Service Funds 163 Combining Statement of Revenues, Expenses and Changes in Net Position – Nonmajor Internal Service Funds 164 Combining Statement of Cash Flows – Nonmajor Internal Service Funds 165 Custodial Funds 166 Combining Statement of Fiduciary Net Position - Custodial Funds 167 Combining Statement of Changes in Fiduciary Net Position – Custodial Funds 168 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) Funds 169 Schedule of SPLOST Program 2011-2016 170 Schedule of SPLOST Program 2017-2022 171 Schedule of SPLOST Program 2023-2028 172 STATISTICAL SECTION – UNAUDITED Financial Trends: Net Position by Component – Last Ten Fiscal Years 173 Changes in Net Position – Last Ten Fiscal Years 174-175 Fund Balances of Governmental Funds – Last Ten Fiscal Years 176 Changes in Fund Balances of Governmental Funds – Last Ten Fiscal Years 177 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GA Annual Financial Report Year Ended June 30, 2023 Table of Contents (concluded) STATISTICAL SECTION – UNAUDITED (continued) Revenue Capacity: Assessed and Estimated Actual Value of Property – Last Ten Calendar Years 178 Property Tax Levies and Collections – Last Ten Calendar Years 179 Property Tax Rates – Direct and Overlapping – Last Ten Calendar Years 180 Principal Property Taxpayers 181 Taxable Sales by Category – Last Ten Calendar Years 182 Sales Tax Rates – Last Ten Calendar Years 183 Sales Tax Revenue Payers by Industry 184 Debt Capacity: Ratios of Outstanding Debt by Type – Last Ten Fiscal Years 185 Ratios of General Bonded Debt Outstanding Legal Debt Margin – Last Ten Fiscal Years 186 Direct and Overlapping Governmental Activities Debt 187 Pledged Revenue Coverage – Last Ten Fiscal Years 188 Demographic and Economic Information: Demographic and Economic Statistics – Last Ten Calendar Years 189 Principal Employers – Current Year and Nine Years Ago 190 Full-time Equivalent County Government Positions by Function – Last Ten Fiscal Years 191 Operating Information: Operating Indicators by Function – Last Ten Fiscal Years 192 Capital Asset Statistics by Function – Last Ten Fiscal Years 193 Revenue Bonds Disclosure 194 Water and Sewerage 195-200 General Obligation Bonds Disclosure 201-207 SINGLE AUDIT SECTION Report of Independent Auditor on Internal Control over Financial Reporting and on Compliance and other Matters Based on an Audit of the Financial Statements Performed in Accordance with Government Auditing Standards 208 Report of Independent Auditor on Compliance for each Major Program and on Internal Control over Compliance Required by the Uniform Guidance 209-210 Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards 211 Notes to the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards 212 Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs 213 COMPLIANCE SECTION Report of Independent Accountant 214 Certification of 911 Expenditures 215-217 ---PAGE BREAK--- INTRODUCTORY SECTION ---PAGE BREAK--- PO Box 498 630 Ronald Reagan Drive Evans, Georgia 30809 phone: [PHONE REDACTED] fax: [PHONE REDACTED] www.columbiacountyga.gov December 15, 2023 To the Honorable Chairman, Members of the Board of Commissioners, and Citizens of Columbia County, Georgia: The Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) of Columbia County, Georgia, (the County) for the year ended June 30, 2023, was prepared by the Columbia County Finance Department and is hereby submitted. This ACFR is being formally submitted as required by the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, Section 36-81-7 and Rule 15c2-12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. To the best of our knowledge and belief, the enclosed data are accurate in all material respects and are reported in a manner designed to present fairly the financial position and results of operations of the County as measured by the financial activity of its various funds. All disclosures necessary to enable the reader to gain a reasonable understanding of the County's financial affairs have been included. Responsibility for both the accuracy of the data and the completeness and fairness of the presentation, including all disclosures, rests with the County. Management of the County is responsible for establishing and maintaining an internal control structure designed to ensure that adequate accounting data are compiled to allow for the preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) that are free of any material misstatements. Because cost/benefit considerations, the risk of management override, and the risk of collusion are inherent limitations on any system of internal control, the internal control process is designed to provide reasonable, but not absolute, assurance that this objective is met. Cherry Bekaert LLP, Certified Public Accountants, have issued an unmodified (“clean”) opinion on the County’s financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2023. The Report of Independent Auditor is located at the front of the financial section of this report. GAAP require that management provide a narrative introduction, overview, and analysis to accompany the basic financial statements in the form of Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A). This letter of transmittal is designed to complement MD&A and should be read in conjunction with it. The County’s MD&A can be found immediately following the report of the independent auditor. PROFILE OF THE GOVERNMENT The County, established in 1790 and named in honor of Christopher Columbus, is located in the Central Savannah River Area of Georgia approximately 135 miles east of Atlanta and five miles northwest of Augusta/Richmond County. The 290 square mile county is bounded on the north by Thurmond Lake and the Savannah River (separating the County from Lincoln County, Georgia, and McCormick and Edgefield Counties, South Carolina), on the south and east by Augusta/Richmond County, Georgia, and on the west by McDuffie County, Georgia. 1 ---PAGE BREAK--- A five-member Board of Commissioners (the Board) governs the County. The Board is comprised of one chairman, elected county wide, and four commissioners, each elected from a separate commission district serving four-year staggered terms. A County Manager, who is appointed by and responsible to the Board, directs the daily operation of the County. Services provided to the approximately 163,500 residents include: public safety (Sheriff’s Office, detention center, E911, fire), emergency services, community services, public works, planning and development, and other general governmental services. The County also provides water, sewer, and storm water services to the public. FINANCIAL REPORTING ENTITY The financial reporting entity includes all activities and functions of the primary government Columbia County, Georgia) as well as all related component units, if any. “Financial Accountability” is the benchmark used to determine which legally separate entities represent component units of the primary government. Blended component units, although legally separate entities, are, in substance, an integral part of the primary government’s operations and, therefore, are included as part of the primary government. The Development Authority of Columbia County (DACC), the Columbia County Board of Health (CCBOH), the Columbia County Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Greater Clarks Hill Regional Library are reported as discretely presented component units in the combined financial statements to emphasize that they are legally separate from the primary government and to differentiate their financial positions. The DACC serves to promote, pursue, and implement economic development in the County. The CCBOH serves to operate the public health department of the County. The provides convention and tourist promotion services for the benefit of the County. The is a regional library system servicing the County, Warren County, GA, Burke County, GA, and Lincoln County, GA, with the County as its headquarters. LOCAL ECONOMY Columbia County is evidence of what quality leadership with vision is capable of fostering. The local government and board of education have created an environment that is inviting to residents moving within the region or across the United States, as well as a healthy variety of businesses. As a result, the County offers a remarkable quality of life, exceptional education resources and numerous reasons for businesses to thrive locally. The pro-business, minimally bureaucratic, and family-friendly climate is accredited for the continued rapid growth within our community of endless opportunities and pride. Our leadership is further credited for the County’s resiliency and recovery in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2010, the County has grown an average of 2.5% annually to an estimated 163,500 residents. No other county in the region is currently experiencing this intensity of growth. Rapid job creation, a high standard of living, and recreational amenities have led to the County’s frequent recognition in nationwide surveys like NerdWallet, CNN Money, and Family Circle. Most recently, Martinez was recognized as the #21 Best Place to Live in the United States for 2021 by Money Magazine! This is quite remarkable given that Evans was recognized in 2020 as the #1 Best Place to Live. Columbia County as a whole is thriving! In 2012, the Transportation Improvement Act (TIA) of 2010 was approved in the CSRA, which included Columbia County. The 10-year, one percent additional sales tax began on January 1, 2013, and has gone great in addressing our infrastructure needs. In June 2020, the 13-county region voted to renew the T-SPLOST, extending the sales tax another decade through 2033. This renewal will enable additional infrastructure investments that will work to address the increased demand and further improve our quality of life. 2 ---PAGE BREAK--- Population Growth. History shows as our population grows, so does the opportunity for our businesses. We expect nothing different as we look to our promising future. Columbia County’s population grew from 124,934 in 2010 to 156,010 in 2020 with estimates predicting 163,618 residents before the end of 2023. The County grew 20% in the last ten years alone; recent estimates from the US Census indicate that Columbia County is the 2nd fastest growing county in the state with a population that exceeds 100,000 residents. Columbia County is projected to grow 1.09% annually through 2027, while Georgia is projected to only grow 0.51% annually. Many attribute this growth to a stable economy with a diverse mix of education, industrial, medical, military and government employers that offer competitive incomes and stability. Growth is expected to continue given the ongoing development and revitalization within the County and across the Augusta Metro Region. Development. As one of the fastest growing counties in the United States, new developments and opportunities are springing up across the County. Retail developments established over the past few years are filling out, bringing exciting new tenants to the area. Phase II of Mullins Colony now has tenants like Apricot Boutique and Club Pilates. Comparable progress continues within the retail and restaurant sectors in areas like the Gateway Square, Riverwood Town Center, and The Plaza. New national brand restaurants, including Starbucks and Tropical Smoothie Cafe, and local specialty shops, including Fresco Cafe, Banh Mi Dang, Healthy Hub, Vampire Penguin, Vibe Smoothie Bar, and Whipped Creamery, have all opened spaces in Columbia County. New assisted living and medical facilities now stand prominently on Fury’s Ferry Road, providing increased medical care closer to home. Columbia County’s new $32 million state- of-the-art Performing Arts Center officially opened in 2021 and has had a wonderful Broadway season. Construction began in early 2022 of the 300-unit luxury apartment complex with 10,000 SF of retail space in The Plaza, and is scheduled to be completed in 2024, along with additional retail and commercial space in the plaza that now houses Miran and Goat Kick Coffee. The Farmer’s Market is also currently under construction in The Plaza. Construction continues to be a major theme for Columbia County as existing businesses expand and new businesses locate. Construction of roads for Phase II of the Development Authority of Columbia County’s White Oak Business Park should be completed by March 2024, allowing an additional 150 acres to be accessible for future development. Club Car announced an expansion of its facility in the White Oak Business Park in October 2023 of 105,000 SF with a capital investment of approximately $7 million. Serta Simmons Bedding expanded into a second 100,000 SF facility that will support additional production lines and warehousing efforts. GIW Industries is also actively constructing an additional 70,000 SF facility that will support many uses. The continuous growth has allowed Columbia County to see more than 3,000,000 SF of industrial space added since 2019. High volumes of project inquiries show promise for this next year. 3 ---PAGE BREAK--- Incredible growth was seen elsewhere in the County. Local option sales tax continues a modest annual growth rate of 3.5%. The Columbia County Board of Education also has many capital improvement projects underway; a 315,000 SF multi-purpose space has received a complete renovation, which houses facility maintenance, technology, and transportation departments. Two middle schools are also receiving additions. Major sporting tourism events were a cause for celebration this year. Events like the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Men’s Soccer Championship, the National Junior College Athletic Association Division 1 and 2 Women’s Soccer Championships, and the BMX Regional Championships all brought thousands of visitors and spectators to the community, all having their individual economic impacts to our hospitality industry. In October 2023, Fort Gordon was redesignated as Fort Eisenhower. Aggressive growth continues with both the US Army Cyber Command Headquarters and the Cyber Center of Excellence at Fort Eisenhower. The installation has grown 20% since 2012, reaching a total economic impact of $2.7 billion and exceeding 34,000 direct civilian, contract, and defense jobs within our community. A new housing development is to be constructed consisting of 76 three- and four-bedroom townhomes for junior enlisted service members. Much of the expected personnel have already made the transition to this area. Based on historical norms, more than 65% of military children related to Fort Eisenhower are educated in Columbia County. This growth prompted the need for a new and better entrance to Fort Eisenhower. This new $33 million dollar Gate 6 opened in October of 2021. The continued growth promoted the need for a new I-20 interchange and connector into Fort Eisenhower. The GDOT planning department has already added a project to the TIP for the Louisville interchange consisting of $3.2 million in federal funds and $800k in state funds. Cyber Education continues to spark interest and innovation in education. Fort Eisenhower continues to be this region’s number one employer with plans to add almost $2 billion of construction projects to the installation over the next ten years. The long-term impact of the cyber security industry in the community shows promise including all of the economic growth that will come with the demands of this new workforce. The County remains optimistic that we will see a new hospital constructed at the Gateway Center in Grovetown. After several rounds of appeals, the Certificate of Need remains with Wellstar MCG Augusta who plans to build one of the most technologically advanced hospitals in the nation right here in Columbia County, GA. With the establishment of the Hospital Authority of Columbia County in 2023 and the issuance of approximately $337 million of revenue anticipation certificates, we expect to see construction begin within the next calendar year. The addition of the new hospital remains another potential catalyst for progress, research, and collaboration. The Technical College System of Georgia and Governor Brian Kemp has also pledged $2.7 million toward the design of a new manufacturing and engineering technology training facility to be located in Columbia County. This will better serve our existing industries, not only in Columbia County but throughout the CSRA, as well as foster growth for new industries to locate to our region. Fortunately, the County is progressive in keeping up with the influx of residents, visitors, and opportunity. Continued growth in the existing industries and regional assets will force the community leaders to remain proactive, strategically planning to preserve the quality of life enjoyed by Columbia County residents. (Data Sources: US Census, Woods & Poole, ESRI) 4 ---PAGE BREAK--- MAJOR INITIATIVES Columbia County CTAE Workforce Showcase. Columbia County, in partnership with the Columbia County Board of Education and the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce, hosted its 3rd annual local competition for high school students in Career, Technical and Agriculture Education (CTAE) Pathway Programs. The County decided to expand the first year’s successful event, which included only the Automotive Pathway Program, to include all CTAE programs that are offered at two or more of the County’s high schools. The competition consisted of individual events that allowed the students to showcase their own talents as well as team competitions. A job fair was included so that local businesses could see the talent of the students and the students could get knowledge of types of jobs available for their particular skill/interest. Prizes were offered for winners of the individual events/team competitions. Columbia County Fire and Emergency Services (CCFES) • Fire Rescue. CCFES, with the support of County Management and the Board, has completed the design and began construction on replacing Fire Station #2 on Gibbs Road. The new station will have three apparatus bays and advanced technologies to enhance firefighter safety. CCFES has also submitted orders for two replacement engines and one heavy rescue from funds available through the 2017-2022 SPLOST and other funding resources. • Fire Rescue Training Division. CCFES Training Division has developed training competencies based on national standards for all personnel. The Fire Training Division has developed an Officer Development Program for aspiring officers and a Relief Driver and Relief Officer Program to allow employees to grow for future advancement. The EMS training division completed two EMT courses with a 98% pass rate and hosted two regional Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) classes in conjunction with the Georgia Association of EMS. The EMS Training Division also implemented annual competency evaluations for all EMS personnel. CCFES personnel had eight personnel graduate from the Paramedic School at Augusta University, with four additional signed up for the next course. • Dive Team. CCFES had four dive personnel to complete the Dive Master, ten personnel earn Public Safety Diver, and one to achieve the Dive Master certification through the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI). These courses are advanced-level certifications. CCFES Dive Team also completed a boat operator and trailer operator course for personnel. • Swift Water Training. CCFES Swift Water Response Team has added a second inflatable rescue boat for quick deployment on an additional rescue unit. The team has also conducted training with engine company personnel to support operations during a swift water rescue. • EMS Response. CCFES has increased its advanced life support capabilities by carrying advanced cardiac life support medications on three Rescue Units and four additional support vehicles. CCFES, in coordination with Gold Cross EMS, is assuming dispatch duties of EMS transport ambulances. This will integrate first responder units with Gold Cross EMS units to have direct interoperable communications. • Joint Operations Support. CCFES and Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) personnel have purchased new portable radios to increase the safety of first responder personnel. These radios will allow teams to maintain communications outside the County system’s range or during a disaster if the County’s system becomes unavailable and provide GPS location tracking for all personnel. Also, the CCFES and CCSO Unmanned Aerial Task Force have responded to over 40 search and rescue or support missions. 5 ---PAGE BREAK--- Columbia County Water Utility (CCWU). • CCWU is working to provide additional sewer to locations along Euchee Creek by installing a sewer force main system and three lift stations. This system will add additional capacity at the White Oak Industrial Park and other areas along the Euchee Creek Corridor. The system will have a max capacity of nearly 3 million gallons per day (MGD). This project is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2025, with the total cost estimated to be $13.5 million. • CCWU is working to install a gravity sewer system along Little Kiokee Creek. This gravity system will allow the removal of three sewer lift stations. The gravity system will flow into the aforementioned sewer force main along Euchee Creek. This project will be completed by the fourth quarter of 2025. • CCWU is working to eliminate a small, antiquated wastewater treatment plant and provide gravity sewer to process sewer at a large regional plant. The gravity sewer will be approximately 8.8 miles in length and have capacity for 2.2 MGD of sewer. The total project cost is anticipated to be $14 million and is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2026. • Other projects include: o Kiokee Creek Water Pollution Control Plant Expansion. This project will increase the plant capacity to 0.75 MGD and improve our service to the White Oak Industrial Park. The total project cost is anticipated to be $10.7 million and is expected to be completed in 2026. o Sugar Creek Booster Station and Waterline. This project will increase water capacity along the Gateway Blvd corridor as well as provide support to the existing 650’ water system. This project is anticipated to be $5 million and is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2025. o Reed Creek Sewer Rehabilitation. CCWU is currently working with a consulting engineer to produce a plan to allow for infrastructure protection activities in the Reed Creek Basin. The projects resulting from the ongoing study could be carried out over the next decade and could cost up to $65 million. o Clarks Hill Chemical Upgrades. CCWU is currently working with consultants to upgrade the plant hypochlorite generation system. This system will eliminate the need to purchase hypochlorite and prepare for future plant expansions. This project is anticipated to cost $3 million and should be completed in in the fourth quarter of 2025. Emergency Management Agency (EMA). The Columbia County EMA conducted multiple outreach projects over the past year to include hosting emergency management related events for partner agencies throughout the CSRA. EMA will again conduct multiple volunteer training programs throughout the next year to include Storm Spotter Training with the National Weather Service, Stop the Bleed® training in a partnership with Gold Cross EMS, and other community safety classes in conjunction with Risk Management, the CCFES and the CCSO. Specifically, EMA will launch a Community Awareness and Preparedness Program (CAPP) for citizens. The first several classes will be comprised of County Employees. In April 2023 Columbia County EMA hosted the second “Public Safety and Preparedness Fair” in Evans Towne Center Park. Approximately 40 different County departments and outside partner agencies participated, and an estimated 3,000 citizens attended. The fair focused on providing citizens with their own tools to be prepared should an emergency arise while simultaneously providing an opportunity to showcase Columbia County’s public safety and partner agencies. Planning is already underway for April 20, 2024, when Columbia County EMA will host the third “Public Safety and Preparedness Fair.” 6 ---PAGE BREAK--- Columbia County EMA consistently creates and submits multiple grant applications for different projects. • 2023 Homeland Security Grant Program. Columbia County EMA submitted 2023 Homeland Security Grant Applications totaling $111,900 for the CCFES and the CCSO. If awarded, this grant will provide 100% federal funding to purchase haz-mat equipment for CCFES and a drone, tactical gear and barriers for the CCSO. • 2023 Building Resilient Infrastructure Communities (BRIC) Grant Application. CCWU and EMA in conjunction with the CSRA Regional Commission and GEMA Hazard Mitigation Division will complete an application for the Columbia County Watershed Planning Project (Reed Creek Bank Stabilization) in November/December 2023. Total project cost is estimated at $68,300,000. If awarded, BRIC Grant funding could provide up to $50,000,000 for this project. Columbia County Community Broadband Utility (C3BU). • C3BU will replace fiber optic cable in the utility right of way for several road projects, including Lewiston Road, Horizon South Parkway, Hereford Farm Road, Fury’s Ferry Road, Hardy McManus Road, and the Gateway Boulevard extension. In addition to road projects, C3BU is currently working as a partner with other County departments on various projects of which fiber is a key component, including the Board of Education expansion (schools and stadiums), multiple parks, several lift stations for the CCWU, and the CCSO Administration Building. • C3BU has taken steps in the past year to enhance its Disaster Recovery (DR) capability and has also performed extensive maintenance activities to ensure our network performance is solid and that we are protected from natural and man-made disasters. DR servers are operational at the DR site, and the process is in motion to enable internet access through the DR site to provide redundant connections to the internet. C3BU is also in the process of upgrading the core routers and switches, which will enable the important DR functions of resiliency and redundancy to C3BU’s network. • C3BU continues to work with business partners to expand the network to reach unserved, mostly rural, areas of the County. The goal is to build strategic relationships with partners that will utilize the extensive infrastructure to provide Fiber to the Home (FTTH) Gigabit Internet service to Columbia County residents. • C3BU is working with other County departments to move forward with the construction of a new broadband tower site, a SPLOST–funded project that will enhance C3BU’s ability to provide service to rural areas of the County. Cybersecurity Strategy. The Technology Services Division is managing an ongoing, evolving, and flexible strategy for the County’s cybersecurity, with the primary goal of ensuring that information stored on County systems is secure and protected from intrusion. This initiative is a combination of multiple projects that span the breadth of the information security discipline, and is described in the County’s Information Security Policy, asset management policies and a robust and ongoing Information Security Awareness Program. This ongoing initiative continues to move forward with several key objectives: • Assess our environment to determine the threats that exist and the assets that we need to protect. • Put procedures, controls, equipment, and training into place to protect technology assets. • Improve means of detecting intrusions, anomalies, and events through continuous monitoring. • Test and assess the Security Incident Response Policy, which establishes means to identify, protect, detect, respond, and recover from cybersecurity incidents. • Continue our robust and successful phishing campaigns and classes which have increased employee awareness about the challenges of security at an individual level. Information Technology (IT). • IT is the lead agency in coordinating the County’s capability for deploying digital cameras for traffic management and security. IT is involved in multiple projects that will enhance public safety using equipment and services that serve as efficiency measures and force multipliers for multiple 7 ---PAGE BREAK--- departments, including Traffic Engineering and the CCSO. The use of cameras and behind-the- scenes technology enables more effective management of traffic flows and more intelligent searches for visual information. The focus of this year’s efforts will be on the replacement of obsolete cameras with new cameras with better capabilities. • IT is at the forefront of audio-visual improvements in the Columbia County Justice Center. The department has nearly completed the process of upgrading Audio Visual (A/V) systems in the courtrooms, which will provide the Columbia Judicial Circuit with the capability to use modern A/V tools, cameras, and audio technology. The new tools have replaced an older system that was a blend of different eras and types of technology, some of which date back to the construction of the Justice Center in the early 2000’s. This project will be completed in the 4th quarter of 2023. • A vendor has been selected to provide the County with improved permitting, planning, and licensing software. IT worked with several customer departments to assemble specific requirements for a new software solution, with the intention of selecting a robust package that will meet staff needs and provide a first-class customer/public. The software is expected to be implemented in the summer of 2024. • IT is working diligently to enhance its DR capability to ensure that the County can recover from a man-made or natural event that damages or destroys the primary data center. This SPLOST-funded project will result in the acquisition/construction of a site that will serve as a backup data center. A vendor has been selected to build the solution, and construction should be completed in the 1st quarter of 2024, with final implementation of equipment taking place in the following months. • IT is working closely with the CCWU to implement a new customer information system (CIS) that will replace an aging AS/400 application with a modern solution that will enable more efficient internal processes, better reporting, and customer interface tools. This project should be completed in the spring of 2024. • IT is working to upgrade and enhance its own infrastructure with two significant projects: o Upgrade the County’s Wireless Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) infrastructure. The County continues to expand the public wireless network, as upgrades to the supporting infrastructure are essential for expected growth. o Upgrade the County’s Cisco Identify Services Engine Infrastructure. This infrastructure performs various functions related to network administration. Improved performance will be noticed when new appliances are installed and operational. These enhanced security features can provide increased security of both the internal and public networks. Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The GIS Department is working on multiple initiatives intended to enhance Columbia County’s GIS capability and further integrate GIS with other County systems. • Cityworks is the County’s asset management and work order system. GIS has completed a major upgrade to system hardware and is actively working on expanding the usage and availability of the Cityworks product to support several departments, including Recreation, Maintenance, C3BU, and CCWU. Cityworks includes, but is not limited to, functions like asset management, inspections, service requests, and work orders, supporting multiple critical functions across the County government. • Geospatial services are designed to bring a rich visual aspect to data presentations, and are key factors in planning, trending, and historic analysis. GIS has expanded the visual presentation beyond paper maps to include dynamic and intuitive tools for data representation. Some of these tools include 3D modeling, GIS Web Data Services, Business Software integrations, and public/citizen engagement programs. • GIS is in the process of completing a major digital oblique orthophotography initiative. The aerial flight for 2023 has resulted not only in new oblique digital orthophotography (pictures taken at a 45-degree angle that have coordinates that can be tied to the Earth ‘s surface), but also includes new planimetric layers (features that can be seen from the air). The County will be receiving new geodatabase layers for roads, edges of pavement, buildings, and bodies of water, among several 8 ---PAGE BREAK--- others. The staff is currently conducting quality assurance/quality control activities, and the expected result will be a much more recent, accurate, and complete set of data that decision-makers and staff members will have at their disposal when addressing matters of importance to the County and its citizens. • GIS is responsible for the management of the County’s Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Program, which focuses on all County business uses of UAS, also known as “drones”. GIS is one of the largest departmental users of UAS products in daily operations. The department provides the County with aerial photography services, site and easement documentation, damage assessment, and search & rescue support. GIS is also taking a leadership role in UAS use among governments and is actively reaching out to educational institutions to expand the knowledge of this interesting and very useful technology. Parks, Recreation, & Events. The County continues to experience record setting numbers of participants registered for youth sports each season. An increase in total participants means constant creative field use to maximize the County Park System. Athletics had over 1,800 games for the Fall 2023 season, an increase of around 20% from the Fall 2022 season. Athletics had another year for record books when it comes to program enrollment and participation. We continued to exceed our record 2021 and 2022 season enrollment and participation numbers by several hundred participants, serving over 8,500 total registrants across all sports. Athletics also completed the process to retain our “Better Sports for Kids Quality Program Provider” certification for another 2-year cycle. This has opened our eligibility to become a member of the distinct group of institutions who are signified as “Excellence in Youth Sports.” Only a select few agencies are awarded this distinction each year and selection is based upon a demonstration of programs, initiatives, or policies that are innovative in the field of youth sports and recreation. Our team is diligently looking at ways that we can institute new strategies to meet the criteria of this award in the 2024 cycle. The Move Columbia County program was developed to provide fitness options to the community utilizing the parks. Community members are encouraged to visit parks with Move Columbia County scanners and participate in challenges by scanning in at these parks. This program has grown into a community- wide partnership to offer fitness classes in the parks and weekend workouts on Saturdays during the Evans Market seasons (Spring and Fall). In addition to our partnerships with gyms, we host a weekly Wellness Wednesday program for home school kids to provide a fun engaging activity and a healthy snack, move challenges that encourage the community to get out and be active in our parks, and quarterly move events where we offer multiple fitness opportunities and a chance for our Move partners to distribute information throughout the community. In 2023 we added Move scanners at 6 additional locations throughout the County allowing for a wider range of community participation. We continue to encourage the community to join the Columbia County MOVEment!!! The Parks, Recreation, and Events Department obtained national accreditation through the National Recreation and Parks Association’s Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). The CAPRA accreditation serves as a validation of Columbia County Parks, Recreation and Events' commitment to excellence and constant improvement. The accreditation affirms the County’s compliance with the best practices of operational management and quality assurance at the national level. Moreover, it is a valuable measure of the quality of the department's operation, management, and service to the community. With only one percent of eligible Park and Recreation agencies accredited, this achievement puts Columbia County in good company with others at the elite level throughout the country. There are currently only 193 accredited agencies nation-wide and 14 accredited agencies in Georgia. 9 ---PAGE BREAK--- Stormwater Utility Fund. The Stormwater Utility Fund was created in 2000 after authorization by the state constitution for local governments to provide stormwater management services and facilities to protect and preserve the public health, safety, and welfare of its natural resources. The EPA’s Federal Clean Water Act placed emphasis on local governments in developing, implementing, conducting, and making available to its citizens the discharge of stormwater runoff through the protection of water quality and reduction of adverse stormwater effects. The stormwater service fee was developed by the County to be fair and reasonable with the rate being $0.1775 per square foot of impervious surface on each property starting at a minimum of 100 square feet. The service fee is billed to citizens owning property in the stormwater fee urbanized area. The Stormwater Fee funds are utilized for the management, monitoring, maintenance of, and improvements to the stormwater utility system and infrastructure. Projects partially or wholly funded through the Stormwater Service Fee include: • The Pass Culvert Replacement Design. This $58,000 design was for the replacement of a double line of 120” corrugated metal pipe (CMP) that conveys Tributary under The Pass (roadway) to an 11’ by 24’ bottomless arched culvert. • Miramar Drive Open Dich to Closed System Design. This $60,000 design was for the conversion of approximately 1,500’ of stormwater drainage ditch to a 48” reinforced concrete pipe (RCP) closed drainage system. • Walton’s Pass Drainage Improvements Design. This $23,000 design was for the placement of additional catch basins within the existing storm system to capture excessive roadway runoff and alleviate flooding issues along Waltons Pass. • Mullins Pond/Butterfield Court/Petersburg Detention Pond Retrofit Designs. These designs, totaling $168,000, are for modifications to three detention ponds to increase capacity and attenuate stormwater discharges during large rain events in order to decrease flooding and erosion along the Reed Creek basin. • Autumn Trail Culvert Replacement. This $249,000 project was for the replacement of an existing triple barrel 48” CMP culvert system with RCP that serves to convey Walton’s Branch below Autumn Trail. • Lakeside Park Green Infrastructure Improvements. This project is part of a Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) 319 Grant to retrofit green infrastructure stormwater practices at Lakeside Park. The project also includes installing new green infrastructure practices, educating the industry, providing local high school students with hands-on learning and experience, and improving the water quality of stormwater runoff into the adjacent Reed Creek. The County contribution of $248,381 (40%) will be funded by the stormwater fee and the remaining $372,500 (60%) will be funded through EPD’s grant contribution. • Reed Creek Basin Study and BRIC grant application. The Stormwater and Water Utility Departments are working together to understand the health and integrity of the sewer systems and stream network within the Reed Creek Basin. Stream bank stabilization and utility system protection needs that are identified are placed into a priority list to proceed through planning and design. This information will then be packaged into a BRIC grant application and submitted to the GEMA. Assistance with this study and compilation of the grant application is being funded by both the Stormwater and Water Utility groups, of which, $47,300 is paid from the stormwater fee. The stormwater service fee continues to provide funding for much needed stormwater infrastructure improvements, maintenance, and management to reduce flooding, improve water quality, and support the growing infrastructure within the County to serve the needs of our citizens. 10 ---PAGE BREAK--- Transportation Improvement Act of 2010 (TIA). TIA was created by the Georgia General Assembly in 2010 which allows regions in the state the opportunity to vote in favor of a 1% sales tax, also known as a “Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax” or "TSPLOST”, to be used as a funding source towards transportation improvements. The TIA program consists of identifying a list of projects proposed to be funded through a 10-year collection period. The lists are compiled by the respective county and city governments in each region and must be approved by the region’s Transportation Roundtable and the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) Program Director. The Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) region includes 13 counties and the cities therein. Voters within the CSRA Region approved our first TSPLOST in July 2012 for a collection period of 2013-2022 and renewed the TSPLOST in June 2020 for an additional ten year collection period of 2023-2032. Of the total funds collected, 75% is for the regional project list approved by the voters (constrained projects) and 25% is for the local governments to use at their discretions towards transportation improvements (unconstrained projects). The discretionary funds continue to be a significant source of funding for Columbia County in meeting our ongoing transportation needs. During its first ten-year period, Columbia County has collected over $25 million in discretionary funds which have been used to fund various traffic signal, sidewalk, intersection, resurfacing, and general transportation improvement projects. TIA projects included in the 2013-2022 constrained project list that will be ongoing in 2024 include: • SR 388 Lewiston Road Widening. The more than $40 million project will widen Lewiston Road to four lanes with a raised median and select left and right turn lanes between Columbia Road and I-20. The project will also add bike/pedestrian facilities along the corridor and convert the existing diamond interchange over I-20 to a diverging diamond interchange to improve traffic flow and operations. The project is under construction and anticipated to be completed in early 2024. • SR 28 Furys Ferry Road Widening. The more than $50 million project will widen Furys Ferry Road to four lanes with a raised median between Evans to Locks Road and Hardy McManus Road and will include the installation of select turn lane widenings and resurfacing from Hardy McManus Road to the state line. The project will also include a multi-use trail and the installation of a roundabout at its intersection with Hardy McManus Road. Construction began the summer of 2021 and is anticipated to be completed in early 2026. • SR 388 Horizon South Parkway Widening. This project will be a continuation of the Lewiston Road alignment and will widen Horizon South Parkway to four lanes with a raised median between I-20 and Road in Grovetown. The project will include pedestrian facilities and intersection upgrades. Construction on the more than $26 million project began in 2023 and is anticipated to be completed in early 2026. • Hardy McManus Road Widening. This $30 million project will widen Hardy McManus Road to include a two-way left turn lane, planted medians, and roundabouts at Dolphin Way, Aylesbury Drive, and Halali Farm Road. Included in the project is the Euchee Creek Greenway extension that will ultimately connect Riverside Park on Hardy McManus Road to the Euchee Creek trail section in Grovetown. Construction is scheduled to start in early 2024. TIA projects included in the 2023-2032 constrained project list that are planned to start in 2024 include: • Resurfacing. Ridge Road, Eubank Drive, Bennett Road, Ray Owens Road, Yelton Road, Shucraft Road, Lonergan Hulme Road, Tubman Road, Hardy McManus Road, Halali Farm Road, Blanchard Road, Pleasant Home Road, Old Trail Road East & West, Southern Pines Drive, Industrial Park Drive, Town Center Drive, Columbia Industrial Blvd, Roswell Drive, Evans to Locks Road and Mullikin Road. 11 ---PAGE BREAK--- LONG-TERM FINANCIAL PLANNING The annual budget for Columbia County, GA, for FY 2024 provides funding to maintain current levels of service, with no increase in the millage rate, while reducing operating costs and capital outlay where possible. The annual budget for all funds totals $356,347,432, reflecting a net increase from the fiscal year 2023 adopted budget of $59,997,846, or 20.2%. This net increase is primarily due to the projected increase in property tax and sales tax revenues, implementation of the 23/28 SPLOST, and the construction/completion of many capital projects during FY 2024. Total General Fund expenditures, excluding the use of reserves, increased by 7.36% from the FY 2023 adopted budget, including a contingency of $2,254,847, or 2.54% of proposed expenditures. New personnel requests within the General Fund include 20 new positions totaling $1,242,127, reclassifications totaling $156,801, and allowance adjustments totaling $5,736, for a grand total of $1,404,664. New capital requests increased from $2,298,384 in FY 2023 to $2,484,351 in FY 2024, an increase of 8.09%. Collections have begun for the 2023/2028 SPLOST, which was renewed by voters in November 2022. Projects within the approved capital improvement plan are being planned and designed. Construction should begin within the next fiscal year. On February 21, 2023, the Board adopted a resolution to create the Hospital Authority of Columbia County (HACC). Recognizing an urgent need for an acute care hospital and related facilities in the County, the HACC was created in part to facilitate the financing of the projects by issuing revenue anticipation certificates. The certificates are limited obligations of the HACC and will be payable solely from pledged revenues available under a trust indenture. Also on February 21, 2023, the Board adopted a resolution requesting legislation to create the Columbia County Public Facilities Authority (CCPFA). Senate Bill 285 of the 2023 Session of the Georgia General Assembly was passed creating the CCPFA. The CCPFA was created to acquire, construct, equip, maintain, and operate certain projects, including buildings and facilities for use by the County, the Columbia County Board of Education, and municipalities within the County. Among other things, the CCPFA is authorized to issue revenue bonds to finance such projects. RELEVANT FINANCIAL POLICIES The accumulation of reserves protects the County from uncontrollable increases in expenditures, extraordinary losses, unforeseen reductions in revenues, or a combination of these items. It also allows for prudent replacement and financing of capital construction and replacement projects. The County shall maintain a General Fund unassigned fund balance of not less than 100 days of operations. This minimum fund balance, which may only be used as required by authority of the Board, is to provide for operating contingencies in either revenues or expenditures, and to provide adequate funds to operate without short-term borrowing. To determine the current funding level, divide the current unassigned fund balance by the result obtained from dividing the annual fund budget by 365 days. In the event the unassigned fund balance falls below the minimum level of 100 days of operations, the County Manager will present a plan to the Board as part of the subsequent fiscal year’s annual budget to replenish the fund balance to the established minimum level in a reasonable time frame, generally 1 to 3 years. Budget surpluses will first be used towards replenishment, followed by the use of non-recurring revenues. 12 ---PAGE BREAK--- Total fund balance, including nonspendable, as of June 30, 2023, equaled 199 days of operations. Net spendable fund balance equaled 180 days of operations. The following criteria shall be used in determining the total amount of fund balance to maintain, unless otherwise specified by legal or contractual requirements. Category Days of Operation Description Min Fund Balance 100 Use funds for unforeseen contingencies BOC Assignments 101-180 May use funds for one-time expenses such as capital acquisition, catastrophic events, one-time transfers to other funds, economic incentives, debt reduction, or millage rate reduction to mitigate unforeseen risks and ensure financial stability Debt/Tax Reduction 181+ Must use funds to reduce debt or designate for future debt service, or to prevent future tax increases or to permit millage rate reduction In keeping with County policy, transfers from the General Fund totaling $27.0 million were made to other funds during FY 2023. Of this amount, $18.8 million was transferred to the Title Ad Valorem Tax Fund. In accordance with Georgia House Bill 386, which became effective on January 1, 2013, the County implemented a one-time title ad valorem tax (TAVT) paid every time the ownership of a vehicle is transferred beginning March 1, 2013. These revenues are accounted for within the General Fund with no restrictions, unlike some sales taxes. A capital projects fund was established to account for proceeds from the TAVT in excess of those being utilized within the General Fund. The County may choose to transfer a portion of these revenues to the capital projects fund annually but is not required to do so. The County plans to transfer more funds to the TAVT fund during FY 2024. The County continues to experience moderate growth each year in the tax digest. Because of this growth, the County has been able to roll back the millage rate for 5 of the past 6 years, in accordance with the above policy. For calendar year 2023, the tax digest for maintenance and operations grew by 13.5% and the millage rate for maintenance and operations was reduced by 0.252 mills. Capital assets are defined by the County as assets with an initial, individual cost of more than $5,000 and an estimated useful life in excess of one year. This minimum capitalization cost is applicable for all categories of capital assets, with the exception of subscription-based information technology arrangements (SBITAs) which are $25,000. Purchased or constructed capital assets are reported at cost or estimated historical cost. Donated capital assets are recorded at their estimated fair value at the date of donation. General infrastructure assets acquired prior to July 1, 2002, consist of the streets network that was acquired or that received substantial improvements subsequent to July 1, 1980. The streets network is reported at estimated historical cost using deflated replacement cost. The cost of normal maintenance and repairs that do not add to the value of the asset or materially extend assets’ lives are expensed as incurred. The County shall develop a multi-year plan for capital improvements, update it annually, and make capital improvements in accordance with the plan. The County shall adopt a long-term funding mechanism for capital projects. The current SPLOST program was renewed by referendum in November 2022. The operating costs associated with any approved capital projects will be analyzed and included in future operating budgets. The County’s current capital improvements plan runs through 2028. 13 ---PAGE BREAK--- ARI)S I) A('KNO\\'LEI)(; E]\IENTS The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) awarded a Certificate of Achievemenl for Excellence in Financial Reporting lo Columbia County, Ceorgia, for its ACFR for the fiscal year ended June 30,2022. This was the twenty-fifth consecutive year that the County achieved this prestigious award. ln order to be awarded a Certificate ofAchievemenl, a govemment must publish an easily readable and efficiently organized ACFR. This report musl satisfy both generally accepted accounting principles and applicable legal requiremenls. A Certificate of Achievemenl is valid for a period of one year only. We believe that our current ACFR continues to meet the Certificate of Achievement Program's requirements and we are submitting it to the GFOA to delermine its eligibilitl' for another certificate. The preparation of lhis report could not have been accomplished wilhout the support and cooperation of elected officials, County administration, other County departments, external auditors, and the efficienl, dedicated efforts ofthe entire staffofthe Finance Department. Credit must be givento the County Manager and the Board of Commissioners for their unfailing support for maintaining the highest standards of professionalism in the management oflhe County's finances. Respectfully submitted, C.Q"-u- Leanne C. Reece. CPA Director of lnlernal Services 14 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA PRINCIPAL OFFICIALS June 30, 2023 ELECTED OFFICIALS BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Chairman Doug Duncan District 1 Connie Melear District 2 Don Skinner District 3 Gary Richardson District 4 Alison Couch CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS Tax Commissioner Wayne Bridges Clerk of Court Cindy Mason Magistrate Court Judge Jason Troiano Probate Court Judge Alice Padgett Sheriff Clay Whittle Coroner Vernon Collins APPOINTED OFFICIALS County Manager Scott Johnson Deputy County Manager Glenn Kennedy Deputy County Manager Matt Schlachter Director of Community and Leisure Services John Luton Director of Development Services Paul Scarbary Director of Technology Services Michael Blanchard Director of Engineering Services Kyle Titus Director of Internal Services Leanne Reece Director of Water Utility Services Stacy Gordon Director of Fire Services Jeremy Wallen Director of Planning Services Scott Sterling County Clerk Patrice Crawley County Attorney Chris Driver 15 ---PAGE BREAK--- 16 ---PAGE BREAK--- 17 ---PAGE BREAK--- 18 ---PAGE BREAK--- FINANCIAL SECTION ---PAGE BREAK--- cbh.com Report of Independent Auditor To the Columbia County Board of Commissioners Columbia County, Georgia Report on the Audit of the Financial Statements Opinions We have audited the accompanying financial statements of the governmental activities, the business-type activities, the aggregate discretely presented component units, each major fund, and the aggregate remaining fund information of Columbia County, Georgia (the “County”), as of and for the year ended June 30, 2023, and the related notes to the financial statements, which collectively comprise the County’s basic financial statements as listed in the table of contents. In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the respective financial position of the governmental activities, the business-type activities, the aggregate discretely presented component units, each major fund, and the aggregate remaining fund information of the County, as of June 30, 2023, and the respective changes in financial position, and, where applicable, cash flows thereof and the respective budgetary comparison for the General Fund, the Fire Services Fund, and the American Rescue Plan Fund for the year then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Basis for Opinions We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America and the standards applicable to financial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards, issued by the Comptroller General of the United States. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements section of our report. We are required to be independent of County and to meet our other ethical responsibilities, in accordance with the relevant ethical requirements relating to our audit. We believe the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinions. Responsibilities of Management for the Financial Statements Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and for the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, management is required to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the County’s ability to continue as a going concern for twelve months beyond the financial statement date, including any currently known information that may raise substantial doubt shortly thereafter. Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinions. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not absolute assurance and, therefore, is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and Government Auditing Standards will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control. Misstatements are considered material if there is a substantial likelihood that, individually or in the aggregate, they would influence the judgment made by a reasonable user based on the financial statements. 19 ---PAGE BREAK--- In performing an audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and Government Auditing Standards, we:  Exercise professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit.  Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, and design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks. Such procedures include examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the County’s internal control. Accordingly, no such opinion is expressed.  Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluate the overall presentation of the financial statements.  Conclude whether, in our judgment, there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the County’s ability to continue as a going concern for a reasonable period of time. We are required to communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit, significant audit findings, and certain internal control related matters that we identified during the audit. Required Supplementary Information Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require that the management’s discussion and analysis, and the other required supplementary information, as listed in the table of contents, be presented to supplement the basic financial statements. Such information is the responsibility of management and, although not a part of the basic financial statements, is required by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board who considers it to be an essential part of financial reporting for placing the basic financial statements in an appropriate operational, economic, or historical context. We have applied certain limited procedures to the required supplementary information in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which consisted of inquiries of management about the methods of preparing the information and comparing the information for consistency with management’s responses to our inquiries, the basic financial statements, and other knowledge we obtained during our audit of the basic financial statements. We do not express an opinion or provide any assurance on the information because the limited procedures do not provide us with sufficient evidence to express an opinion or provide any assurance. Supplementary Information Our audit was conducted for the purpose of forming opinions on the financial statements that collectively comprise the County’s basic financial statements. The accompanying combining and individual nonmajor fund financial statements, schedule of expenditures of special purpose local option sales tax, and schedule of federal awards, as required by Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, are presented for purposes of additional analysis and are not a required part of the basic financial statements. Such information is the responsibility of management and was derived from and relates directly to the underlying accounting and other records used to prepare the basic financial statements. The information has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the basic financial statements and certain additional procedures, including comparing and reconciling such information directly to the underlying accounting and other records used to prepare the basic financial statements or to the basic financial statements themselves, and other additional procedures in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. In our opinion, the combining and individual nonmajor fund financial statements, the schedule of expenditures of federal awards, and the schedule of expenditures of the special purpose local option sales tax are fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the basic financial statements as a whole. 20 ---PAGE BREAK--- Other Information Management is responsible for the other information included in the annual report. The other information comprises the certification of 911 Expenditures, the introductory, and the statistical sections but does not include the basic financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinions on the basic financial statements do not cover the other information, and we do not express an opinion or any form of assurance thereon. In connection with our audit of the basic financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and consider whether a material inconsistency exists between the other information and the basic financial statements, or the other information otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If, based on the work performed, we conclude that an uncorrected material misstatement of the other information exists, we are required to describe it in our report. Other Reporting Required by Government Auditing Standards In accordance with Government Auditing Standards, we have also issued our report dated December 15, 2023, on our consideration of the County’s internal control over financial reporting and on our tests of its compliance with certain provisions of laws, regulations, contracts, and grant agreements and other matters. The purpose of that report is solely to describe the scope of our testing of internal control over financial reporting and compliance and the results of that testing, and not to provide an opinion on the effectiveness of the County’s internal control over financial reporting or on compliance. That report is an integral part of an audit performed in accordance with Government Auditing Standards in considering the County’s internal control over financial reporting and compliance. Augusta, Georgia December 15, 2023 21 ---PAGE BREAK--- MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS 22 ---PAGE BREAK--- Management’s Discussion & Analysis The Management’s Discussion and Analysis of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) of Columbia County, Georgia (the Government) provides an overall narrative and analysis of the Government’s financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023. This discussion and analysis is designed to look at the Government’s financial performance as a whole. Readers should also review the additional information provided in the transmittal letter, which can be found preceding this narrative, and the complete financial statements, with notes, which follow this narrative, to enhance their understanding of the Government’s financial performance. Financial Highlights Key financial highlights of the Primary Government for the year ended June 30, 2023, are as follows: • The Government’s assets and deferred outflows of resources exceeded liabilities and deferred inflows of resources by $939.3 million (net position). Of this amount, $105.7 million (unrestricted net position) may be used to meet the Government’s ongoing obligations to residents and creditors. • The Government’s total net position increased by $82.7 million, primarily due to an increase in property tax and sales tax revenues and the continued diligence of County departments in controlling their expenditures. • Combined revenue totaled $280.1 million of which governmental activities totaled $219.7 million and business-type activities totaled $60.4 million. • Overall expenses totaled $197.4 million of which governmental activities totaled $150.2 million and business-type activities totaled $47.2 million. • The Government’s governmental funds reported combined ending fund balances of $221.0 million, an increase of approximately $18.2 million from the prior year, primarily due to an increase in property tax revenues and the timing of special purpose local option sales tax (splost) collected versus project expenditures. Approximately 18.8% of this total amount, or $41.5 million, is available for spending at the Government’s discretion (unassigned fund balance). • At June 30, 2023, unassigned fund balance for the General Fund was $44.4 million, or 54.6% of total General Fund expenditures for the fiscal year and 85.6% of total General Fund fund balance. • The Government’s enterprise funds reported a combined net position of $366.9 million, an increase of $13.1 million from the prior year. Approximately 11.1% of this total amount, or $40.7 million, is unrestricted. • Total outstanding long-term debt, excluding compensated absences, the OPEB liability, and the liability for landfill closure/postclosure care costs, decreased by approximately $14.2 million primarily due to the reduction in outstanding principal on existing debt. 23 ---PAGE BREAK--- Overview of the Financial Statements This discussion and analysis is intended to serve as an introduction to the Government’s basic financial statements. The basic financial statements consist of three components: 1) government-wide financial statements, 2) fund financial statements, and 3) notes to the financial statements. The basic financial statements present two different views of the Government through the use of government-wide statements and fund financial statements. In addition to the basic financial statements, this report contains other supplemental information that will enhance the reader’s understanding of the financial condition of the Government. Required Components of Annual Financial Report Figure 1 Summary Detail Basic Financial Statements The first two statements in the basic financial statements are the Government-Wide Financial Statements. They provide both short and long-term information about the Government’s financial status. The next statements are Fund Financial Statements. These statements focus on the activities of the individual parts of the Government. These statements provide more detail than the government-wide statements. There are four parts to the Fund Financial Statements: 1) the governmental funds statements; 2) the budgetary comparison statements; 3) the proprietary fund statements; and 4) the fiduciary fund statements. The next section of the basic financial statements is the Notes to the Financial Statements. The notes explain in detail some of the data contained in those statements. After the notes, supplemental information is provided to show details about the Government’s non-major funds and internal service funds, all of which are added together in one column on the appropriate basic financial statements. Government-Wide Financial Statements The government-wide financial statements provide a broad view of the Government’s operations in a manner similar to a private-sector business. The statements provide both short-term and long-term information about the Government’s financial position, which assists in assessing the economic condition at the end of the fiscal year. These statements are prepared using the flow of economic resources measurement focus and the accrual basis of accounting. This means the statements take into account all revenues and expenses connected with the fiscal year even if cash involved has not been received or paid. The government-wide financial statements include the following two statements: Management’s Discussion and Analysis Basic Financial Statements Government- Wide Financial Statements Fund Financial Statements Notes to the Financial Statements 24 ---PAGE BREAK--- The Statement of Net Position presents information on all of the Government’s assets/deferred outflows and liabilities/deferred inflows, with the difference between the two reported as net position. Over time, increases or decreases in net position may serve as a useful indicator of whether the financial position of the Government is improving or deteriorating. The Statement of Activities presents information showing how the Government’s net position changed during the most recent fiscal year. All changes in net position are reported as soon as the underlying event giving rise to the change occurs, regardless of the timing of related cash flows. Thus, revenues and expenses are reported in this statement for some items that will not result in cash flows until future fiscal periods (e.g. uncollected taxes and earned but unused vacation leave). This statement also presents a comparison between direct expense and program revenues for each function of the Government. The government-wide statements are divided into three categories: 1) governmental activities, 2) business- type activities and 3) component units. The governmental activities include most of the Government’s basic services such as general administration, judicial services, public safety, public works, health and welfare, culture and recreation, and housing and development. Property taxes, local option sales taxes and state and federal grant funds finance most of these activities. The business-type activities are those services that the Government charges a fee to customers in order to provide. These include solid waste management, water and sewerage, storm water, rental facilities, and broadband communications. The final category is component units. The Development Authority of Columbia County (DACC) serves to promote, pursue and implement economic development in the County. The Columbia County Board of Health (CCBOH) is a public health department. The Columbia County Convention & Visitors Bureau provides convention and tourist promotion services within the County. The Greater Clarks Hill Regional Library is a regional library system servicing Columbia County, GA, Warren County, GA, Burke County, GA, and Lincoln County, GA. Although legally separate from the Government, the Government appoints a voting majority of the boards for the DACC, the CCBOH, the and the Matters related to the component units are not included in this discussion and analysis. No separately issued financial statements are available for the DACC, the or the Complete financial statements of the CCBOH may be obtained at the County’s administrative office. The address is as follows: Columbia County, Georgia 630 Ronald Reagan Drive Evans, Georgia 30809 Fund Financial Statements A fund is a grouping of related accounts that is used to maintain control over resources that have been segregated for specific activities or objectives. The Government, like other state and local governments, uses fund accounting to ensure and demonstrate compliance with finance-related legal requirements. The fund financial statements focus on individual parts of the Government, reporting the Government’s operations in more detail than the government-wide statements. All of the funds of the Government can be divided into three categories: governmental funds, proprietary funds and fiduciary funds. These fund categories use different accounting approaches and should be interpreted differently. 25 ---PAGE BREAK--- Governmental Funds Most of the basic services provided by the Government are financed through governmental funds. Governmental funds are used to account for essentially the same functions reported as governmental activities in the government-wide financial statements. However, unlike the government-wide statements, these funds focus on how assets can readily be converted into cash and the amount of funds left at year-end that will be available for spending in the next year. Governmental funds are reported using an accounting method called modified accrual accounting, which focuses on current financial resources. Such information may be useful in evaluating the government’s short-term financing requirements. These statements provide a detailed short- term view of the Government’s finances that assists in determining whether there will be adequate financial resources available to meet the Government’s current needs. The relationship between governmental activities in the government-wide financial statements and the governmental funds financial statements is described in a reconciliation that is a part of the fund financial statements. The Government has four governmental fund types: the General Fund, Special Revenue Funds, Debt Service Funds, and the Capital Projects Funds. Six individual funds are being considered major funds – the General Fund, the Fire Services Fund, the American Rescue Plan Fund, the 2017-2022 SPLOST Fund, the Title Ad Valorem Tax Fund (TAVT) and the Transportation SPLOST Fund. Proprietary Funds The Government has two types of proprietary funds used to account for activities that operate similar to commercial enterprises found in the private sector. Funds that charge fees for services provided to outside customers including other local governments are known as Enterprise Funds. These funds are used to report the same functions presented as business-type activities in the government-wide financial statements. Funds that charge fees for services provided to departments within the reporting government are known as Internal Service Funds. Proprietary funds use the accrual basis of accounting, thus the only reconciling items needed between the government-wide financial statements for business-type activities and the proprietary fund financial statements relate to the elimination of internal service fund activity and interfund indirect cost allocations. The Government has seven enterprise funds: four utilities (Water and Sewerage Fund, Storm Water Utility Fund, Solid Waste Management Fund, and Communications Utility Fund) and three rental facilities (Savannah Rapids Pavilion, the Performing Arts Center, and the Exhibition Center). The Government has six internal service funds: Employee Medical Fund, Risk Management Fund, Customer Service Information Center Fund, Utility Damage Prevention Fund, Fleet Replacement Fund, and Geographic Information Systems Fund. The Water and Sewerage Fund, Storm Water Utility Fund, and Solid Waste Management Fund are the only funds being considered major funds for presentation purposes. Fiduciary Funds The Fiduciary Funds are used to account for assets held by the Government as an agent for individuals, private organizations, other governments, and other Columbia County departments. The Government is responsible for ensuring that the assets reported in these funds are used only for their intended purposes and only by those to whom the assets belong. These funds are not reflected in the government-wide financial statements because the resources are not available to support the Government’s operations or programs. 26 ---PAGE BREAK--- Government-Wide Financial Analysis Net Position Net position may serve over time as one useful indicator of a government’s financial condition. The assets and deferred outflows of the Government exceeded liabilities and deferred inflows by $939.3 million as of June 30, 2023. The largest portion of the Government’s net position, $697.6 million or 74.3%, reflects its investment in capital assets such as land, buildings, equipment, right-to-use leased assets, subscription based information technology arrangements (SBITAs), and infrastructure (road, bridges, sidewalks, water lines and sewer lines, etc.) less any related debt used to acquire those assets that is still outstanding. The Government uses these capital assets to provide services to its citizens; therefore, these assets are not available for future spending. Although the Government’s investment in its capital assets is reported net of related debt, it should be noted that the resources needed to repay this debt must be provided from other sources, since the capital assets themselves cannot be used to liquidate these liabilities. An additional portion of the Government’s net position, $136.0 million or 14.5%, represents resources that are subject to external restrictions on how they may be used. The remaining balance of unrestricted net position, $105.7 million or 11.2%, may be used to meet the Government’s ongoing obligations to citizens and creditors. Several particular aspects of the Government’s financial operations positively influenced the total unrestricted governmental net position:  Continued diligence in the collection of property taxes by maintaining a collection percentage of 99% for real and personal property.  Continued low cost of debt due to the Government’s high bond rating.  Continued maintenance of a 100-day minimum fund balance policy in the General Fund. 2023 2022 2023 2022 2023 2022 246,421,488 $ 222,937,977 $ 70,736,684 $ 74,434,108 $ 317,158,172 $ 297,372,085 $ 429,647,026 396,324,701 371,998,025 363,226,700 801,645,051 759,551,401 Total assets 676,068,514 619,262,678 442,734,709 437,660,808 1,118,803,223 1,056,923,486 Deferred outflows of resources 610,244 653,312 1,467,778 1,591,408 2,078,022 2,244,720 74,833,577 83,795,026 53,794,166 63,654,504 128,627,743 147,449,530 41,166,677 44,198,428 5,518,778 5,070,845 46,685,455 49,269,273 Total liabilities 116,000,254 127,993,454 59,312,944 68,725,349 175,313,198 196,718,803 Deferred inflows of resources 4,918,970 4,353,516 1,319,868 1,505,454 6,238,838 5,858,970 Net investment in capital assets 372,162,519 332,088,980 325,477,859 311,957,663 697,640,378 644,046,643 Restricted 135,225,742 137,985,879 745,385 646,839 135,971,127 138,632,718 Unrestricted 48,371,273 17,494,161 57,346,431 56,416,911 105,717,704 73,911,072 Total net position 555,759,534 $ 487,569,020 $ 383,569,675 $ 369,021,413 $ 939,329,209 $ 856,590,433 $ The Government's Net Position June 30 Figure 2 Business-type Activities Total Net position: Governmental Activities Current and other assets Capital assets Long-term liabilities outstanding Other liabilities 27 ---PAGE BREAK--- Changes in Net Position Governmental Activities. Governmental activities increased the Government’s net position by approximately $68.2 million, thereby accounting for 82.4% of the total growth in the net position of the Government. Key elements of this change are as follows: Governmental Revenues. Taxes continue as the main source of revenue for governmental activities of the Primary Government amounting to 82.3% of total governmental revenues for the year ended June 30, 2023. Property tax revenues for fiscal year 2023 increased by $5.1 million primarily due to an increase in revenues from the title ad valorem tax. Sales and other tax revenues increased by $12.6 million due to continued population and development growth within the county. Governmental Functional Expenses: As reflected in the Government’s Changes in Net Position, the Government expended 46.1% of the governmental appropriations for judicial and public safety functional expenses, which is comparable to the 48.0% expended in the prior year. Thus, the Government continues to commit substantial financial resources for the safety of its citizens. Business-type activities: Business-type activities increased the Government’s net position by approximately $14.5 million, accounting for 17.6% of the total growth in the Government’s net position. Key elements of this increase are as follows:  The Water and Sewerage Fund reported an increase in net position of $6.9 million due to continued operating efficiency of the Fund. Also, capital assets with an acquisition value of $7.6 million were contributed from developers. As the system continues to expand, management is able to control operating costs in connection with establishing rates sufficient to ensure an increase in net position. 657 customers were added to the system during the fiscal year, representing a 1.3% increase in customers.  The Solid Waste Management Fund reported an increase in net position of $4.5 million. The landfill has two cells, both of which are currently closed and no longer accepting waste. Due to revised EPD estimates, the liability for post-closure care costs of the cells decreased by $5.1 million.  The Storm Water Utility Fund reported an increase in net position of $1.6 million primarily due to capital contributions of $2.9 million. 28 ---PAGE BREAK--- 2023 2022 2023 2022 2023 2022 Revenues: Program revenues: Charges for services 16,985,383 $ 16,993,775 $ 48,740,850 $ 49,555,790 $ 65,726,233 $ 66,549,565 $ Operating grants and contributions 2,506,644 4,067,740 413,626 343,390 2,920,270 4,411,130 Capital grants and contributions 16,129,171 9,191,092 10,434,222 7,626,380 26,563,393 16,817,472 General revenues: Property taxes 76,447,333 71,369,280 - - 76,447,333 71,369,280 Sales/other taxes 104,286,321 91,655,041 - - 104,286,321 91,655,041 Revenues from use of money 1,735,866 (2,881,211) (179,681) (2,661,512) 1,556,185 (5,542,723) Gain on sale of assets 1,232 373,343 125 1,444 1,357 374,787 Miscellaneous 1,560,114 1,543,662 1,034,347 1,229,336 2,594,461 2,772,998 Total revenues 219,652,064 192,312,722 60,443,489 56,094,828 280,095,553 248,407,550 Expenses: General government 27,476,973 24,992,459 - - 27,476,973 24,992,459 Judicial system 9,663,804 8,683,398 - - 9,663,804 8,683,398 Public safety 59,479,819 59,597,270 - - 59,479,819 59,597,270 Public works 29,717,507 28,062,613 - - 29,717,507 28,062,613 Health and welfare 1,540,054 1,521,908 - - 1,540,054 1,521,908 Culture and recreation 14,421,268 12,348,726 - - 14,421,268 12,348,726 Housing and development 5,888,491 5,487,540 - - 5,888,491 5,487,540 Interest on long-term debt 1,973,532 1,371,688 - - 1,973,532 1,371,688 Water and sewerage - - 38,525,791 36,281,789 38,525,791 36,281,789 Storm water utility - - 7,631,306 7,229,728 7,631,306 7,229,728 Solid waste management - - (4,005,404) 1,351,434 (4,005,404) 1,351,434 Rental facilities - - 2,499,492 2,411,113 2,499,492 2,411,113 Communications utility - - 2,544,144 2,465,056 2,544,144 2,465,056 Total expenses 150,161,448 142,065,602 47,195,329 49,739,120 197,356,777 191,804,722 Increase in net position before transfers 69,490,616 50,247,120 13,248,160 6,355,708 82,738,776 56,602,828 Transfers (1,300,102) (1,199,143) 1,300,102 1,199,143 - - Increase in net position 68,190,514 49,047,977 14,548,262 7,554,851 82,738,776 56,602,828 Net position, beginning 487,569,020 438,521,043 369,021,413 361,466,562 856,590,433 799,987,605 Net position, ending 555,759,534 $ 487,569,020 $ 383,569,675 $ 369,021,413 $ 939,329,209 $ 856,590,433 $ Activities Activities Total The Government's Changes in Net Position For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30 Figure 3 Governmental Business-type 29 ---PAGE BREAK--- Public safety/Judicial 35.0% General government 13.9% Public works 15.1% Other governmental activities 12.1% Solid waste management -2.0% Water and sewerage 19.5% Storm water utility 3.9% Other business-type activities 2.5% Government-Wide Expenses Sales/other taxes 37.2% Property taxes 27.3% Operating/Capital grants and contributions 10.5% Other general revenues 1.5% Charges for services 23.5% Government-Wide Revenues 30 ---PAGE BREAK--- Financial Analysis of the Government’s Individual Funds The Government uses fund accounting to demonstrate compliance with finance-related legal requirements. Governmental Funds The focus of the Government’s governmental funds is to provide information on near-term inflows, outflows and balances of usable resources. Such information is useful in assessing the Government’s financial requirements. In particular, the assigned/unassigned fund balances may serve as a useful measure of a government’s net resources available for spending at the end of the fiscal year. The combined fund balance of all the governmental funds is $221.0 million, of which $42.0 million, or 19.0%, is assigned and $41.5 million, or 18.8%, is unassigned. General Fund The General Fund is the primary operating fund of the Government. At the end of the current fiscal year, total fund balance of the General Fund was $51.9 million, of which $44.4 million, or 85.6%, was unassigned. A portion of fund balance in the General Fund in the amount of $2.5 million, or 4.8%, is assigned to specific purposes, such as risk management, employee medical costs, and fleet replacement. As a measure of the General Fund’s liquidity, comparing both unassigned and assigned fund balance to total fund expenditures may be useful. As of June 30, 2023, the total of unassigned and assigned fund balance represents 57.7% of total General Fund expenditures. The total fund balance of the General Fund decreased by $8.7 million (14.4%) during the current fiscal year. Key factors contributing to this change are as follows: ♦ Total revenue increased from prior year revenue by $6.5 million, or 7.1%, primarily due to an increase in the fair market value of investments and an increase in tax revenues. ♦ Total expenditures increased from prior year expenditures by $4.8 million, or 6.3%, primarily due to personnel changes, such as promotions, reclassifications, merit increases, and benefit changes. ♦ Total revenues exceeded total expenditures for the fiscal year by $16.4 million. ♦ In maintaining compliance with the Government’s reserve policy, transfers out totaled $27.0 million, an increase of $13.9 million, for completion of capital projects and to cover fund deficits. General Fund Budgetary Highlights During the year ended June 30, 2023, the Government’s financial picture remains impressive. The fiscal year 2023 budget was balanced with no millage rate increase and no reduction in services provided to the citizens. During the year, the Government revised the budget on several occasions. Generally, budget amendments fall into one of five categories: 1) amendments to appropriate fund balance for encumbrances from the prior year; 2) amendments made to adjust the estimates that are used to prepare the original budget resolution once exact information is available; 3) amendments made to recognize new funding amounts from external sources, such as Federal and State grants; 4) increases in appropriations that become necessary to maintain services; and 5) amendments to transfer appropriations between departments. The fifth category has no effect on the final budget and, therefore, is not addressed in this narrative. For example, included in the original budget for the general government function was a contingency in the amount of $2,281,072. During the year, the Government transferred these funds to other functions as needed, having no impact on the total budget. 31 ---PAGE BREAK--- Amendments to the General Fund budget increased revenues, expenditures and other financing sources/(uses) by $23.6 million. Amendments consisted of the following: • An increase in transfers to other funds of $22.5 million, offset with the use of reserves, for completion of capital projects and to cover fund deficits. • Other amendments to functional expenditures were due to the allocation of general overhead or contingency as mentioned above and had an immaterial impact on the total budget. The actual operating revenues for the General Fund were $8.2 million greater than the final budgeted amount (less the use of reserves for transfers of $22.5 million budgeted as other income), primarily due to an increase in property tax and sales tax revenues and an increase in the fair market value of investments. The individual sources within the revenues fluctuated both positively and negatively. Except for these areas, no individual source materially varied from the final budget. As a result of superior budget management by all departments of the Government, actual operating expenditures were less than the final budgeted amount by $4.0 million. For the year, actual expenditures and other financing uses exceeded actual revenues and other financing sources by $8.7 million. Special Revenue Funds The Government uses Special Revenue Funds to account for the proceeds of specific revenue sources that are restricted or committed to expenditure for specified purposes, other than for major capital projects. The Fire Services Fund, a major fund included in the fund financial statements, is used to account for taxes collected in special service districts within the unincorporated area for the purpose of providing fire services. The fund balance as of June 30, 2023, is $597,830, an increase of $571,235 from the previous year, primarily due to an increase in property tax revenues. Another major fund included in the fund financial statements is the American Rescue Plan Fund. This fund is used to account for funds received from multiple grants from the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund in accordance with the American Rescue Plan Act. The fund balance as of June 30, 2023, is $429,148, an increase of $432,632, primarily due to an increase in the fair market value of investments. Most funds received from non-reimbursement grants are currently recognized as unearned as the criteria for revenue recognition has not been met. Capital Projects Funds The Government uses Capital Projects Funds to account for the acquisition and construction of major capital facilities that are not financed by Proprietary Funds. One major fund included in the fund financial statements is the 2017-2022 SPLOST Fund. The proceeds of the 2017-2022 SPLOST are accounted for in this capital projects fund until improvement projects are completed. The fund balance as of June 30, 2023, for the 2017- 2022 SPLOST Fund totals $95.3 million, all of which is held for specific construction and improvement projects and capital acquisitions. The increase in fund balance is due to the timing of the collection of revenues as compared to project expenditures. During fiscal year 2023, sales tax revenues restricted for capital purposes increased by 12.3% from the previous year. 32 ---PAGE BREAK--- Another major fund included in the fund financial statements is the TAVT Fund. Proceeds of the TAVT are first accounted for in the General Fund. Excess funds not needed in the General Fund are transferred into this capital projects fund. Unlike splost funds, these funds can be used at the Government’s discretion. The fund balance as of June 30, 2023, for the TAVT Fund totals $39.5 million. The final major fund included in the governmental fund financial statements is the TSPLOST Fund. The proceeds of the TSPLOST are accounted for in this capital projects fund until improvement projects are completed. The fund balance as of June 30, 2023, for the TSPLOST Fund totals million, due to the timing of the collection of revenues (mostly as government reimbursements) as compared to project expenditures. During fiscal year 2023, TSPLOST revenues increased by 28.3% from the previous year. Enterprise Funds The activities of the Government that render services to the general public on a user charge basis, or that require periodic determination of revenues for public policy, are accounted for as Enterprise Funds. The Government’s enterprise funds provide the same type of information found in the government-wide statements but in more detail. Unrestricted net position of major enterprise funds at the end of the year were: Water and Sewerage Fund, $32.8 million; Solid Waste Management Fund, $(686,748); Storm Water Utility Fund, $9.8 million. The total growth (reduction) in net position for previously mentioned funds was $6.9 million, $4.5 million, and $1.6 million, respectively. Factors concerning the finances of these funds have already been addressed in the discussion of the Government’s business-type activities. 33 ---PAGE BREAK--- Capital Assets and Debt Administration Capital Assets The Government’s investment in capital assets for its governmental and business-type activities as of June 30, 2023, amounts to $801.6 million (net of accumulated depreciation). This investment in capital assets includes land, buildings, improvements, equipment, infrastructure, right-to-use leased assets, SBITAs, and construction in progress. Infrastructure assets are items that are normally immovable and of value only to the Government, such as roads, bridges, streets and sidewalks, drainage systems, and other similar items. Major capital asset transactions during the year include: • Completion of $11.0 million of building projects and $2.1 million of other improvements for governmental activities. • Completion of $7.0 million of utility plant and distribution systems for business-type activities. • Net increase in construction in progress for governmental activities of $14.2 million. • Net increase in construction in progress for business-type activities of $5.1 million. Additional information on the Government’s capital assets can be found in Note 6 of the notes to the financial statements of this report. 2023 2022 2023 2022 2023 2022 Land 83,059,807 $ 77,127,491 $ 3,557,992 $ 2,687,668 $ 86,617,799 $ 79,815,159 $ Buildings 110,391,726 106,308,673 6,878,650 7,374,725 117,270,376 113,683,398 Improvements other than buildings 47,167,436 46,687,012 155,464 180,397 47,322,900 46,867,409 Utility plant and distribution systems - - 207,900,214 208,950,861 207,900,214 208,950,861 Donated subdivisions - - 107,989,344 103,241,997 107,989,344 103,241,997 Storm water systems - - 11,618,714 11,907,951 11,618,714 11,907,951 Infrastructure 103,094,045 91,371,207 10,378,447 10,282,025 113,472,492 101,653,232 Vehicles, machinery and equipment 11,032,682 13,675,730 6,863,930 7,053,806 17,896,612 20,729,536 Right-to-use leased assets 43,149 563,803 30,079 48,126 73,228 611,929 Subscription based assets 102,863 - 28,163 - 131,026 - Construction in progress 74,755,318 60,590,785 16,597,028 11,499,144 91,352,346 72,089,929 Total 429,647,026 $ 396,324,701 $ 371,998,025 $ 363,226,700 $ 801,645,051 $ 759,551,401 $ The Government's Capital Assets (net of depreciation) June 30 Figure 4 Total Governmental Activities Business-type Activities 34 ---PAGE BREAK--- Long-Term Liabilities As of June 30, 2023, the Government had a total of $128.6 million in outstanding long-term liabilities. Of this amount, $59.1 million consists of general obligation debt backed by the full faith and credit of the Government, $47.8 million consists of revenue bonds backed by the revenues of the water and sewerage system, $3.2 million consists of the liability for landfill closure, and $18.5 million in other liabilities. During the year, the Government retired $8.2 million of outstanding general obligation bonds and $4.2 million of outstanding revenue bonds (not including bond premiums). The Government’s Long-Term Liabilities June 30 Figure 5 - 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 G.O. Bonds Revenue Bonds Other L-T Liabilities Millions 2023 2022 Governmental Business-type Activities Activities Total 2023 2022 2023 2022 2023 2022 General obligation bonds 59,067,662 $ 67,740,846 $ - $ - $ 59,067,662 $ 67,740,846 $ Revenue bonds - - 47,773,166 52,630,437 47,773,166 52,630,437 Other liabilities 15,765,915 16,054,180 6,021,000 11,024,067 21,786,915 27,078,247 Total long-term liabilities 74,833,577 $ 83,795,026 $ 53,794,166 $ 63,654,504 $ 128,627,743 $ 147,449,530 $ 35 ---PAGE BREAK--- Bond Ratings Columbia County continues to maintain strong bond ratings with the major credit rating services. In July 2019, the Government prepared comprehensive presentations for Fitch Ratings, S&P Global Ratings, and Moody’s Investors Service rating agencies in an effort to upgrade the current uninsured bond ratings applied to the Government in anticipation of issuing approximately $46.69 million in water and sewerage refunding bonds. The Government received the following ratings for its general obligation debt: Rating Agency: Previous GO Rating: Revised GO Rating: Fitch Ratings AAA AAA Moody’s Investors Service Aaa Aaa Standard and Poor’s AA+ AAA (upgrade) S&P Global Ratings raised its long-term rating to ‘AAA’ from ‘AA+’ for the Government’s general obligation bonds outstanding due to its strong and stable financial position which benefits from conservative budgeting and formal policies and the diverse tax base. AAA is the highest possible bond rating and offers an exceptional degree of credibility. The Government’s ratings for the water and sewerage debt were reaffirmed as follows: Rating Agency: W/S Rating: Fitch AAA Moody’s Investor Services Aa1 Standard and Poor’s AA+ These high ratings are a primary factor in keeping interest costs low on the Government’s outstanding debt. The County will continue to follow prudent fiscal policies and practices in order to maintain its strong credit rating. Debt Limit The State of Georgia limits the amount of general obligation debt that a unit of government can issue to 10% of the net assessed value of taxable property located within that government’s boundaries. The legal debt limit for the Government is $825.0 million and the legal debt margin is $766.0 million. Additional information regarding the Government’s long-term debt can be found in Note 7 of the notes to the financial statements of this report. Economic Factors The Columbia County Board of Commissioners (BOC) have continued to aggressively address the current and future needs of the Government by focusing on sound financial management, financial policies, the use of current resources for capital expenditures, and the development of capital improvement plans. With a growing, diverse population, the challenge is to continue to improve the quality of life by concentrating on the demands placed on the public infrastructure such as transportation, water supply, wastewater treatment, the demands of revitalization of many business areas and the demands of greenspace conservation. The Government is able to maintain low property tax rates and low debt levels, and has increased the reserves so that we can remain a leader and provide the best place to live, work and play. 36 ---PAGE BREAK--- Budget Highlights for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2024 Every year, the Government’s overall goal is to provide essential services to our citizens as cost effectively and professionally as possible. The BOC works diligently to plan for the future while ensuring that current programs and processes are working as smoothly as possible. We continually seek to improve and are pleased that through our fiscal responsibility we are able to make some dreams come into reality. Here are a few of our top goals: 1. Balance budget with a decrease in the millage rate for Columbia County. 2. Begin projects on the approved 23-28 SPLOST list. 3. Continue construction on Fury’s Ferry Road, Flowing Wells Road and Lewiston Road widening projects; these major roadway projects are funded by TSPLOST. 4. Complete construction on Flowing Wells Road and Lewiston Road. 5. Complete construction and upgrades on parks and begin construction on the County’s newest park on Hardy McManus Road. 6. Complete construction of The Market located in The Plaza. 7. Continue to focus on providing infrastructure needs to support a growing population prior to development. 8. Promote projects and programs that increase sales tax revenue for the County to become less dependent on property taxes. 9. Continued growth in partnerships with Third Party Vendors and other counties for Broadband Utility. 10. Cost-saving incentives such as a Management Review Team to reduce costs. 11. Continue to support the Columbia Judicial Circuit so that it can be an example of other circuits to follow. 12. Implementation of the new County website. 13. Continue to distribute timely information through good communication with our citizens. Below are additional budget highlights: • Total General Fund expenditures, excluding the use of reserves, increased by 7.36% from the FY 2022/2023 adopted budget, including a contingency of $2,254,847, or 2.54% of proposed expenditures. • New personnel requests within the General Fund include 20 new positions totaling $1,242,127, reclassifications/promotions totaling $156,801, and allowance adjustments totaling $5,736, for a grand total of $1,404,664. • New capital requests increased from $2,298,384 in FY 2022/2023 to $2,484,351 in FY 2023/2024, an increase of 8.09%. • New personnel requests within the Other Funds include 19 new positions totaling $1,091,635, reclassifications totaling $299,592, and allowance adjustments totaling $12,648, for a grand total of $1,403,875. • New capital requests increased from $10,138,450 in FY 2022/2023 to $11,262,356 in FY 2023/2024, an increase of 11.09%. • The budget was balanced using a 5% increase in property tax revenues with a proposed millage rate rollback. • The County has experienced an annualized increase in local option sales tax (LOST) revenues of 7.47% as of March 2023, an average of $2.48 million per month. To be conservative, the budget was balanced using the same average of $2.48 million per month. Requests for Information This report is designed to provide an overview of the Government’s finances for those with an interest in this area. Questions concerning any of the information found in this report or requests for additional information should be directed to the Finance Director, Columbia County, Georgia, 630 Ronald Reagan Drive, Evans, Georgia 30809. 37 ---PAGE BREAK--- BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 38 ---PAGE BREAK--- GOVERNMENT – WIDE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 39 ---PAGE BREAK--- Governmental Activities Business-type Activities Total Development Authority Board of Health Convention and Visitors Bureau Greater Clarks Hill Regional Library ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 23,904,108 $ 19,957,922 $ 43,862,030 $ 7,058,384 $ 3,892,358 $ 710,848 $ 463,481 Investments 66,537,537 30,321,321 96,858,858 - - 107,976 - Taxes receivable, net 255,118 - 255,118 - - - - Accounts receivable, net 2,006,507 6,959,808 8,966,315 78,062 192,989 - 770 Lease receivable 634,872 487,854 1,122,726 - - - - Interest receivable 137,175 61,139 198,314 - - - - Intergovernmental receivable 16,949,759 - 16,949,759 1,564,872 - - - Internal balances (10,690,495) 10,690,495 - - - - - Due from component units 111,238 - 111,238 - - - - Inventories 1,887,630 1,483,313 3,370,943 - - - - Prepaid items 114,858 29,447 144,305 3,333 - - 865 Restricted cash 28,403,771 745,385 29,149,156 - - - - Restricted investments 116,169,410 - 116,169,410 - - - - Net OPEB asset - - - - 164,547 - - Land and construction in progress 157,815,125 20,155,020 177,970,145 7,434,714 - - - Other capital assets, net of acc dep 271,831,901 351,843,005 623,674,906 3,869 - 6,159 - Total assets 676,068,514 442,734,709 1,118,803,223 16,143,234 4,249,894 824,983 465,116 DEFERRED OUTFLOWS OF RESOURCES Deferred loss on refunding - 1,346,280 1,346,280 - - - - Deferred outflows related to pension plan - - - - 911,492 - - Deferred outflows related to OPEB plan 610,244 121,498 731,742 - 148,507 - - Total deferred outflows of resources 610,244 1,467,778 2,078,022 - 1,059,999 - - LIABILITIES Accounts payable 8,422,358 4,083,198 12,505,556 245 10,470 2,728 69,261 Claims payable 3,296,478 - 3,296,478 - - - - Accrued payroll 2,713,815 553,648 3,267,463 - - 38 78,037 Unearned revenue 23,982,440 217,193 24,199,633 - - - 4,450 Intergovernmental payable 1,896,280 - 1,896,280 - - - - Accrued interest payable 855,306 159,160 1,014,466 51,991 - - - Customer deposits - 505,579 505,579 - - - 400 Due to primary government - - - - 111,238 Long-term liabilities: Liabilities due within one year 9,974,878 5,350,165 15,325,043 1,471,000 97,100 - 92,531 Liabilities due in greater than one year 64,858,699 48,444,001 113,302,700 11,427,000 2,241,329 - 92,531 Total liabilities 116,000,254 59,312,944 175,313,198 12,950,236 2,348,899 2,766 448,448 DEFERRED INFLOWS OF RESOURCES Deferred gain on refunding 105,660 33,952 139,612 - - - - Deferred inflows related to leases 624,851 470,727 1,095,578 - - - - Deferred inflows related to pension plan - - - - 19,231 - - Deferred inflows related to OPEB plan 4,188,459 815,189 5,003,648 - 171,914 - - Total deferred inflows of resources 4,918,970 1,319,868 6,238,838 - 191,145 - - NET POSITION Net investment in capital assets 372,162,519 325,477,859 697,640,378 (5,459,417) - 6,159 - Restricted for: Debt service 49,160 745,385 794,545 1,782,466 - - Capital projects 96,135,696 - 96,135,696 - - - Special Programs 39,040,886 - 39,040,886 - - - Health and welfare - - - - 489,139 - - Unrestricted 48,371,273 57,346,431 105,717,704 6,869,949 2,280,710 816,058 16,668 Total net position $ 555,759,534 $ 383,569,675 $ 939,329,209 $ 3,192,998 $ 2,769,849 $ 822,217 $ 16,668 The notes to financial statements are an integral part of this statement. Columbia County, Georgia Statement of Net Position June 30, 2023 Primary Government Component Units 40 ---PAGE BREAK--- Functions/Programs Expenses Charges for Services Operating Grants and Contributions Capital Grants and Contributions Primary government: Governmental activities: General government $ 27,476,973 $ 3,126,652 $ 158,859 $ 5,534,356 Judicial 9,663,804 3,317,731 1,344,334 - Public safety 59,479,819 3,970,143 168,098 203,531 Public works 29,717,507 2,412,380 297,499 10,184,725 Health and welfare 1,540,054 111,631 302,272 62,602 Culture and recreation 14,421,268 1,475,467 113,762 143,957 Housing and development 5,888,491 2,571,379 121,820 - Debt Service 1,973,532 - - - Total governmental activities 150,161,448 16,985,383 2,506,644 16,129,171 Business-type activities: Water and Sewerage 38,525,791 38,722,291 - 7,560,221 Storm Water Utility 7,631,306 6,000,762 413,626 2,874,001 Solid Waste Management (4,005,404) - - - Savannah Rapids Pavilion 597,195 527,932 - - Communications Utility 2,544,144 2,101,855 - - Performing Arts Center 1,560,913 1,160,760 - - Exhibition Center 341,384 227,250 - - Total business-type activities 47,195,329 48,740,850 413,626 10,434,222 Total primary government $ 197,356,777 $ 65,726,233 $ 2,920,270 $ 26,563,393 Component units: Development Authority $ 968,960 $ 87,096 $ 673,372 $ - Board of Health 1,808,582 648,895 1,356,537 196,850 Convention and Visitors Bureau 678,224 2,938 834,174 - Greater Clarks Hill Regional Library 3,384,661 31,950 3,336,023 - Total component units $ 6,840,427 $ 770,879 $ 6,200,106 $ 196,850 Columbia County, Georgia Statement of Activities For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 Program Revenues General revenues: Taxes, general property Taxes, sales Taxes, business Change in net position Net position - beginning Net position - ending The notes to financial statements are an integral part of this statement. Taxes, lodging and alcohol Revenues from use of money and property Gain on sale of capital assets Miscellaneous Transfers Total general revenues and transfers 41 ---PAGE BREAK--- Governmental Activities Business-type Activities Total Development Authority Board of Health Convention and Visitors Bureau Greater Clarks Hill Regional Library $ (18,657,106) $ - $ (18,657,106) (5,001,739) - (5,001,739) (55,138,047) - (55,138,047) (16,822,903) - (16,822,903) (1,063,549) - (1,063,549) (12,688,082) - (12,688,082) (3,195,292) - (3,195,292) (1,973,532) - (1,973,532) (114,540,250) - (114,540,250) - 7,756,721 7,756,721 - 1,657,083 1,657,083 - 4,005,404 4,005,404 - (69,263) (69,263) - (442,289) (442,289) - (400,153) (400,153) - (114,134) (114,134) - 12,393,369 12,393,369 (114,540,250) 12,393,369 (102,146,881) $ (208,492) $ - $ - $ - - 196,850 - - - - 158,888 - - - - (16,688) (208,492) 196,850 158,888 (16,688) 76,447,333 - 76,447,333 - - - - 88,366,671 - 88,366,671 - - - - 11,878,161 - 11,878,161 - - - - 4,041,489 - 4,041,489 - - - - 1,735,866 (179,681) 1,556,185 124,469 - 12,157 18,603 1,232 125 1,357 - - - - 1,560,114 1,034,347 2,594,461 73,844 - - - (1,300,102) 1,300,102 - - - - - 182,730,764 2,154,893 184,885,657 198,313 - 12,157 18,603 68,190,514 14,548,262 82,738,776 (10,179) 196,850 171,045 1,915 487,569,020 369,021,413 856,590,433 3,203,177 2,572,999 651,172 14,753 $ 555,759,534 $ 383,569,675 $ 939,329,209 $ 3,192,998 $ 2,769,849 $ 822,217 $ 16,668 Net (Expense) Revenue and Changes in Net Position Primary Government Component Units 42 ---PAGE BREAK--- 43 FUND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ---PAGE BREAK--- GENERAL FUND FIRE SERVICES FUND AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUND 2017-2022 SPLOST TITLE AD VALOREM TAX FUND TRANSPORTATION SPLOST Total Nonmajor Governmental Funds Total Governmental Funds ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 11,642,367 $ 56,809 $ 4,323,036 $ 1,549,175 $ 6,682,798 $ - $ 22,928,502 $ 47,182,687 Investments 56,336,087 - 20,370,445 95,378,514 10,201,450 - 420,451 182,706,947 Taxes receivable 152,121 80,835 - - - - 22,162 255,118 Accounts receivable 815,939 - - - - - 139,709 955,648 Lease receivable 634,872 - - - - - - 634,872 Interest receivable 137,175 - - - - - - 137,175 Intergovernmental receivable 3,117,517 - 252,433 2,841,090 - 6,801,913 3,936,806 16,949,759 Due from other funds 17,760,672 1,222,991 - - 22,977,128 - 10,755,802 52,716,593 Advances to other funds 3,000,000 - - - - - - 3,000,000 Due from component units 111,238 - - - - - - 111,238 Inventories 1,887,630 - - - - - - 1,887,630 Prepaid items 68,590 26,879 232 119 - - 16,084 111,904 Total assets $ 95,664,208 $ 1,387,514 $ 24,946,146 $ 99,768,898 $ 39,861,376 $ 6,801,913 $ 38,219,516 $ 306,649,571 LIABILITIES, DEFERRED INFLOWS OF RESOURCES, AND FUND BALANCES LIABILITIES: Accounts payable $ 1,783,664 $ 214,084 $ 4,866 $ 1,134,114 $ 353,199 $ 3,501,023 $ 982,044 $ 7,972,994 Claims payable 925,368 - - - - - - 925,368 Accrued payroll 1,753,360 529,898 20,946 3,016 - - 335,453 2,642,673 Unearned revenue 71,217 - 23,895,473 - - - 15,750 23,982,440 Due to other funds 38,562,470 - 486,752 3,345,735 - 5,995,375 333,212 48,723,544 Due to other governments - - - - - - 331,405 331,405 Total liabilities 43,096,079 743,982 24,408,037 4,482,865 353,199 9,496,398 1,997,864 84,578,424 DEFERRED INFLOWS OF RESOURCES: Unavailable revenue 82,624 45,702 108,961 - - - 185,813 423,100 Lease related 624,851 - - - - - - 624,851 Total deferred inflow of resources 707,475 45,702 108,961 - - - 185,813 1,047,951 Total liabilities and deferred inflows of resources 43,803,554 789,684 24,516,998 4,482,865 353,199 9,496,398 2,183,677 85,626,375 FUND BALANCES (DEFICITS): Long-term interfund receivable 3,000,000 - - - - - - 3,000,000 Inventories 1,887,630 - - - - - - 1,887,630 Prepaid items 68,590 26,879 232 119 - - 16,084 111,904 Restricted for: Special programs - - 428,916 - - - 15,240,022 15,668,938 Capital projects - - - 95,285,914 - - 17,786,603 113,072,517 Debt service - - - - - - 58,413 58,413 Committed to: Special programs - - - - - - 3,102,514 3,102,514 Fire services - 570,951 - - - - - 570,951 Assigned to: Risk management 1,000,000 - - - - - - 1,000,000 Employee medical costs 500,000 - - - - - - 500,000 Fleet replacement 1,000,000 - - - - - - 1,000,000 Capital projects - - - - 39,508,177 - - 39,508,177 Unassigned 44,404,434 - - - - (2,694,485) (167,797) 41,542,152 Total fund balances (deficits) 51,860,654 597,830 429,148 95,286,033 39,508,177 (2,694,485) 36,035,839 221,023,196 Total liabilities, deferred inflows of resources, and fund balances (deficits) $ 95,664,208 $ 1,387,514 $ 24,946,146 $ 99,768,898 $ 39,861,376 $ 6,801,913 $ 38,219,516 $ 306,649,571 The notes to financial statements are an integral part of this statement. Columbia County, Georgia Balance Sheet Governmental Funds June 30, 2023 Nonspendable: 44 ---PAGE BREAK--- Amounts reported for governmental activities in the statement of net position are different because: Ending fund balances - governmental funds 221,023,196 $ 429,647,026 (5,619,387) 424,027,639 423,100 (74,833,577) 148,518 (74,685,059) (105,660) 610,244 (4,188,459) (3,578,215) (855,306) (1,564,875) 9,029,606 (17,954,892) Net position of governmental activities 555,759,534 $ The notes to the financial statements are an integral part of this statement. Columbia County, Georgia Reconciliation of the Balance Sheet of Governmental Funds to the Statement of Net Position June 30, 2023 Total capital assets, governmental activities Capital assets used in governmental activities are not financial resources and, therefore, are not reported in the funds. Deferred gain on refunding Internal service funds are used by management to charge the costs of risk management, handling citizen complaints, and employee health benefits activity to individual funds. The assets and liabilities of the internal service funds are included in governmental activities in the statement of net position. Certain activities between funds, including indirect costs and reimbursements, are recorded as revenues and expenditures in the respective funds. These interfund transactions have been eliminated in the statement of net position. Less capital assets recorded in internal service funds Total long-term liabilities, governmental activities Less compensated absences reported in internal service funds Other long-term assets are not available to pay for current-period expenditures and, therefore, are deferred in the funds. Long-term liabilities, including bonds payable, are not due and payable in the current period and therefore are not reported in the funds. Interest payable on long-term debt does not require current financial resources. Therefore, interest payable is not reported as a liability in the governmental funds balance sheet. Deferred outflows and inflows of resources related to postemployment benefits other than pensions are applicable to future periods and, therefore, are not reported in the funds. Deferred inflows of resources related to OPEB Deferred outflows and inflows of resources related to long-term liabilities are applicable to future periods and, therefore, are not reported in the funds. Intergovernmental payable associated with an intergovernmental agreement does not require current financial resources. Therefore, intergovernmental payable is not reported as a liability in the governmental funds balance sheet. Deferred outflows of resources related to OPEB 45 ---PAGE BREAK--- GENERAL FUND FIRE SERVICES FUND AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUND 2017-2022 SPLOST TITLE AD VALOREM TAX FUND TRANSPORTATION SPLOST Total Nonmajor Governmental Funds Total Governmental Funds REVENUES Taxes - property $ 52,056,696 $ 19,165,201 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 5,140,622 $ 76,362,519 Taxes - sales 29,755,131 - - 20,243,488 - 17,914,498 20,453,554 88,366,671 Taxes - other 3,266,007 - - - - - 12,653,643 15,919,650 Licenses and permits 482,995 - - - - - 1,846,696 2,329,691 Charges for services 5,893,712 - - - 240,260 - 6,010,682 12,144,654 Intergovernmental revenue 2,916,236 - 4,762,832 - - 2,927,132 685,191 11,291,391 Fines and forfeitures 1,619,941 - - - - - 891,193 2,511,134 Investment income (loss) 352,811 - 519,505 2,474,403 297,588 - 573,131 4,217,438 Contributions and donations - 64,811 - - - 158,606 250,199 473,616 Other income 1,421,283 92 - - - - 138,739 1,560,114 Total revenues 97,764,812 19,230,104 5,282,337 22,717,891 537,848 21,000,236 48,643,650 215,176,878 EXPENDITURES Current: General government 19,724,907 - - - 470,415 - 108,031 20,303,353 Judicial 7,741,688 - 720,761 - - - 555,388 9,017,837 Public safety 34,251,601 18,618,652 310,818 - 202,500 - 3,953,771 57,337,342 Public works 6,635,369 - - - - - 11,295,782 17,931,151 Health and welfare 1,288,272 - - - - - - 1,288,272 Culture and recreation 7,633,364 - - - - - 2,544,415 10,177,779 Housing and development 3,998,752 - - - - - 2,702,935 6,701,687 Intergovernmental - - - 2,262,312 - - 1,899,518 4,161,830 Capital outlay - - - 13,097,861 7,888,619 22,101,540 7,362,415 50,450,435 Debt service: Principal 81,270 95,037 270,798 - - - 8,239,581 8,686,686 Interest 9,290 3,105 11,162 - - - 2,228,683 2,252,240 Other - - - - - - 2,700 2,700 Total expenditures 81,364,513 18,716,794 1,313,539 15,360,173 8,561,534 22,101,540 40,893,219 188,311,312 Excess (deficiency) of revenues over (under) expenditures 16,400,299 513,310 3,968,798 7,357,718 (8,023,686) (1,101,304) 7,750,431 26,865,566 OTHER FINANCING SOURCES (USES) Sale of property 1,232 - - - - - - 1,232 Leases and SBITAs issued 30,150 73,084 - - - - 18,271 121,505 Transfers in 1,894,210 - - 227,217 21,775,356 216,265 4,508,333 28,621,381 Transfers out (27,039,714) (15,159) (3,536,166) (2,240,435) - - (4,590,009) (37,421,483) Total other financing source (uses) (25,114,122) 57,925 (3,536,166) (2,013,218) 21,775,356 216,265 (63,405) (8,677,365) Net change in fund balances (8,713,823) 571,235 432,632 5,344,500 13,751,670 (885,039) 7,687,026 18,188,201 Fund balances (deficits) - beginning 60,574,477 26,595 (3,484) 89,941,533 25,756,507 (1,809,446) 28,348,813 202,834,995 Fund balances (deficits) - ending $ 51,860,654 $ 597,830 $ 429,148 $ 95,286,033 $ 39,508,177 $ (2,694,485) $ 36,035,839 $ 221,023,196 The notes to financial statements are an integral part of this statement. Columbia County, Georgia Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balances Governmental Funds For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 46 ---PAGE BREAK--- Amounts reported for governmental activities in the statement of activities are different because: Net change in fund balances - total governmental funds 18,188,201 $ Capital expenditures 53,665,659 Less capital assets purchased in internal service funds (1,613,753) Capital contributions 6,139,720 Depreciation/amortization expense (26,483,054) Less depreciation expense in internal service funds 1,617,925 33,326,497 186,652 Leases/SBITAs issued (227,736) Less leases/SBITAs issued in internal service funds 106,231 Payments on leases/sbitas 896,836 Less payments on leases/sbitas in internal service funds (106,231) Current year amortization of bond premium 448,184 Current year principal repayments 8,225,000 Current year amortization of deferred gain/(loss) on refunding 11,361 Net change in net OPEB liability and related deferred inflows/outflows (461,409) (255,870) 14,634 8,651,000 693,597 (151,882) 8,480,545 (1,184,096) Change in net position of governmental activities 68,190,514 $ The notes to the financial statements are an integral part of this statement. Net changes in compensated absences, less amounts reported in funds Expenses associated with intergovernmental agreements are recorded when incurred in the statement of activities and when current financial resources are used in the fund financial statements. The net revenue of certain activities of the internal service funds is reported with governmental activities. Certain activities between funds, including indirect costs and reimbursements, are recorded as revenues and expenditures in the respective funds. These interfund transactions have been eliminated in the statement of activities. Columbia County, Georgia Reconciliation of the Statement of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances of Governmental Funds to the Statement of Activities For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 Governmental funds report capital outlays as expenditures. However, in the statement of activities the cost of those assets is allocated over their estimated useful lives and reported as depreciation expense. The amount by which capital outlay exceeded depreciation in the current year is detailed below: Revenues in the statement of activities that do not provide current financial resources are not reported as revenues in the funds. The issuance of long-term debt (e.g. bonds, leases) provides current financial resources to governmental funds, while the repayment of the principal of long-term debt consumes the current financial resources of governmental funds. Neither transaction, however, has any effect on net position. Also governmental funds report the effect of premiums, discounts, and similar items when debt is first issued, whereas these amounts are deferred and amortized in the statement of activities. The incurrence of other long-term liabilities (e.g. OPEB) that does not use current financial resources are not reported as expenditures in the funds. Below are the amounts of these differences in treatment of long-term liabilities and related items. Less changes in compensated absences reported in internal service funds In the fund financial statements, interest expense on long-term debt is reported in the period that the current financial resources are used. In the statement of activities, interest expense on long-term debt is recorded as the expense is incurred. This amount is the difference between recording interest as accrued rather than as paid. 47 ---PAGE BREAK--- Variance with Original Final Actual Final Budget REVENUES Taxes - property $ 49,813,469 $ 50,921,017 $ 52,056,696 $ 1,135,679 Taxes - sales 25,200,000 25,200,000 29,755,131 4,555,131 Taxes - other 2,705,000 2,705,000 3,266,007 561,007 Licenses and permits 450,000 450,000 482,995 32,995 Charges for services 4,650,000 4,650,000 5,893,712 1,243,712 Intergovernmental revenue 2,700,487 2,700,487 2,916,236 215,749 Fines and forfeitures 1,548,500 1,548,500 1,619,941 71,441 Investment income (loss) 300,000 300,000 352,811 52,811 Other income 1,087,396 23,587,396 1,421,283 (22,166,113) Total revenues 88,454,852 112,062,400 97,764,812 (14,297,588) EXPENDITURES Current: General government 25,689,760 21,051,614 19,724,907 1,326,707 Judicial 7,881,786 8,365,231 7,741,688 623,543 Public safety 32,581,611 35,826,805 34,251,601 1,575,204 Public works 6,304,942 6,832,722 6,635,369 197,353 Health and welfare 1,245,901 1,318,446 1,288,272 30,174 Culture and recreation 7,088,633 7,633,436 7,633,364 72 Housing and development 3,415,166 4,317,243 3,998,752 318,491 Debt service: Principal - - 81,270 (81,270) Interest - - 9,290 (9,290) Total expenditures 84,207,799 85,345,497 81,364,513 3,980,984 Excess (deficiency) of revenues over (under) expenditures 4,247,053 26,716,903 16,400,299 (10,316,604) OTHER FINANCING SOURCES (USES) Sale of property - - 1,232 1,232 Leases and SBITAs issued - 30,150 30,150 - Transfers in 200,000 200,000 1,894,210 1,694,210 Transfers out (4,447,053) (26,947,053) (27,039,714) (92,661) Total other financing source (uses) (4,247,053) (26,716,903) (25,114,122) 1,602,781 Net change in fund balance $ - $ - (8,713,823) $ (8,713,823) Fund balance - beginning 60,574,477 Fund balance - ending $ 51,860,654 Budgeted Amounts The notes to financial statements are an integral part of this statement. Columbia County, Georgia GENERAL FUND Statement of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances – Budget and Actual For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 48 ---PAGE BREAK--- Variance with Original Final Actual Final Budget REVENUES Taxes - property $ 18,752,412 $ 18,752,412 $ 19,165,201 $ 412,789 Contributions and donations - - 64,811 64,811 Other income - - 92 92 Total revenues 18,752,412 18,752,412 19,230,104 477,692 EXPENDITURES Current: Public safety 18,752,412 18,752,412 18,618,652 133,760 Debt service: Principal - - 95,037 (95,037) Interest - - 3,105 (3,105) Total expenditures 18,752,412 18,752,412 18,716,794 35,618 Excess (deficiency) of revenues over (under) expenditures - - 513,310 513,310 OTHER FINANCING SOURCES (USES) Leases and SBITAs issued - - 73,084 73,084 Transfers out (15,159) (15,159) Total other financing source (uses) - - 57,925 57,925 Net change in fund balance $ - $ - 571,235 $ 571,235 Fund balance - beginning 26,595 Fund balance - ending $ 597,830 Budgeted Amounts The notes to financial statements are an integral part of this statement. Columbia County, Georgia FIRE SERVICES FUND Statement of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances – Budget and Actual For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 49 ---PAGE BREAK--- Variance with Original Final Actual Final Budget REVENUES Intergovernmental revenue $ 16,172,222 $ 16,172,222 $ 4,762,832 $ (11,409,390) Investment income - - 519,505 519,505 Total revenues 16,172,222 16,172,222 5,282,337 (10,889,885) EXPENDITURES Current: General government 14,200,000 14,200,000 - 14,200,000 Judicial 972,222 972,222 720,761 251,461 Public safety 1,000,000 1,000,000 310,818 689,182 Debt service: Principal - - 270,798 (270,798) Interest - - 11,162 (11,162) Total expenditures 16,172,222 16,172,222 1,313,539 14,858,683 Excess (deficiency) of revenues over (under) expenditures - - 3,968,798 3,968,798 OTHER FINANCING SOURCES (USES) Transfers out (3,536,166) (3,536,166) Total other financing source (uses) - - (3,536,166) (3,536,166) Net change in fund balance $ - $ - 432,632 $ 432,632 Fund balance - beginning (3,484) Fund balance - ending $ 429,148 Budgeted Amounts The notes to financial statements are an integral part of this statement. Columbia County, Georgia AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUND Statement of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances – Budget and Actual For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 50 ---PAGE BREAK--- Governmental Activities WATER AND SEWERAGE FUND STORM WATER UTILITY FUND SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT FUND Total Nonmajor Enterprise Funds Total Enterprise Funds Internal Service Funds ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 6,016,816 $ 9,651,494 $ 327,503 $ 3,962,109 $ 19,957,922 $ 5,125,192 Investments 24,993,908 - 5,327,413 - 30,321,321 - Accounts receivable 5,786,181 1,093,763 465 79,399 6,959,808 1,050,859 Lease receivable 123,008 - - 364,846 487,854 - Interest receivable 51,638 - 9,176 325 61,139 - Due from other funds 1,032,868 21,797 - 1,262 1,055,927 3,605,287 Inventories 1,483,313 - - - 1,483,313 - Prepaid items 21,980 6,499 435 533 29,447 2,954 Restricted cash to pay current liab 745,385 - - - 745,385 - Total current assets 40,255,097 10,773,553 5,664,992 4,408,474 61,102,116 9,784,292 Noncurrent assets: Capital assets, net of acc dep 320,337,751 38,723,997 1,091,672 11,844,605 371,998,025 5,619,387 Total noncurrent assets 320,337,751 38,723,997 1,091,672 11,844,605 371,998,025 5,619,387 Total assets 360,592,848 49,497,550 6,756,664 16,253,079 433,100,141 15,403,679 DEFERRED OUTFLOWS OF RESOURCES Deferred loss on refunding 1,346,280 - - - 1,346,280 - OPEB changes in assumptions 80,401 25,952 3,789 11,355 121,497 - Total deferred outflows of resources 1,426,681 25,952 3,789 11,355 1,467,777 - Total assets and deferred outflows of resources 362,019,529 49,523,502 6,760,453 16,264,434 434,567,918 15,403,679 LIABILITIES Current liabilities: Accounts payable 2,934,911 33,691 38,740 1,075,855 4,083,197 449,363 SBITA payable - - - 27,651 27,651 - Lease payable - - - 18,690 18,690 - Claims payable - - - - - 2,371,110 Accrued payroll 387,684 100,069 10,203 55,692 553,648 71,142 Accrued compensated absences 691,521 61,327 11,210 49,504 813,562 74,259 Unearned revenue - - - 217,193 217,193 - Due to other funds 266,950 67,873 2,988,632 660,158 3,983,613 4,670,650 Accrued interest payable 158,075 - - 1,085 159,160 - Customer deposits 80,909 372,454 - 52,216 505,579 - Est liab closure/post closure - - 135,262 - 135,262 - Revenue bonds 4,355,000 - - - 4,355,000 - Total current liabilities 8,875,050 635,414 3,184,047 2,158,044 14,852,555 7,636,524 Noncurrent liabilities: Lease payable - - - 12,987 12,987 - Accrued compensated absences 691,521 61,327 11,210 49,504 813,562 74,259 Advances from other funds - - - 3,000,000 3,000,000 - Est liab closure/post closure - - 3,111,026 - 3,111,026 - Revenue bonds 43,418,166 - - - 43,418,166 - Net OPEB liability 846,057 172,288 19,271 50,644 1,088,260 - Total noncurrent liabilities 44,955,744 233,615 3,141,507 3,113,135 51,444,001 74,259 Total liabilities 53,830,794 869,029 6,325,554 5,271,179 66,296,556 7,710,783 DEFERRED INFLOWS OF RESOURCES Deferred gain on refunding 33,952 - - - 33,952 - Lease related 121,401 - - 349,326 470,727 - OPEB expected vs actual experience 366,005 109,509 18,435 42,158 536,107 - OPEB changes in assumptions 195,136 54,128 11,540 18,278 279,082 - Total deferred inflows of resources 716,494 163,637 29,975 409,762 1,319,868 - Total liabilities and deferred inflows of resources 54,547,288 1,032,666 6,355,529 5,680,941 67,616,424 7,710,783 NET POSITION Net investment in capital assets 273,876,913 38,723,997 1,091,672 11,785,277 325,477,859 5,619,387 Restricted for debt service 745,385 - - - 745,385 - Unrestricted 32,849,943 9,766,839 (686,748) (1,201,784) 40,728,250 2,073,509 Total net position $ 307,472,241 $ 48,490,836 $ 404,924 $ 10,583,493 366,951,494 $ 7,692,896 (1,336,711) 17,954,892 $ 383,569,675 Business-type Activities - Enterprise Funds The notes to financial statements are an integral part of this statement. Columbia County, Georgia Statement of Net Position Proprietary Funds June 30, 2023 Adjustment to reflect the consolidation of internal service fund activities related to business-type activities Net position of business-type activities Adjustment to reflect the elimination of interfund indirect cost allocations. 51 ---PAGE BREAK--- Governmental Activities WATER AND SEWERAGE FUND STORM WATER UTILITY FUND SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT FUND Total Nonmajor Enterprise Funds Total Enterprise Funds Internal Service Funds OPERATING REVENUES Licenses and permits $ - $ 15,528 $ - $ - $ 15,528 $ - Charges for services 38,722,291 5,985,234 - 4,017,797 48,725,322 6,678,784 Intergovernmental revenue - 413,626 - - 413,626 13,676,265 Rental income 8,936 - - 642,682 651,618 - Other income - 585 86,213 50,034 136,832 - Total operating revenues 38,731,227 6,414,973 86,213 4,710,513 49,942,926 20,355,049 OPERATING EXPENSES Personal services 11,341,321 3,044,660 342,837 1,647,710 16,376,528 2,018,342 Purchased/contract services 4,555,236 298,281 86,659 1,321,401 6,261,577 15,358,115 Supplies and materials 7,656,849 263,206 84,749 704,885 8,709,689 188,971 Interfund charges 1,792,934 478,134 - 346,543 2,617,611 - Depreciation/amortization 12,818,850 3,773,992 47,608 1,130,867 17,771,317 1,617,925 Other costs - - - 351 351 - Landfill clos/post clos costs - - (4,563,268) - (4,563,268) - Total operating expenses 38,165,190 7,858,273 (4,001,415) 5,151,757 47,173,805 19,183,353 Operating income (loss) 566,037 (1,443,300) 4,087,628 (441,244) 2,769,121 1,171,696 NONOPERATING REVENUES (EXPENSES) Gain on sale of capital assets - - - 125 125 - Lease revenue 61,394 - - 184,503 245,897 - Investment income (loss) (398,899) 123,149 28,070 67,999 (179,681) 86,198 Interest expense (1,477,160) - - (2,040) (1,479,200) (3,769) Total nonoperating revenues (expenses) (1,814,665) 123,149 28,070 250,587 (1,412,859) 82,429 Income (loss) before contributions and transfers (1,248,628) (1,320,151) 4,115,698 (190,657) 1,356,262 1,254,125 Transfers in 585,380 - 415,097 300,000 1,300,477 7,930,348 Transfers out (375) - - - (375) (430,348) Capital contributions 7,560,221 2,874,001 - - 10,434,222 - Change in net position 6,896,598 1,553,850 4,530,795 109,343 13,090,586 8,754,125 Total net position - beginning 300,575,643 46,936,986 (4,125,871) 10,474,150 (1,061,229) Total net position - ending $ 307,472,241 $ 48,490,836 $ 404,924 $ 10,583,493 $ 7,692,896 273,580 1,184,096 $ 14,548,262 Columbia County, Georgia Statement of Revenues, Expenses, and Changes in Net Position Proprietary Funds For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 Adjustment to reflect the elimination of interfund indirect cost allocations. Adjustment to reflect the consolidation of internal service fund activities related to business-type activities Change in net position of business-type activities Business-type Activities - Enterprise Funds The notes to financial statements are an integral part of this statement. 52 ---PAGE BREAK--- Governmental Activities - Internal Service Funds $ 40,571,937 $ 6,264,157 $ 86,800 $ 4,665,601 $ 51,588,495 $ 15,844,181 (14,036,686) (252,676) (160,011) (2,893,403) (17,342,776) (19,546,168) (11,192,930) (3,038,759) (341,886) (1,599,089) (16,172,664) (1,997,408) 15,342,321 2,972,722 (415,097) 173,109 18,073,055 (5,699,395) - - 415,097 300,000 715,097 4,000,000 (375) - - - (375) (430,348) (375) - 415,097 300,000 714,722 3,569,652 585,380 - - - 585,380 3,930,348 89,659 - - 192,439 282,098 - (14,360,487) (757,406) - (934,201) (16,052,094) (1,507,519) - - - 125 125 - (4,155,000) - - - (4,155,000) - - - - (46,344) (46,344) (106,231) (2,091,911) - - (1,055) (2,092,966) (3,769) (19,932,359) (757,406) - (789,036) (21,478,801) 2,312,829 4,735,236 - - - 4,735,236 - (322,375) - (77,677) - (400,052) - 427,659 123,149 82,241 56,731 689,780 86,198 4,840,520 123,149 4,564 56,731 5,024,964 86,198 250,107 2,338,465 4,564 (259,196) 2,333,940 269,284 6,512,094 7,313,029 322,939 4,221,305 18,369,367 4,855,908 $ 6,762,201 $ 9,651,494 $ 327,503 $ 3,962,109 $ 20,703,307 $ 5,125,192 (used in) operating activities $ 566,037 $ (1,443,300) $ 4,087,628 $ (441,244) $ 2,769,121 $ 1,171,696 to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 12,818,850 3,773,992 47,608 1,130,867 17,771,317 1,617,925 Change in assets and liabilities Accounts receivable 1,887,506 (97,712) 586 116,796 1,907,176 (1,030,815) Inventory (204,325) - - - (204,325) - Deferred charges / prepaid expense (951) (494) (50) 76 (1,419) (395) Due from other funds (26,169) 711,757 - (1,262) 684,326 (2,432,054) Accounts payable (61,228) (8,044) (134,928) 849,250 645,050 774,252 Accrued liabilities 148,391 5,901 951 48,917 204,160 21,911 Customer deposits (46,796) (37,251) - 42,283 (41,764) - Due to other funds 261,006 67,873 672,302 (1,368,583) (367,402) (5,821,915) Unearned revenue - - - (203,991) (203,991) - Estimated liability for landfill closure and postclosure care cost - - (5,089,194) - (5,089,194) - Total adjustments 14,776,284 4,416,022 (4,502,725) 614,353 15,303,934 (6,871,091) Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities $ 15,342,321 $ 2,972,722 $ (415,097) $ 173,109 $ 18,073,055 $ (5,699,395) Capital contributions from developers $ 7,555,312 $ 2,874,001 $ - $ - $ 10,429,313 $ - Increase (decrease) in fair value of investments (829,757) - (50,957) - (880,714) - Acquisition of capital assets from leases/sbitas - - - 56,326 56,326 106,231 $ 6,725,555 $ 2,874,001 $ (50,957) $ 56,326 $ 9,604,925 $ 106,231 The notes to the financial statements are an integral part of this statement. equivalents Cash and cash equivalents activities Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash Noncash investing, capital, and financing activities: Beginning of year End of year Reconciliation of operating income (loss) to net cash provided by Operating income (loss) Adjustments to reconcile operating income (loss) Investing activities Interest received Net cash provided by in investing Net cash (used in) capital and related financing activities Proceeds from sales/maturities of investments Purchase of investments Principal paid on leases/sbitas Interest paid on revenue bonds, notes, leases and sbitas Proceeds from sale of capital assets Principal paid on revenue bonds Acquisition and construction of capital assets Noncapital financing activities Transfer from other funds Transfer to other funds Net cash provided by (used in) noncapital financing activities Capital and related financing activities Transfer from other funds Proceeds from leases Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities Cash received from customers Cash paid to suppliers and others Cash paid to employees Operating activities Columbia County, Georgia Statement of Cash Flows Proprietary Funds For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 STORM WATER UTILITY FUND SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT FUND Total Nonmajor Enterprise Funds Total Enterprise Funds WATER AND SEWERAGE FUND 53 ---PAGE BREAK--- Pension Trust Funds Employees' Retirement Fund Custodial Funds ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 15,882,997 $ 6,098,967 Investments, mutual funds 65,598,055 - Total assets 81,481,052 6,098,967 LIABILITIES Due to others - 1,589,857 Total liabilities - 1,589,857 NET POSITION Restricted for: Pensions 81,481,052 - Individuals, organizations, and other governments - 4,509,110 Total net position $ 81,481,052 $ 4,509,110 The notes to financial statements are an integral part of this statement. Columbia County, Georgia Statement of Fiduciary Net Position June 30, 2023 54 ---PAGE BREAK--- Pension Trust Funds Employees' Retirement Fund Custodial Funds ADDITIONS Contributions: Employer $ 5,447,929 $ - Plan members 5,092 - Other 43,200 - Total contributions 5,496,221 - Investment earnings: Net appreciation (depreciation) in fair value 7,110,840 Interest earnings 946,858 Total investment earnings 8,057,698 - Taxes - 306,869,078 Fines and fees - 5,719,749 Criminal and civil bonds - 2,621,223 Other - 3,075,000 Total additions 13,553,919 318,285,050 DEDUCTIONS Benefits 3,019,998 - Administrative expenses 101,774 - Taxes and fees paid to other governments - 155,432,936 Payments to the County - 86,021,147 Other disbursements - 77,350,835 Total deductions 3,121,772 318,804,918 Change in net position 10,432,147 (519,868) Net Position - beginning of the year 71,048,905 5,028,978 Net Position - end of the year $ 81,481,052 $ 4,509,110 The notes to financial statements are an integral part of this statement. Columbia County, Georgia Statement of Changes in Fiduciary Net Position For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 55 ---PAGE BREAK--- NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 56 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Notes to Financial Statements June 30, 2023 Note 1 - Summary of significant accounting policies Introduction Columbia County, Georgia, (the County) established in 1790 and named in honor of Christopher Columbus, is located in the Central Savannah River Area of Georgia approximately 135 miles east of Atlanta and five miles northwest of Augusta- Richmond County. The 290 square mile county is bounded on the north by Thurmond Lake and the Savannah River (separating Columbia County from Lincoln County, Georgia, and McCormick and Edgefield Counties, South Carolina), on the south and east by Augusta-Richmond County, and on the west by McDuffie County. The County operates under an elected Commission form of government. The County is governed by a board of five elected County Commissioners (the Board). The financial statements of the County have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (GAAP) as applied to governmental units. The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) is the accepted standard-setting body for establishing governmental accounting and financial reporting principles. The more significant of the County’s accounting policies are described below. Reporting entity As required by GAAP, these financial statements present the County (the primary government) and its component units. The component units discussed below are included in the County’s reporting entity because of the significance of the operational or financial relationships with the County. Discretely presented component units: Development Authority of Columbia County (DACC) – The component unit column in the government-wide financial statements includes the financial data of the DACC. It is reported in a separate column to emphasize that it is legally separate from the County. The DACC is governed by a nine member Board of Directors appointed by the Board. The DACC serves to promote, pursue and implement economic development in the County. The DACC entered into an intergovernmental agreement with the County to subsidize its operations through the General Fund. Columbia County Board of Health (CCBOH) – The component unit column in the government-wide financial statements includes the financial data of the CCBOH. It is reported in a separate column to emphasize that it is legally separate from the County. The CCBOH is comprised of seven members, four of which are appointed by the Board. The operations of the CCBOH are subsidized through the County’s General Fund. Columbia County Convention & Visitors Bureau – The component unit column in the government-wide financial statements includes the financial data of the It is reported in a separate column to emphasize that it is legally separate from the County. The is governed by a seven member Board of Directors appointed by the Board. The provides convention and tourist promotion services for the benefit of the County, local businesses, and neighboring counties. The entered into an agreement with the County to subsidize its operations through the County’s Lodging Tax Fund. Greater Clarks Hill Regional Library - The component unit column in the government-wide financial statements includes the financial data of the It is reported in a separate column to emphasize that it is legally separate from the County. The is composed of the following participating counties: Columbia County, GA, as its headquarters; Warren County, GA; Burke County, GA; and Lincoln County, GA. The is comprised of seven members, five of which are appointed by the Board. The operations of the are subsidized through the County’s General Fund. 57 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Notes to Financial Statements - Continued June 30, 2023 Note 1 - Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued) Complete financial statements of the CCBOH may be obtained at the County’s administrative office. The address is as follows: Columbia County, Georgia 630 Ronald Reagan Drive Evans, Georgia 30809 No separately issued financial statements are available for the DACC, or the Certain County elected officials collect and disburse taxes, fees, fines, etc. Separate records of accountability are maintained for such transactions, which are recorded as custodial funds of the County. Receipts transferred from these funds to the County’s General Fund, Debt Service Fund and Special Revenue Funds are included as revenues in these funds. Operating costs for these officials are included as expenditures in the General Fund. These elected officials are as follows: Tax Commissioner, Probate Court Judge, Magistrate Court Judge, Clerk of Superior Court, and Sheriff. Related Organizations The County is also responsible for appointing a majority of the members of the board of the Bartram Trail CDC, Inc., but the County's accountability for this organization does not extend beyond making appointments. Basis of Presentation Government-wide statements: The statement of net position and the statement of activities display information about the primary government. These statements include the financial activities of the overall government. Eliminations have been made to minimize the double counting of internal activities. These statements distinguish between the governmental and business- type activities of the County. Governmental activities generally are financed through taxes, intergovernmental revenues, and other non-exchange transactions. Business-type activities are financed in whole or in part by fees charged to external parties. The statement of activities presents a comparison between direct expenses and program revenues for the different business- type activities of the County and for each function of the County’s governmental activities. Direct expenses are those that are specifically associated with a program or function and, therefore, are clearly identifiable to a particular function. Indirect expense allocations that have been made in the funds have been reversed for the statement of activities. As a general rule, the effect of interfund activity has been eliminated from the government-wide financial statements. Exceptions to this rule are interfund services provided and used. Elimination of these changes would distort the direct costs reported for the various functions concerned. Program revenues include fees and charges paid by the recipients of goods or services offered by the programs and grants and contributions that are restricted to meeting the operational or capital requirements of a particular program. Revenues that are not classified as program revenues, including all taxes, are presented as general revenues. Fund financial statements: The fund financial statements provide information about the County’s funds. Separate statements for each fund category – governmental, proprietary and fiduciary – are presented. The emphasis of fund financial statements is on major governmental and enterprise funds, each displayed in a separate column. All remaining governmental and enterprise funds are aggregated and reported as nonmajor funds. Proprietary fund operating revenues, such as charges for services, result from exchange transactions associated with the principal activity of the fund. Exchange transactions are those in which each party receives and gives up essentially equal values. Nonoperating revenues, such as subsidies and investment earnings, result from non-exchange transactions or ancillary activities. Fiduciary funds are used to account for resources held for the benefit of parties outside the County. Fiduciary funds are not reflected in the government-wide financial statements because the resources of those funds are not available to support the County’s own programs. The accounting used for fiduciary funds is much like that used for proprietary funds. 58 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Notes to Financial Statements - Continued June 30, 2023 Note 1 - Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued) The County reports the following major governmental funds: General Fund - The General Fund is the general operating fund of the County. The General Fund accounts for all financial resources except those that are required to be accounted for in another fund. The primary revenue sources are ad valorem taxes, local option sales taxes, and various other taxes and licenses. The primary expenditures are for general government, the judicial system, public safety, and street maintenance and improvements. Fire Services Fund - to account for taxes collected in special service districts within the unincorporated area for the purpose of providing fire services in accordance with Columbia County ordinance 38-40. American Rescue Plan Fund – to account for funds received from the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund in accordance with the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. 2017-2022 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax Fund - to account for the property acquisition and construction of projects designated to be funded by revenue from the special purpose local option sales tax collected during 2017 through 2022. Title Ad Valorem Tax Fund – to account for property acquisition and other capital projects designated to be funded with proceeds received from the Title Ad Valorem Tax. Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax - to account for capital transportation projects financed from TSPLOST funds, pursuant to OCGA 48-8-240 et seq. The County reports the following nonmajor governmental funds: Building Standards Fund - to account for building permits and inspection fees in accordance with OCGA 48-13-9. Library Board Fund - to account for the activity of the Columbia County Library Board in accordance with OCGA 20-5-41. Recreation Advisory Board Fund - to account for various projects sponsored by the Recreation Advisory Board to raise funds for recreation equipment in accordance with Columbia County Code of Ordinance 62-42 & Street Lights Fund - to account for the street light assessments used for maintenance of street lights in certain subdivisions in accordance with Columbia County Code of Ordinance 7, Article VI. 911 Fund - to account for the 911 fees assessed on landline and cellular telephones used for the maintenance and operations of the 911 service in accordance with OCGA 46-5-134. Opioid Settlement Fund – to account for Opioid Settlement Payment Funds received through the National Distributor Settlement and the Janssen/J&J Settlement. Drug Abuse Treatment Fund - to account for fines charged by the County to be used for drug abuse treatment and prevention in accordance with OCGA 15-21-101. Supplemental Juvenile Services Fund - to account for fines charged to juvenile offenders to be used for juvenile services in accordance with OCGA 15-11-71. Jail Fund – to account for fines charged by the County to be used for jail improvements in accordance with OCGA 15-21-94 & 95. 59 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Notes to Financial Statements - Continued June 30, 2023 Note 1 – Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued) Accountability Court Fund – to account for grants, donations, and participant fees associated with drug testing, counseling, and treatment services for substance abuse intervention in accordance with OCGA 15-1-15. District Attorney Asset Forfeitures Fund – to account for forfeited property in accordance with OCGA 9-16-19. District Attorney Victim’s Assistance Fund – to account for funds assessed and collected for victim assistance activities in accordance with OCGA 15-21-132. District Attorney Welfare Fraud Fund – to account for funds from the prosecution of food stamp fraud in accordance with the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia Food Stamp Program. Federal Asset Sharing Fund – to account for assets seized or confiscated by federal courts in accordance with the Department of Justice Equitable Sharing Program. State Condemnation Fund – to account for assets seized or confiscated by state courts in accordance with OCGA 16-13-49. Lodging Tax Fund - to account for hotel/motel tax collections, pursuant to OCGA 48-13-50 et seq. Multiple Grant Fund - to account for all grants not meeting the 2% materiality test (projected expenditures do not exceed 2% of the General Fund’s budgeted total operating expenditures), and not used to finance General Fund operations in accordance with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. 2020 Generator Grant Fund - to account for grant funds received from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for the purpose of purchasing and installing generators at fire stations and water utility sites. Sheriff’s Gift/Donations Fund - to account for funds donated to the Sheriff’s office from external persons or entities in accordance with Resolution No. 11-912 of the Board of Commissioners of Columbia County, GA. Insurance Premium Tax Fund - to account for services funded by insurance premium taxes, pursuant to OCGA 33-8-8.3 et seq. Community Events Fund - to account for special events funded by sponsor fees and ticket sales in accordance with Resolution No. 11-913 of the Board of Commissioners of Columbia County, GA. Memorial Wall Fund - to account for fees collected from the general public for the purpose of purchasing a wall plaque for the memorial wall in accordance with Resolution No. 17-025 of the Board of Commissioners of Columbia County, GA. Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority Fund - to account for funds mandated to be used to administer a statewide index for real estate and personal property records, pursuant to OCGA 15-6-94. Law Library Fund – to account for the activity of the Columbia County Law Library in accordance with OCGA 36-15-7. TSPLOST 25% Discretionary Fund – to account for collection of the discretionary portion (25%) of the transportation special local option sales tax proceeds and expenditures of those proceeds for transportation projects that are not capital projects, pursuant to OCGA 48-8-240 et seq. 60 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Notes to Financial Statements - Continued June 30, 2023 Note 1 – Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued) 2009 Capital Improvements Plan Fund – to account for the property acquisition and construction of projects to be funded with proceeds received from the issuance of the 2009 General Obligation Bonds and revenue from the special purpose local option sales tax collected from 2011 through 2016. 2017 General Obligation Bond Fund – to account for the property acquisition and construction of projects to be funded with proceeds received from the issuance of the 2017 General Obligation Bonds. 2023-2028 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax Fund – to account for the property acquisition and construction of projects designated to be funded by revenue from the special purpose local option sales tax collected during 2023 through 2028. Debt Service Fund – 2015 General Obligation Bond – to account for special purpose local option sales tax funds designated to be used for principal and interest payments on governmental fund debt, specifically the 2015 General Obligation Bonds. Debt Service Fund – 2016 General Obligation Bond – to account for property tax funds designated to be used for principal and interest payments on governmental fund debt, specifically the 2016 General Obligation Bonds. Debt Service Fund – 2017 General Obligation Bond – to account for property tax funds designated to be used for principal and interest payments on governmental fund debt, specifically the 2017 General Obligation Bonds. Debt Service Fund – 2022 General Obligation Bond – to account for property tax funds designated to be used for principal and interest payments on governmental fund debt, specifically the 2022 General Obligation Bonds. The County reports the following major enterprise funds: Water and Sewerage Fund - to account for operations of the utility as well as construction and maintenance of infrastructure. Storm Water Utility Fund – to account for the cost of providing storm water management services and maintaining and improving the County’s storm water infrastructure. Solid Waste Management Fund – to account for post-closure costs associated with the landfill facility and operations of the recycling center. The County reports the following nonmajor enterprise funds: Communications Utility Fund – to account for the cost of building, operating and maintaining the Columbia County Community Broadband Network. Savannah Rapids Pavilion Fund – to account for the operations and maintenance of the Savannah Rapids Pavilion. Performing Arts Center – to account for the operations and maintenance of the Performing Arts Center. Exhibition Center - to account for the operations and maintenance of the Exhibition Center. Additionally, the County reports the following fund types: Internal Service Funds - Internal Service Funds are used to account for the operations that provide services to other departments or agencies of the government on a cost-reimbursement basis. The County has six internal service funds: Employee Medical Fund - to account for employer and employee contributions to the County’s medical plan. Risk Management Fund - to account for the County’s risk management program. Utility Damage Prevention Fund – to account for costs associated with the location of County utilities. 61 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Notes to Financial Statements - Continued June 30, 2023 Note 1 - Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued) Customer Service/Information Center - to account for operations of the County’s customer service/information center. Fleet Replacement Fund – to account for the County’s vehicle/equipment replacement program. Geographic Information Systems – to account for the County’s GIS program. Employees’ Retirement Pension Trust Fund - This fund accounts for the employer’s contributions to the retirement program, together with interest and dividend income which are used to fund the program. Custodial Funds - Custodial funds are used to account for assets the County holds on behalf of others. The County maintains the following custodial funds: Clerk of Superior Court - to account for the receipt/disbursement of fines/fees made on behalf of third parties. Probate Court - to account for the receipt/disbursement of funds held on behalf of others under State law. Magistrate Court - to account for the receipt/disbursement of bonds and fines/fees made on behalf of third parties. Sheriff’s Office - to account for the receipt/disbursement of funds held on behalf of others under State law. Tax Commissioner’s Office - to account for tax billings, collections, and remittances held by the Tax Commissioner on behalf of other governmental agencies. Measurement Focus and Basis of Accounting Government-wide, Proprietary and Fiduciary Fund Financial Statements – The government-wide, proprietary fund, and fiduciary fund financial statements are reported using the economic resources measurement focus and the accrual basis of accounting. Revenues are recorded when earned and expenses are recorded at the time liabilities are incurred, regardless of when the related cash flows take place. Nonexchange transactions, in which the County gives (or receives) value without directly receiving (or giving) equal value in exchange, include property taxes, grants, and donations. On an accrual basis, revenue from property taxes is recognized in the fiscal year for which the taxes are levied. Revenue from grants and donations is recognized in the fiscal year in which all eligibility requirements have been satisfied. Amounts reported as program revenues include 1) charges to customers or applicants for goods, services, or privileges provided, 2) operating grants and contributions, and 3) capital grants and contributions, including special assessments. Internally dedicated resources are reported as general revenues rather than as program revenues. Likewise, general revenues include all taxes. Proprietary funds distinguish operating revenues and expenses from nonoperating items. Operating revenues and expenses generally result from providing services and producing and delivering goods in connection with a proprietary fund’s principal ongoing operations. The principal operating revenues of the County enterprise funds are charges to customers for sales and services. The County also recognizes as operating revenue the portion of tap fees intended to recover the cost of connecting new customers to the system. Operating expenses for enterprise funds include the cost of sales and services, administrative expenses, and depreciation on capital assets. All revenues and expenses not meeting this definition are reported as nonoperating revenues and expenses. Governmental Fund Financial Statements – Governmental funds are reported using the current financial resources measurement focus and the modified accrual basis of accounting. Under this method, revenues are recognized when measurable and available. Revenues are considered to be available when they are collectible within the current period or soon enough thereafter to pay liabilities of the current period. For this purpose, the government considers revenues to be available if they are collected within 60 days of the end of the current fiscal period. Expenditures are recorded when the related fund liability is incurred, except for principal and interest on general long-term debt, judgments, and compensated absences, which are recognized as expenditures to the extent they have matured. General capital asset acquisitions are reported as expenditures in governmental funds. Proceeds of general long-term debt and acquisitions under capital leases are reported as other financing sources. 62 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Notes to Financial Statements - Continued June 30, 2023 Note 1 - Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued) Those revenues susceptible to accrual are property taxes, licenses, interest revenues and charges for services. State-shared revenues collected and held by the state at year-end on behalf of the County also are recognized as revenue. Fines, fees and permits are not susceptible to accrual because generally they are not measurable until received in cash. Grant revenues which are unearned at year-end are recorded as unearned revenues. For reimbursement grants in which a qualifying expenditure has been incurred, the concept of availability applies just as it does to other revenue sources. However, to avoid recognizing expenditures in one year and related reimbursements in another, the County utilizes a longer availability period of 90 days. Under the terms of grant agreements, the County funds certain programs by a combination of specific cost-reimbursement grants, categorical block grants, and general revenues. Thus, when program expenses are incurred, both restricted and unrestricted net position is available to finance the program. The County’s policy is to first apply cost-reimbursement grant resources to such programs, followed by categorical block grants, and then general revenues. Cash and cash equivalents The County’s cash and cash equivalents are considered to be cash on hand, demand deposits, deposits with insignificant early withdrawal penalties, and short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less. The County follows GASB Statement No. 31, Accounting and Financial Reporting for Certain Investments and for External Investment Pools. Nonparticipating interest-earning investment contracts (investments whose value is not affected by interest rate or other market changes), including savings accounts, certificates of deposit, repurchase agreements, money market investments (short-term, highly liquid debt instruments including commercial paper, banker’s acceptances and U.S. Treasury and agency obligations) and participating interest-bearing investment contracts, that have a remaining maturity at purchase of one year or less are reported at cost or amortized cost assuming their fair value has not been impacted by changes in the credit worthiness of the issuer or similar factors. All other investments are reported at fair value (the amount at which a financial instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties, other than in a forced or liquidation sale). Investments In accordance with GASB Statement No. 72, Fair Value Measurement and Application, the County categorizes the fair value measurements of its investments based on the hierarchy established by generally accepted accounting principles. The fair value hierarchy, which has three levels, is based on the valuation inputs used to measure an asset’s fair value: Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets; Level 2 inputs are significant other observable inputs valued using a matrix pricing model; Level 3 inputs are significant unobservable inputs. The County does not have any investments that are measured using Level 3 inputs. Receivables All receivables are reported at their gross value and, where appropriate, are reduced by the estimated uncollectible portion. Allowance for bad debt The allowance for bad debt covers amounts owed from individuals, companies, and other entities which have purchased services from County owned entities or which have been provided services from the County. The allowance was determined by analysis of the year- end receivable balances for those accounts which the County believes will not be collected based on past history. Interfund receivables/payables and internal balances During the course of operations, numerous transactions occur between individual funds for goods provided or services rendered. These receivables and payables are classified as “due from other funds” or “due to other funds” on the balance sheet of the fund financial statements and as “internal balances” on the statement of net position in the government-wide financial statements. Inventories and prepaid items Inventories are valued at cost using the first-in/first-out (FIFO) method. The costs of governmental fund-type inventories are recorded as expenditures when consumed rather than when purchased. The inventory balance included in the statement of net position and the governmental funds balance sheet includes redevelopment property held for resale in the amount of $1.67 million. Certain payments to vendors reflect costs applicable to future accounting periods and are recorded as prepaid items. Prepaid items are accounted for using the allocation method whereby an asset is established at the time of payment and subsequently amortized over the accounting periods that are expected to benefit from the initial payment. 63 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Notes to Financial Statements - Continued June 30, 2023 Note 1 - Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued) Restricted assets Proceeds from debt and funds set aside for payment of Enterprise Fund revenue bonds are classified as restricted assets since their use is limited by applicable bond indebtedness. Other cash funds available for use for specific purposes are classified as restricted. When both restricted and unrestricted resources are available for use, the County’s policy is to use restricted resources first, then unrestricted resources as they are needed. Capital assets Capital assets are defined by the County as assets with an initial, individual cost of more than $5,000 and an estimated useful life in excess of one year. This minimum capitalization cost is applicable for all categories of capital assets, with the exception of subscription- based information technology arrangements (SBITAs) which are $25,000. Purchased or constructed capital assets are reported at cost or estimated historical cost. Donated capital assets, donated works of art and similar items, and capital assets received in a service concession arrangement should be reported at acquisition value rather than fair value. General infrastructure assets acquired prior to July 1, 2002, consist of the streets network that was acquired or that received substantial improvements subsequent to July 1, 1980. The streets network is reported at estimated historical cost using deflated replacement cost. The cost of normal maintenance and repairs that do not add to the value of the asset or materially extend assets’ lives are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method. A summary of the estimated useful lives is as follows: Vehicles 3 to 8 years Furniture and fixtures 3 to 8 years Machinery and equipment 5 to 10 years Utility plant and distribution systems 10 to 50 years Storm water systems 10 to 50 years Land improvements 10 to 50 years Buildings and improvements 10 to 50 years Donated subdivisions 25 to 75 years Infrastructure 25 to 75 years Leases The County implemented GASB Statement No. 87, Leases, as of July 1, 2021. The County is a lessee for leases of building space and equipment. As such, the County has recognized a lease liability and right-to-use lease assets in the government-wide and proprietary fund financial statements. At the commencement of a lease, the County initially measures the lease liability at the present value of payments expected to be made during the lease term. Subsequently, the lease liability is reduced by the principal portion of lease payments made. The lease asset is initially measured as the initial amount of the lease liability, adjusted for lease payments made at or before the lease commencement date, plus certain initial direct costs. The lease asset is then amortized in a systematic and rational manner over the shorter of the lease term or the life of the underlying asset. The amortization of the lease assets is reported as an outflow of resources. Key estimates and judgments related to leases include how the County determines the discount rate it uses to discount the expected lease payments to present value, the lease term, and lease payments. The County uses the interest rate charged by the lessor as the discount rate. When the interest rate charged by the lessor is not provided, the County generally uses its estimated incremental borrowing rate as the discount rate for leases. The lease term includes the noncancellable period of the lease. Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability are composed of fixed payments and purchase option price that the County is reasonably certain to exercise. The County monitors changes in circumstances that would require a remeasurement of its leases and will remeasure the lease asset and liability if certain changes occur that are expected to significantly affect the amount of the lease liability. Lease assets are reported with other capital assets and lease liabilities are reported with long‐ term debt on the statement of net position. The County is a lessor for buildings and towers. As such, the County recognizes a lease receivable and a deferred inflow of resources in the government‐wide, governmental fund, and proprietary fund financial statements. At the commencement of a lease, the County initially measures the lease receivable at the present value of payments expected to be received during the lease term. Subsequently, the lease receivable is reduced by the principal portion of lease payments received. The deferred inflow of resources is initially measured as the initial amount of the lease receivable, adjusted for lease payments received at or before the lease commencement date. Subsequently, the deferred inflow of resources is recognized as revenue over the life of the lease term. 64 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Notes to Financial Statements - Continued June 30, 2023 Note 1 - Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued) Key estimates and judgments include how the County determines the discount rate it uses to discount the expected lease receipts to present value, the lease term, and lease receipts. The County uses its estimated incremental borrowing rate as the discount rate for leases. The lease term includes the noncancellable period of the lease. Lease receipts included in the measurement of the lease receivable is composed of fixed payments from the lessee. The County monitors changes in circumstances that would require a remeasurement of its leases and will remeasure the lease receivable and deferred inflows of resources if certain changes occur that are expected to significantly affect the amount of the lease receivable. Subscription Based Information Technology Arrangements The County implemented GASB Statement No. 96, Subscription-Based Information Technology Arrangements, as of July 1, 2022. This statement defines a SBITA establishes that a SBITA results in a right-to-use subscription asset and a corresponding subscription liability; provides the capitalization criteria for outlays other than subscription payments, including implementation costs of a SBITA; and requires note disclosures regarding a SBITA. The County has recorded SBITA assets and liabilities as a result of implementing GASB 96. The SBITA assets are initially measured at an amount equal to the initial measurement of the related SBITA liability plus any SBITA payments made prior to the subscription term, less SBITA incentives, and plus any ancillary charges necessary to place the SBITA into service. The SBITA assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the related contract. SBITAs which are based on variable payments (or user seats) are not recorded as subscription assets or liabilities and are expensed as incurred. Compensated absences The County’s policy is to permit employees to accumulate earned but unused leave benefits. The County’s government-wide and proprietary funds include an accrual for the estimated compensation costs attributable to employee earned but unused leave benefits. Long-term obligations In the government-wide and proprietary fund financial statements, long-term debt and other long-term obligations are reported as liabilities in the applicable governmental activities, business-type activities, or proprietary fund type statement of net position. Bond premiums and discounts are deferred and amortized over the life of the bonds using the effective interest method. Bonds payable are reported net of the applicable bond premiums or discounts. In the governmental fund financial statements, governmental fund types recognize bond premiums and discounts, as well as bond issuance costs, during the period the costs are incurred. The face amount of debt issued and premiums on debt issuances are reported as other financing sources while discounts on debt issuances are reported as other financing uses. Issuance costs, whether or not withheld from the actual debt proceeds received, are reported as debt service expenditures. Deferred Outflows / Inflows of Resources In addition to assets, the statements of net position will sometimes report a separate section for deferred outflows of resources. This separate financial statement element represents a consumption of net assets that applies to a future period(s) and so will not be recognized as an outflow of resources (expense / expenditure) until then. The County has two items that qualify for reporting in this category. A deferred loss on refunding is reported in the government-wide and proprietary funds statements of net position, which results from the difference in the carrying value of refunded debt and its reacquisition price. This amount is deferred and amortized over the shorter of the life of the refunded debt or the refunding debt. In the estimate of the net OPEB liability, deferred outflows were reported in the government-wide and proprietary funds statements of net position related to changes in assumptions. In addition to liabilities, the statements of net position and balance sheets will sometimes report a separate section for deferred inflows of resources. This separate financial statement element represents an acquisition of net assets that applies to a future period(s) and so will not be recognized as an inflow of resources (revenue) until that time. The County has five items that qualify for reporting in this category. Unavailable revenue which arises only under a modified accrual basis of accounting is reported in the governmental funds balance sheet and will be recognized as an inflow of resources in the period in which the amounts become available. A deferred gain on refunding is reported in the government-wide and proprietary funds statements of net position, which results from the difference in the carrying value of refunded debt and its reacquisition price. This amount is deferred and amortized over the shorter of the life of the 65 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Notes to Financial Statements - Continued June 30, 2023 Note 1 - Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued) refunded debt or the refunding debt. A deferred inflow related to leases is reported in the government-wide, governmental funds, and proprietary funds statements of net position. This amount is deferred and amortized over the shorter of the lease term or the life of the underlying asset. In the estimate of the net OPEB liability, deferred inflows were reported in the government-wide and proprietary fund statements of net position related to changes in assumptions and differences between expected and actual experience. Information on deferred outflows/inflows of resources for the CCBOH is included in Note 13. Use of estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues, expenses and expenditures during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Fund equity Fund equity in government-wide and proprietary fund financial statements is classified as net position. Net position is classified as: • Net investment in capital assets - This classification represents capital assets, net of accumulated depreciation, reduced by the outstanding balances of any bonds, notes, or other borrowings that are attributable to the acquisition, construction, or improvement of those assets. • Restricted - Restricted net position represents constraints on resources that are either externally imposed by creditors, grantors, contributors, or laws or regulations of other governments or imposed by law through state statute. • Unrestricted - Unrestricted net position consists of net position that does not meet the definition of the other classifications. Fund equity in the governmental fund financial statements is classified as fund balance. Generally, fund balance represents the difference between current assets and current liabilities. In the fund financial statements, governmental funds report fund balance classifications that comprise a hierarchy based primarily on the extent to which the County is bound to honor constraints on the specific purposes for which amounts in those funds can be spent. Fund balances are classified as follows: • Nonspendable – Fund balances are reported as nonspendable when amounts cannot be spent because they are either not in spendable form or legally or contractually required to be maintained intact. • Restricted – Fund balances are reported as restricted when there are limitations imposed on their use either through the enabling legislation adopted by the County or through external restrictions imposed by creditors, grantors, contributors, or laws or regulations of other governments or imposed by law through state statute. • Committed – Fund balances are reported as committed when they can be used only for specific purposes pursuant to constraints imposed by formal action of the Board through the adoption of an ordinance. The Board is the highest level of decision-making authority for the County that can commit fund balance. Once adopted, the limitation imposed by the formal action remains in place until a similar action is taken to modify or rescind the commitment. • Assigned – Fund balances are reported as assigned when amounts are constrained by the Board’s intent to be used for specific purposes, but are neither restricted nor committed. Assignments typically are created when analyzing fund balance at the end of the fiscal year or when appropriating the subsequent year’s annual budget. Through policy, authorization to assign fund balance remains with the Board. • Unassigned – Fund balances are reported as unassigned as the residual amount when the balances do not meet any of the above criterion. The County reports positive unassigned fund balance in the general fund only. Negative unassigned fund balances may be reported in all governmental funds. Flow assumptions When both restricted and unrestricted amounts of fund balance are available for use for expenditures incurred, the County’s policy is to use restricted amounts first and then unrestricted amounts as they are needed. For unrestricted amounts of fund balance, the County’s policy is to use fund balance in the following order: • Committed • Assigned • Unassigned 66 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Notes to Financial Statements - Continued June 30, 2023 Note 1 - Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued) Minimum fund balance The Board has adopted a financial policy to maintain a General Fund unassigned fund balance of 100 days of operations. This minimum fund balance, which may only be used as required by authority of the Board, is to provide for operating contingencies in either revenues or expenditures, and to provide adequate funds to operate without short-term borrowing. In the event the unassigned fund balance falls below the minimum level of 100 days of operations, the County Manager will present a plan to the Board as part of the subsequent fiscal year’s annual budget to replenish the fund balance to the established minimum level in a reasonable time frame, generally 1 to 3 years. Budget surpluses will first be used towards replenishment, followed by the use of non-recurring revenues. Note 2 - Stewardship, compliance, and accountability Budgetary information Budgets are adopted on a basis consistent with GAAP. Annual appropriated budgets are adopted for the general fund, special revenue funds, and debt service funds. The County adopts a project length budget for each capital project fund. The County follows these procedures in establishing the budgetary data reflected in the financial statements: 1. Prior to June 1, the Director of Internal Services begins receiving various departmental and agency budget requests for the fiscal year commencing July 1. 2. The County Manager, Director of Internal Services, the Board and other administrative personnel review in detail the budget requests with the departments and agencies. 3. Along with the budget review, public hearings are conducted to obtain citizen comments. 4. The proposed operating budgets are formally adopted by the Board in June for the fiscal year commencing July 1. 5. The legal level of budgetary control is the department level. 6. All appropriations lapse at year-end. 7. The operating budgets originally adopted may be amended throughout the year as presented below: a. Transfers within departments $5,000 or less may be authorized by the Internal Services Director. b. Transfers within departments in excess of $5,000 may be authorized by the County Manager. c. The following must be reviewed by the Management and Internal Services Committee and approved by the Board: • Transfers between departments or funds • Increase or decrease in the total fund appropriation • Increase or decrease in salary appropriation within any department • Appropriation of fund balances in excess of established reserve requirements Excess of expenditures over appropriations in individual departments During the year, County expenditures did not exceed the total budget authorization. Deficit fund balances or net position The following funds had deficits at June 30, 2023: • Transportation SPLOST – The fund deficit of $2,694,485 is due to a difference in the timing of expenditures and grant reimbursements. This deficit is expected to be recovered from reimbursements received in the next fiscal year. • Accountability Court Fund - The fund deficit of $15,197 is due to a difference in the timing of expenditures and grant reimbursements. This deficit is expected to be recovered from reimbursements received in the next fiscal year. • Generator Grant Fund – The fund deficit of $152,566 is due to a difference in the timing of expenditures and grant reimbursements. This deficit is expected to be recovered from reimbursements received in the next fiscal year. • Exhibition Center – The fund deficit of $250,322 is due to the creation of a new fund. This deficit is expected to be recovered from user fees or contributions from the General Fund. 67 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Notes to Financial Statements - Continued June 30, 2023 Note 3 - Deposits and investments Deposits: Deposits and investments as of June 30, 2023, are classified in the accompanying financial statements as follows: Statement of net position: Primary Government Cash and cash equivalents - unrestricted 43,862,030 $ Investments - unrestricted 96,858,858 Cash and cash equivalents - restricted 29,149,156 Investments - restricted 116,169,410 286,039,454 $ Component Units Cash and cash equivalents - unrestricted - Development Authority 7,058,384 $ Cash and cash equivalents - unrestricted - Board of Health 3,892,358 Cash and cash equivalents - unrestricted - Convention and Visitors Bureau 710,848 Investments - unrestricted - Convention and Visitors Bureau 107,976 Cash and cash equivalents - unrestricted - Greater Clarks Hill Regional Library 463,481 12,233,047 $ Fiduciary funds: Cash and cash equivalents - unrestricted 21,981,964 $ Investments - unrestricted 65,598,055 87,580,019 $ Investments: The County had the following assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis and related investment maturities as of June 30, 2023: Primary Government Maturities Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Total US Treasury Obligations - $ - $ 158,506,237 $ - $ 158,506,237 Federal Home Loan Mortgage 01/05/25 - 07/15/26 - 4,135,306 - 4,135,306 Federal National Mortgage Assoc 09/12/23 - 07/29/30 - 2,158,414 - 2,158,414 Federal Farm Credit Bank 12/09/25 - 06/24/30 - 7,725,216 - 7,725,216 Federal Home Loan Bank 06/10/24 - 06/25/40 - 32,195,438 - 32,195,438 Municpal Bonds 10/01/23 - 08/01/33 - 2,333,541 - 2,333,541 Other Mutual Funds - 65,598,055 - - 65,598,055 Certificates of Deposit - 5,974,116 - - 5,974,116 $ 71,572,171 $ 207,054,152 $ - $ 278,626,323 Total Investments for the County, including fiduciary funds, excluding component units 68 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Notes to Financial Statements - Continued June 30, 2023 Note 3 - Deposits and investments (Continued) Interest Rate Risk. The County’s formal investment policy does not limit investment maturities as a means of managing its exposure to fair value losses arising from increasing interest rates. Credit Risk. The Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) Section 36-80-3 authorizes the County to invest in obligations of the State of Georgia, other states, or the United States Government; obligations fully insured or guaranteed by the United States Government or an agency or corporation of the United States Government; and/or repurchase agreements and certificates of deposit which are secured by direct obligations of Georgia or the United States Government. The County’s investment policy further limits its investment choices to not include repurchase agreements or obligations of other states. The County’s investments in US Agencies (Federal Home Loan Mortgage, Federal Farm Credit Bank, Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal National Mortgage Association) are rated AA+ by Standard & Poor’s and Aaa by Moody’s Investors Service. The municipal bond investment is rated AA- by Standard and Poor’s. The Pension Trust Fund had investments in the bond mutual funds American Funds High Income, which had an average credit rating of B, and PIMCO Total Return Fund that no longer reports an average credit rating. Certificates of Deposit are secured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The County’s formal investment policy does not include limitations on credit ratings. Custodial Credit Risk. For an investment, custodial credit risk is the risk that in the event of the failure of the counterparty, the County will not be able to recover the value of its investments or collateral securities that are in the possession of an outside party. The County’s investment policy requires collateralization of all deposits in accordance with the OCGA. To provide for adequate safekeeping of securities, the securities shall be delivered to the County’s depository bank unless the deposit being secured is with that bank, in which event the collateral securities will be delivered to a third party bank with which the County has a fully executed and approved safekeeping agreement. As of June 30, 2023, all of the deposits of the County and the component units were properly insured and collateralized as required by the OCGA Section 45-8-12(c) and as defined by GASB pronouncements. The County uses the pooled method to collateralize funds, which are held in the name of the Board. Concentration of Credit Risk. The County’s formal investment policy places limits on the amount that the County may invest in any one issuer and in any one security/instrument. Note 4 - Receivables Taxes receivable Property taxes are an enforceable lien on property owned as of January 1. The tax rate is normally set by the end of August, and property taxes may be paid after receipt of the tax bill. Taxes are delinquent 61 days after mailing by the Tax Commissioner. Property tax revenues are recognized when they become measurable and available. Available revenues include those property tax receivables expected to be collected within 60 days. Vehicles become subject to property tax on January 1 following the year of purchase. The tax is due on the registered owner’s date of birth. Tax is determined based on the assessed value of the vehicle as of January 1. Property taxes are recorded as receivables when levied. Property taxes receivable, reduced by an allowance for doubtful accounts and amounts collected within 60 days of the statement date (the amount “available”), is recorded as deferred revenue until collected. Such revenue is deferred because the amount is measurable, although not available. Taxes receivable in the General Fund was reduced by an allowance for doubtful accounts of $41,000. Property taxes were levied on August 12, 2022. Tax bills were mailed on September 2, 2022, and were due upon receipt. Property taxes were delinquent if not paid by November 15, 2022. 69 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Notes to Financial Statements - Continued June 30, 2023 Note 4 – Receivables (continued) Accounts receivable The receivable amounts on the accompanying statements are net of an allowance for doubtful accounts as follows: Receivable Taxes receivable Fund General Fund Allowance Amount $ 41,000 Accounts receivable Water and Sewerage Fund $ 1,516,364 Accounts receivable Storm Water Utility Fund $ 203,148 Lease Receivable Governmental activities. The County leases building space to various third parties. As of June 30, 2023, the County had a lease receivable of $634,872. The County considers the receivable to be fully collectible. These leases have a discount rate of 2.55% with total annual payments ranging from $3,850 to $242,000 extending through 2028. Business-type activities. The County leases building and tower space to various third parties. As of June 30, 2023, the County had a lease receivable of $487,854. The County considers the receivable to be fully collectible. These leases have a discount rate of 2.55% with total annual payments ranging from $5,495 to $52,559 extending through 2028. Note 5 - Interfund balances and activities Due From/To Other Funds The composition of interfund balances, which represent short-term loans between funds for cash management purposes, as of June 30, 2023, is as follows: Payable Fund General Fire TAVT Water & Sewer Storm Water Nonmajor Governmental Nonmajor Enterprise Internal Service Total General $ - $ 1,222,991 $ 22,977,128 $ - $ - $ 10,755,802 $ 1,262 $ 3,605,287 $ 38,562,470 ARPA 486,752 - - - - - 486,752 17-22 SPLOST 3,345,735 - - - - - - - 3,345,735 TSPLOST 5,995,375 - - - - - 5,995,375 Water & Sewer 245,153 - - - 21,797 - - - 266,950 Storm Water 67,873 - - - - - - 67,873 Solid Waste 2,988,632 - - - - - - - 2,988,632 Nonmajor Gov 333,212 - - - - - - - 333,212 Nonmajor Ent 660,158 - - - - - - - 660,158 Internal Service 3,637,782 - - 1,032,868 - - - - 4,670,650 $ 17,760,672 $ 1,222,991 $ 22,977,128 $ 1,032,868 $ 21,797 $ 10,755,802 $ 1,262 $ 3,605,287 $ 57,377,807 Receivable Fund 70 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Notes to Financial Statements - Continued June 30, 2023 Note 5 - Interfund balances and activities (Continued) Advances To/From Other Funds Advances to/from other funds as of June 30, 2023, which represent long-term loans made to other funds, are summarized below: Receivable Fund Payable Fund Amount General Fund Nonmajor Enterprise $3,000,000 Transfers To/From Other Funds Transfers in (out) for the year ended June 30, 2023, are summarized below: Transfers out: General 2017-2022 SPLOST TAVT TSPLOST Water and Sewer Fund Solid Waste Management Fund Nonmajor Governmental Nonmajor Enterprise Internal Service Total General $ - $ - $ 18,824,570 $ - $ - $ 415,097 $ 47 $ 300,000 $ 7,500,000 $ 27,039,714 Fire Services Fund - - - - - - 15,159 - - 15,159 ARPA - - 2,950,786 - 585,380 - - - - 3,536,166 2017-2022 SPLOST - - - - - - 2,240,435 - - 2,240,435 Water and Sewer Fund - - - - - - 375 - - 375 Nonmajor Governmental 1,894,210 227,217 - 216,265 - - 2,252,317 - - 4,590,009 Internal Service Fund - - - - - - - 430,348 430,348 Total transfers $ 1,894,210 $ 227,217 $ 21,775,356 $ 216,265 $ 585,380 $ 415,097 $ 4,508,333 $ 300,000 $ 7,930,348 $ 37,852,206 Transfers in: Transfers between funds are used to move revenues from the fund with collection authorization to the debt service funds as principal and interest payments become due, move resources to provide an annual subsidy to other funds, and to account for the total cost of capital projects with multiple funding sources in one capital projects fund. 71 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Notes to Financial Statements - Continued June 30, 2023 Note 6 – Capital assets During the year ended June 30, 2023, no assets were transferred between governmental activities and business-type activities. A summary of changes in the capital assets is as follows: Beginning Balances Increases Decreases Ending Balances Governmental Activities: Capital assets not being depreciated: Land 30,494,549 $ 1,212,009 $ - $ 31,706,558 $ Infrastructure - Right of way land 46,632,942 4,720,307 - 51,353,249 Construction in progress 60,590,785 50,863,717 (36,699,184) 74,755,318 Total capital assets not being depreciated 137,718,276 56,796,033 (36,699,184) 157,815,125 Capital assets being depreciated/amortized: Buildings 197,365,658 10,985,154 - 208,350,812 Improvements other than buildings 58,861,900 2,061,838 - 60,923,738 Infrastructure 361,785,408 23,443,061 - 385,228,469 Vehicles, machinery and equipment 69,613,973 2,990,741 - 72,604,714 Right-to-use leased buildings 472,619 - - 472,619 Right-to-use leased equipment 528,469 30,150 - 558,619 Subscription asset - 197,586 - 197,586 Total capital assets being depreciated 688,628,027 39,708,530 - 728,336,557 Less accumulated depreciation/amortization for: Buildings (91,056,985) (6,902,101) - (97,959,086) Improvements other than buildings (12,174,888) (1,581,414) - (13,756,302) Infrastructure (270,414,201) (11,720,223) - (282,134,424) Vehicles, machinery and equipment (55,938,243) (5,633,789) - (61,572,032) Right-to-use leased buildings (229,676) (229,674) - (459,350) Right-to-use leased equipment (207,609) (321,130) - (528,739) Subscription asset - (94,723) - (94,723) (430,021,602) (26,483,054) - (456,504,656) Total capital assets being depreciated/amortized, net 258,606,425 13,225,476 - 271,831,901 Governmental activities capital assets, net 396,324,701 $ 70,021,509 $ (36,699,184) $ 429,647,026 $ Total accumulated depreciation/amortization General government $ 3,646,513 Judicial 690,765 Public safety 4,804,428 Public works 12,689,318 Health and welfare 256,840 Culture and recreation 4,387,079 Housing and development 8,111 $ 26,483,054 Depreciation/amortization expense was charged to functions as follows for Governmental Activities: 72 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Notes to Financial Statements - Continued June 30, 2023 Note 6 – Capital assets (Continued) Beginning Balances Increases Decreases Ending Balances Business-type Activities: Water and Sewerage Fund Capital assets not being depreciated: Land 998,336 $ 870,324 $ - $ 1,868,660 $ Construction in progress 11,499,144 12,475,829 (7,377,945) 16,597,028 Total capital assets not being depreciated 12,497,480 13,346,153 (7,377,945) 18,465,688 Capital assets being depreciated: Land improvements 38,932 18,550 - 57,482 Buildings 9,566,331 24,601 - 9,590,932 Utility plant and distribution systems 324,823,811 7,044,086 - 331,867,897 Donated subdivisions 136,708,271 7,555,312 - 144,263,583 Machinery and equipment 12,979,202 1,205,618 - 14,184,820 Furniture and fixtures 220,702 - - 220,702 Vehicles 6,721,898 104,333 - 6,826,231 Total capital assets being depreciated 491,059,147 15,952,500 - 507,011,647 Less accumulated depreciation for: Land improvements (17,515) (2,095) - (19,610) Buildings (4,072,668) (363,203) - (4,435,871) Utility plant and distribution systems (115,872,950) (8,094,733) - (123,967,683) Donated subdivisions (57,297,900) (3,253,508) - (60,551,408) Machinery and equipment (8,682,760) (797,159) - (9,479,919) Furniture and fixtures (205,157) (1,542) - (206,699) Vehicles (6,171,784) (306,610) - (6,478,394) Total accumulated depreciation (192,320,734) (12,818,850) - (205,139,584) Total capital assets being depreciated, net 298,738,413 3,133,650 - 301,872,063 Water and Sewerage Fund capital assets, net 311,235,893 $ 16,479,803 $ (7,377,945) $ 320,337,751 $ 73 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Notes to Financial Statements - Continued June 30, 2023 Note 6 – Capital assets (Continued) Beginning Balances Increases Decreases Ending Balances Business-type Activities - continued: Storm Water Utility Fund Capital assets not being depreciated: Land 1,001,808 $ - $ - $ 1,001,808 $ Capital assets being depreciated: Land improvements 847,568 - - 847,568 Machinery and equipment 4,089,048 182,576 - 4,271,624 Furniture and fixtures 8,449 - - 8,449 Vehicles 1,689,818 - - 1,689,818 Storm water systems 17,325,458 574,830 - 17,900,288 Donated subdivisions 55,238,313 2,874,001 - 58,112,314 Total capital assets being depreciated 79,198,654 3,631,407 - 82,830,061 Less accumulated depreciation for: Land improvements (688,588) (41,388) - (729,976) Machinery and equipment (2,311,407) (352,941) - (2,664,348) Furniture and fixtures (8,449) - - (8,449) Vehicles (1,501,242) (87,138) - (1,588,380) Storm water systems (5,417,507) (864,067) - (6,281,574) Donated subdivisions (31,406,687) (2,428,458) - (33,835,145) Total accumulated depreciation (41,333,880) (3,773,992) - (45,107,872) Total capital assets being depreciated, net 37,864,774 (142,585) - 37,722,189 Storm Water Utility Fund capital assets, net 38,866,582 $ (142,585) $ - $ 38,723,997 $ Solid Waste Management Fund Capital assets not being depreciated: Land 552,894 $ - $ - $ 552,894 $ Capital assets being depreciated: Land improvements 6,446,319 - - 6,446,319 Buildings 907,096 - - 907,096 Machinery and equipment 511,303 - - 511,303 Total capital assets being depreciated 7,864,718 - - 7,864,718 Less accumulated depreciation for: Land improvements (6,446,319) - - (6,446,319) Buildings (393,406) (34,891) - (428,297) Machinery and equipment (438,607) (12,717) - (451,324) Total accumulated depreciation (7,278,332) (47,608) - (7,325,940) Total capital assets being depreciated, net 586,386 (47,608) - 538,778 Solid Waste Management Fund capital assets, net 1,139,280 $ (47,608) $ - $ 1,091,672 $ 74 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Notes to Financial Statements - Continued June 30, 2023 Note 6 – Capital assets (Continued) Beginning Balances Increases Decreases Ending Balances Business-type Activities - continued: Savannah Rapids Pavilion Capital assets not being depreciated: Land 134,630 $ - $ - $ 134,630 $ Capital assets being depreciated: Buildings 5,618,373 - - 5,618,373 Machinery and equipment 19,958 - - 19,958 Vehicles 5,370 - - 5,370 Total capital assets being depreciated 5,643,701 - - 5,643,701 Less accumulated depreciation for: Buildings (4,251,001) (122,582) - (4,373,583) Machinery and equipment (19,958) - - (19,958) Vehicles (5,370) - - (5,370) Total accumulated depreciation (4,276,329) (122,582) - (4,398,911) Total capital assets being depreciated, net 1,367,372 (122,582) - 1,244,790 Savannah Rapids Pavilion capital assets, net 1,502,002 $ (122,582) $ - $ 1,379,420 $ Communication Utility Fund Capital assets being depreciated/amortized: Infrastructure 17,799,437 $ 934,201 $ - $ 18,733,638 $ Vehicles 164,866 - - 164,866 Machinery and equipment 2,323,544 - - 2,323,544 Right-to-use leased building 66,173 - - 66,173 Total capital assets being depreciated/amortized 20,354,020 934,201 - 21,288,221 Less accumulated depreciation/amortization for: Infrastructure (7,517,412) (837,779) - (8,355,191) Vehicles (131,512) (13,533) - (145,045) Machinery and equipment (2,204,106) (110,763) - (2,314,869) Right-to-use leased building (18,047) (18,047) - (36,094) Total accumulated depreciation/amortization (9,871,077) (980,122) - (10,851,199) Total capital assets being depreciated/amortized, net 10,482,943 (45,921) - 10,437,022 Communications Utility Fund capital assets, net 10,482,943 $ (45,921) $ - $ 10,437,022 $ 75 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Notes to Financial Statements - Continued June 30, 2023 Note 6 – Capital assets (Continued) Beginning Balances Increases Decreases Ending Balances Business-type Activities - continued: Performing Arts Center Capital assets being amortized: Subscription assets - $ 56,326 $ - $ 56,326 $ Less accumulated amortization - (28,163) - (28,163) Total capital assets being amortized, net - 28,163 - 28,163 Performing Arts Center capital assets, net - $ 28,163 $ - $ 28,163 $ Beginning Balances Increases Decreases Ending Balances Discretely presented component units: DACC Capital assets not being depreciated: Land 5,841,701 $ 1,593,013 $ - $ 7,434,714 $ Capital assets being depreciated: Furniture and equipment 8,927 - - 8,927 Less accumulated depreciation (3,273) (1,785) - (5,058) Total capital assets being depreciated, net 5,654 (1,785) - 3,869 DACC capital assets, net 5,847,355 $ 1,591,228 $ - $ 7,438,583 $ Capital assets being depreciated: Furniture and equipment 14,900 $ - $ - $ 14,900 $ Less accumulated depreciation (7,556) (1,185) - (8,741) Total capital assets being depreciated, net 7,344 (1,185) - 6,159 capital assets, net 7,344 $ (1,185) $ - $ 6,159 $ Capital assets being depreciated: Furniture and equipment 13,066 $ - $ - $ 13,066 $ Less accumulated depreciation (13,066) - - (13,066) Total capital assets being depreciated, net - - - - capital assets, net - $ - $ - $ - $ 76 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Notes to Financial Statements - Continued June 30, 2023 Note 7 - Long-term and short-term obligations A. General obligation bonds General Obligation Bonds Series 2015 – serviced by special purpose local option sales taxes On July 30, 2015, the County issued the $15,000,000 Columbia County, Georgia, General Obligation Sales Tax Bonds, Series 2015, with interest rates ranging between 4.0% and 5.0%. The Series 2015 Bonds were issued to finance the costs of acquiring, constructing, and equipping certain capital outlay projects of the County, pay capitalized interest and pay expenses incident to the issuance of the Bonds. During the fiscal year, the County repaid all of the outstanding bonds. As a result, the Series 2015 Bonds are no longer a liability of the County and have no outstanding principal at June 30, 2023. General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2016A – serviced by property taxes dedicated for debt service On October 6, 2016, in connection with the refunding of the General Obligation Refunding Bonds Series 2007A, the County issued a $14,400,000 direct purchase general obligation refunding bond, Series 2016A, with an interest rate of 1.81%. The Series 2016A bond was issued to refund $14,155,000 of the outstanding Series 2007A General Obligation Refunding Bonds with interest rates ranging between 4.0% and 4.25%. The County used the net proceeds to repay all of the outstanding 2007A Series bonds maturing in 2018 through 2024. As a result, the 2007A Series bonds are no longer a liability of the County. Interest on the Series 2016A bond is to be paid semi-annually on January 1 and July 1 and principal is paid January 1 of each year. General Obligation Bonds Series 2017 – serviced by property taxes dedicated for debt service On February 14, 2017, the County issued the $60,000,000 Columbia County, Georgia, General Obligation Bonds, Series 2017, with an interest rate of 5.0%. In connection with the issuance of the Series 2022 General Obligation Taxable Refunding Bond, the County partially refunded Series 2017 in the amount of $38,325,000. The Series 2017 Bonds were issued to finance the costs of acquiring, constructing, and equipping certain capital outlay projects of the County and pay expenses incident to the issuance of the Bonds. Interest on the Series 2017 bonds is to be paid semi-annually on January 1 and July 1 and principal is paid January 1 of each year. General Obligation Refunding Bonds Series 2022 – serviced by property taxes dedicated for debt service On March 31, 2022, in connection with the refunding of the General Obligation Bonds Series 2017, the County issued a $49,990,000 direct purchase general obligation taxable refunding bond, Series 2022, with an interest rate of 2.55%. The Series 2022 bond was issued to advance refund $38,325,000 of the outstanding series 2017 general obligation bonds, maturing from 2028-2037, with an interest rate of 5.0%. The County used the net proceeds to purchase U.S. government securities, which were deposited in an irrevocable trust with an escrow agent to provide for all future debt service on the refunded 2017 series bonds. As a result, the portion of the 2017 series bonds that were refunded are considered defeased, and the County has removed the liability from its accounts. Interest on the Series 2022 bond is to be paid semi-annually on January 1 and July 1 and principal is paid January 1 of each year. B. Summary of General Obligation Bonds outstanding A summary of general obligation bond indebtedness as of June 30, 2023, is as follows: General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2016A 2,245,000 $ General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2017 10,805,000 General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2022 44,150,000 Bond issue premiums 1,867,662 Total outstanding general obligation bond debt 59,067,662 $ 77 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Notes to Financial Statements - Continued June 30, 2023 Note 7 - Long-term and short-term obligations (Continued) The annual principal and interest requirements for the County’s outstanding general obligation debt as of June 30, 2023, are: June 30, Principal Interest Total Rate 2024 2,245,000 $ 40,635 $ 2,285,635 $ 1.81 2,245,000 $ 40,635 $ 2,285,635 $ 2024 2,505,000 $ 540,250 $ 3,045,250 $ 5.00 2025 2,635,000 415,000 3,050,000 5.00 2026 2,765,000 283,250 3,048,250 5.00 2027 2,900,000 145,000 3,045,000 5.00 10,805,000 $ 1,383,500 $ 12,188,500 $ 2024 510,000 $ 1,125,826 $ 1,635,826 $ 2.55 2025 520,000 1,112,820 1,632,820 2.55 2026 535,000 1,099,560 1,634,560 2.55 2027 550,000 1,085,918 1,635,918 2.55 2028 3,835,000 1,071,892 4,906,892 2.55 2029-2033 20,375,000 3,852,032 24,227,032 2.55 2034-2037 17,825,000 1,147,502 18,972,502 2.55 44,150,000 $ 10,495,550 $ 54,645,550 $ Governmental Activities General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2016A General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2017 General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2022 C. Revenue Bonds – serviced by the Water and Sewerage Fund (the “System”) The Water and Sewerage Revenue Bond Resolutions provide that certain funds be established and maintained while the bonds are outstanding. The funds required and the purpose of each, are as follows: 1. Revenue Fund - To receive all revenue of the water and sewer operation, and fund the other required funds. 2. Sinking Funds - To provide a means for payment of principal and interest. 3. Renewal and Extension Fund - To make replacements, additions, extensions and improvements to the system, and to pay principal and interest on bonds and any obligations payable from the sinking fund. 4. Arbitrage Rebate Fund - To assure compliance with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. The resolutions specify the minimum levels of funding required to be maintained in the sinking funds and the Renewal and Extension fund. The following is a schedule of the outstanding revenue bonds in the System: Series 2014 In connection with the refunding of the 2004 Water and Sewerage Revenue Bonds, the System issued a direct purchase Water and Sewerage Refunding Revenue Bond, Series 2014, in the aggregate principal amount of $9,060,000. The Series 2014 Bond is secured by a pledge of and charge or lien on the net revenues of the Water and Sewerage System, as governed by the master bond resolution adopted on August 17, 2010. Interest is to be paid semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 of each year and principal is to be paid annually on June 1 of each year. 78 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Notes to Financial Statements - Continued June 30, 2023 Note 7 - Long-term and short-term obligations (Continued) Series 2020 On March 4, 2020, in connection with the refunding of the 2010 Water and Sewerage Refunding Revenue Bonds in the amount of $16,285,000 and the 2017 Water and Sewerage Refunding Revenue Bond in the amount of $39,945,000, the System issued Series 2020 Water and Sewerage Refunding Revenue Bonds in the aggregate principal amount of $46,690,000. The Series 2020 Bonds were issued for the purpose of refunding its Series 2010 Water and Sewerage Refunding Revenue Bonds maturing in 2021 through 2035, (ii) refunding its Series 2017 Water and Sewerage Refunding Revenue Bond maturing in 2021 through 2035, and (iii) paying the costs of issuing the Series 2020 Bonds. The Series 2020 Bonds are secured by a pledge of and charge or lien on the net revenues of the Water and Sewerage System, as governed by the master bond resolution adopted on August 17, 2010, and on a parity basis with the prior bonds. Interest is to be paid semi- annually on June 1 and December 1 of each year and principal is to be paid annually on June 1 of each year. D. Summary of Revenue Bonds outstanding A summary of revenue bond indebtedness as of June 30, 2023, is as follows: Water and Sewerage Refunding Revenue Bonds, Series 2014 $ 3,300,000 Water and Sewerage Refunding Revenue Bonds, Series 2020 Bond issuance premiums 36,250,000 8,193,166 Total Outstanding Revenue Debt $ 47,743,166 The bonds are payable solely from net revenues of the System through 2035. Pursuant to the master bond resolution, the County is to establish rates that will always provide net revenues in each bond year which shall not be less than 110% of the debt service requirement for such bond year, plus 100% of the amounts required to be deposited into the sinking fund accounts. Annual principal and interest payments on the bonds are expected to require less than 50% of the net revenues. The total principal and interest remaining to be paid on the bonds is $52,207,331. Principal and interest paid for the current year and net income available for debt service were $6,246,911 and $13,047,382, respectively. The annual principal and interest requirements for the County’s outstanding revenue debt as of June 30, 2023, are: June 30, Principal Interest Total Coupon Rate Water and Sewerage Refunding Revenue Bonds, Series 2014 2024 285,000 $ 84,402 $ 369,402 $ 2.53 2025 3,045,000 77,179 3,122,179 2.53 3,330,000 $ 161,581 $ 3,491,581 $ Water and Sewerage Refunding Revenue Bonds, Series 2020 2024 4,070,000 $ 1,812,500 $ 5,882,500 $ 5.00 2025 1,525,000 1,609,000 3,134,000 5.00 2026 2,440,000 1,532,750 3,972,750 5.00 2027 2,560,000 1,410,750 3,970,750 5.00 2028 2,685,000 1,282,750 3,967,750 5.00 2029-2033 12,160,000 4,260,000 16,420,000 5.00 2034-2035 10,810,000 558,000 11,368,000 5.00 36,250,000 $ 12,465,750 $ 48,715,750 $ 79 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Notes to Financial Statements - Continued June 30, 2023 Note 7 - Long-term and short-term obligations (Continued) E. Lease purchase agreements PNC Equipment Finance, LLC In August 2017, the County entered into a lease purchase agreement with PNC Equipment Finance, LLC for the purchase of a 2018 Pierce Impel Pumper for the Fire Services Division. The total cost of the equipment to be financed was $515,179 at a lease rate of 3.257%. The lease term was for ten years with principal and interest to be paid annually on August 10 of each year. The equipment is included as a capital asset in the government-wide statement of net position, and the expense resulting from amortization of the asset recorded under this lease purchase agreement is included with depreciation expense. During the fiscal year, the County repaid the outstanding principal balance of this lease. As a result, the lease is no longer a liability of the County at June 30, 2023. F. Right-to-use Leased Assets Governmental activities The County has entered into two building leases and two equipment leases with discount rates of 2.55% and annual payments ranging from $1,000 to $80,000 extending through 2028. The County recorded right-to-use leased assets of $1,031,238, which are included as capital assets in the government-wide statement of net position. The net book value of these leased assets as of June 30, 2023, was $43,149. Business-type activities The County has entered into a building lease with a discount rate of 2.55% extending through 2025. The County recorded a right-to- use leased asset of $66,173, which is included as a capital asset in the government-wide statement of net position and proprietary funds statement of net position. The net book value of this leased asset as of June 30, 2023, was $30,079. The annual principal and interest requirements for the County’s outstanding right-to-use leased assets as of June 30, 2023, are: June 30, Principal Interest Total 2024 86,498 $ 7,898 $ 94,396 $ 2025 89,116 5,640 94,756 2026 90,200 3,333 93,533 2027 83,355 1,060 84,415 2028 6,060 72 6,132 355,229 $ 18,003 $ 373,232 $ June 30, Principal Interest Total 2024 18,690 $ 556 $ 19,246 $ 2025 12,987 99 13,086 31,677 $ 655 $ 32,332 $ Governmental Activities Business-type Activities 80 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Notes to Financial Statements - Continued June 30, 2023 Note 7 - Long-term and short-term obligations (Continued) G. Subscription Assets The County has entered into SBITAs for finance, reporting, and learning software for a period of 1 to 5 years with a discount rate of 3.641%. The SBITAs have been recorded at the present value of the future contract payments as of the date of their inception or, for SBITAs existing prior to the implementation year, at the remaining terms of the agreement, using the facts and circumstances available at July 1, 2022. For the year ended June 30, 2023, the County had no other payments, such as termination penalties, not previously included in the measurement of the subscription liability, no commitments under SBITAs before the commencement of the subscription term, or any losses associated with an impairment. The annual requirements of principal and interest for the County’s outstanding subscription assets as of June 30, 2023, are: June 30, Principal Interest Total 2024 46,331 $ 443 $ 46,774 $ 46,331 $ 443 $ 46,774 $ June 30, Principal Interest Total 2024 27,651 $ 3 $ 27,654 $ 27,651 $ 3 $ 27,654 $ Governmental Activities Business-type Activities H. Refunding and Advance Refunding On May 8, 2014, the County issued a direct purchase Water and Sewerage Refunding Revenue Bond in the aggregate principal amount of $9,060,000, with an interest rate of 2.535%, to refund $8,910,000 of outstanding 2004 Water and Sewerage Revenue Bonds with interest rates ranging from 3.5% to 5.0%. The net proceeds of $8,942,547 (after payment of $117,453 of placement agent fees and other issuance costs) plus an additional $162,734 of the 2004 Series sinking fund monies were used to repay the 2004 Water and Sewerage Revenue Bonds. The current refunding resulted in a difference between the reacquisition price and the net carrying amount of the old debt of $186,738. This difference, reported in the accompanying financial statements as a deferred inflow, is being charged to operations through the year 2025 using the straight-line method, which is not significantly different from the effective-interest method. The County completed the refunding to reduce its total debt service payments over the next 11 years by approximately $1.2 million and to obtain an economic gain (difference between present values of the old and new debt service payments) of approximately $1.0 million. On October 6, 2016, the County issued a $14,400,000 direct purchase general obligation refunding bond, Series 2016A, with an interest rate of 1.81% to refund $14,155,000 of the outstanding series 2007A general obligation bonds with interest rates ranging from 4.0% - 4.25%. The net proceeds of $14,243,908 plus an additional $195,712 of the 2007A sinking fund monies were used to repay all of the outstanding 2007A Series bonds maturing in 2018 through 2024. As a result, the 2007A Series bonds are no longer a liability of the County. The current refunding resulted in a difference between the reacquisition price and the net carrying amount of the old debt of $28,025. This difference, reported in the accompanying government-wide financial statements as a deferred inflow, is being charged to operations through the year 2024 using the straight-line method, which is not significantly different from the effective-interest method. The County completed the refunding to reduce its total debt service payments over the next 7 years by approximately $1.2 million and to obtain an economic gain (difference between present values of the old and new debt service payments) of approximately $1.1 million. 81 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Notes to Financial Statements - Continued June 30, 2023 Note 7 - Long-term and short-term obligations (Continued) On March 4, 2020, the County issued Water and Sewerage Refunding Revenue Bonds in the aggregate principal amount of $46,690,000, with an interest rate of to refund a portion of outstanding 2010 Water and Sewerage Refunding Revenue Bonds in the amount of $16,285,000 with interest rates ranging from 4.0% to 5.0% and all of its outstanding 2017 Water and Sewerage Refunding Revenue Bond in the amount of $39,945,000 with an interest rate of 1.585%. The net proceeds of $57,224,069 (after payment of $643,927 of underwriting fees and other issuance costs) plus an additional $341,401 of sinking fund monies were used to repay the outstanding 2010 Series bonds and the outstanding 2017 Series bond maturing in 2021 through 2035. As a result, the Series 2010 bonds and the 2017 bond are no longer a liability of the System. The refunding resulted in a difference between the reacquisition price and the net carrying amount of the old debt of $412,399. This gain, combined with the previous unamortized loss of $2,143,330, is reported in the accompanying financial statements as a deferred outflow and is being charged to operations through the year 2035 using the straight-line method, which is not significantly different from the effective-interest method. The County completed the refunding to reduce its total debt service payments over the next 15 years by approximately $5.7 million and to obtain an economic gain (difference between present values of the old and new debt service payments) of approximately $4.9 million. On March 31, 2022, the County issued a $49,990,000 direct purchase general obligation taxable refunding bond, Series 2022, with an interest rate of 2.55%, to advance refund $38,325,000 of the outstanding series 2017 general obligation bonds, maturing from 2028 – 2037, with an interest rate of 5.0%. The net proceeds of $44,466,333 were used to purchase U.S. government securities, which were deposited in an irrevocable trust with an escrow agent to provide for all future debt service on the refunded 2017 series bonds. As a result, the portion of the 2017 series bonds that were refunded are considered defeased, and the County has removed the liability from its accounts. The advance refunding resulted in a difference between the reacquisition price and the net carrying amount of the old debt of $117,872. This difference, reported in the accompanying government-wide financial statements as a deferred inflow, is being charged to operations through the year 2037 using the straight-line method, which is not significantly different from the effective-interest method. The County completed the refunding to reduce its total debt service payments over the next 15 years by approximately $2.86 million and to obtain an economic gain (difference between present values of the old and new debt service payments) of approximately $2.44 million. 82 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Notes to Financial Statements - Continued June 30, 2023 Note 7 - Long-term and short-term obligations (Continued) I. Changes in long-term liabilities The following is a summary of long-term debt transactions for the year ended June 30, 2023. Internal service funds predominantly serve the governmental funds. Accordingly, long-term liabilities for them are included as part of the totals for governmental activities. At year end, $148,518 of internal service funds compensated absences is included in the following amounts. Also, for the governmental activities, compensated absences and the net OPEB liability are generally liquidated by the general fund. Beginning Balances Additions Reductions Ending Balances Current Portion Governmental activities: Bonds payable: General Obligation Bonds: Series 2015 $ 2,815,000 $ - $ (2,815,000) $ - $ - Series 2016A 4,425,000 - (2,180,000) 2,245,000 2,245,000 Series 2017 13,195,000 - (2,390,000) 10,805,000 2,505,000 Series 2022 44,990,000 - (840,000) 44,150,000 510,000 Bond issuance premiums 2,315,846 - (448,184) 1,867,662 - Total bonds payable 67,740,846 - (8,673,184) 59,067,662 5,260,000 Other liabilities: Net OPEB liability 6,075,293 124,965 - 6,200,258 - Lease purchase agreements 328,671 - (328,671) - - Lease liabilities 741,989 30,150 (416,910) 355,229 86,498 Subscription liabilities - 197,586 (151,255) 46,331 46,331 Compensated absences 8,908,227 5,011,222 (4,755,352) 9,164,097 4,582,049 Total other liabilities 16,054,180 5,363,923 (5,652,188) 15,765,915 4,714,878 $ 83,795,026 $ 5,363,923 $ (14,325,372) $ 74,833,577 $ 9,974,878 Business-type activities: Revenue debt: Water and Sewerage Refunding Bonds: Series 2014 $ 3,610,000 $ - $ (280,000) $ 3,330,000 $ 285,000 Series 2020 40,125,000 - (3,875,000) 36,250,000 4,070,000 Bond issuance premiums 8,895,437 - (702,271) 8,193,166 - Total revenue debt 52,630,437 - (4,857,271) 47,773,166 4,355,000 Other liabilities: Net OPEB liability 1,063,189 25,071 - 1,088,260 - Lease liabilities 49,346 - (17,669) 31,677 18,690 Subscription liabilities - 56,326 (28,675) 27,651 27,651 Compensated absences 1,576,050 986,739 (935,665) 1,627,124 813,562 Liability for landfill closure and 8,335,482 - (5,089,194) 3,246,288 135,262 Total other liabilities 11,024,067 1,068,136 (6,071,203) 6,021,000 995,165 $ 63,654,504 $ 1,068,136 $ (10,928,474) $ 53,794,166 $ 5,350,165 postclosure care costs Governmental activities long-term liabilities Business-type activities long-term liabilities 83 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Notes to Financial Statements - Continued June 30, 2023 Note 7 - Long-term and short-term obligations (Continued) J. Discretely presented component units Development Authority Taxable Revenue Bond, Series 2017 On December 28, 2017, the DACC issued a $5,300,000 direct purchase taxable revenue bond, Series 2017, with an interest rate of 3.62%. The Series 2017 Bond was issued to finance the acquisition of property for the development of an industrial park, with the intent to lease or sell portions of the property for the purposes of developing trade, commerce, industry and employment opportunities. Interest on the Series 2017 Bond is to be paid semi-annually on May 1 and November 1 of each year and principal is to be paid annually on November 1 of each year. The Series 2017 Bond is secured in accordance with provisions of an intergovernmental contract between the DACC and the County, whereas the County agrees to provide funds, subject to a one mill limitation, which shall be sufficient to pay the principal of and interest due on the Bond, if funds are not available from revenues received through the development and sale of the property. Because the County is currently providing funds for the debt service payments, an intergovernmental payable and receivable are recognized in the government-wide statement of net position. Development Authority Taxable Revenue Bond, Series 2020 On December 29, 2020, the DACC issued a $11,217,000 direct purchase taxable revenue bond, Series 2020, with an interest rate of 2.03%. The Series 2020 Bond was issued to finance the acquisition and improvement of property for the development of an industrial park for the purpose of promoting trade, commerce, industry and employment opportunities. Interest on the Series 2020 Bond is to be paid semi-annually on May 1 and November 1 of each year and principal is to be paid annually on November 1 of each year. The Series 2020 Bond is secured in accordance with provisions of an intergovernmental contract between the DACC and the County, whereas the County agrees to provide funds, subject to a one mill limitation, which shall be sufficient to pay the principal of and interest due on the Bond, in the event the DACC is unable to pay the debt service on the Bond. The annual principal and interest requirements for the DACCs outstanding debt as of June 30, 2023, are: DACC June 30, Principal Interest Total 2024 586,000 $ 103,496 $ 689,496 $ 2025 608,000 81,884 689,884 2026 630,000 59,477 689,477 2027 652,000 36,272 688,272 2028 676,000 12,236 688,236 3,152,000 $ 293,365 $ 3,445,365 $ June 30, Principal Interest Total 2024 885,000 $ 188,861 $ 1,073,861 $ 2025 902,000 170,723 1,072,723 2026 921,000 152,220 1,073,220 2027 940,000 133,330 1,073,330 2028 959,000 114,056 1,073,056 2029-2031 5,139,000 157,863 5,296,863 9,746,000 $ 917,053 $ 10,663,053 $ Taxable Revenue Bond, Series 2017 Taxable Revenue Bond, Series 2020 84 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Notes to Financial Statements - Continued June 30, 2023 Note 7 - Long-term and short-term obligations (Continued) Columbia County Convention & Visitors Bureau Loan Payable Due to the uncertainty of COVID-19 on the hospitality industry, the authorized the acceptance of an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) on July 1, 2020, through the Small Business Administration (SBA). The original loan amount of $150,000 was payable in equal installments of $641 at an interest rate of 2.75% for 30 years. Payments were deferred by SBA until July 2022. The received a loan under the Paycheck Protection Program established under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES” Act) and administered by the SBA. The applied for and was notified on March 23, 2022, that $28,113 in eligible expenditures for payroll and other expenses described in the CARES Act was forgiven. During the fiscal year, the repaid all of the outstanding loans. As a result, the loans are no longer a liability of the and have no outstanding principal as of June 30, 2023. The following is a summary of long-term debt transactions for the discretely presented component units for the year ended June 30, 2023: Beginning Balances Additions Reductions Ending Balances Current Portion DACC Taxable Revenue Bond, Series 2017 3,718,000 $ - $ (566,000) $ 3,152,000 $ 586,000 $ Taxable Revenue Bond, Series 2020 10,613,000 - (867,000) 9,746,000 885,000 DACC long-term liabilities 14,331,000 $ - $ (1,433,000) $ 12,898,000 $ 1,471,000 $ Board of Health Compensated absences 102,180 $ - $ (5,080) $ 97,100 $ 97,100 $ Net pension liability 717,038 1,403,308 - 2,120,346 - Net OPEB liability 72,243 48,740 - 120,983 - Board of Health long-term liabilities 891,461 $ 1,452,048 $ (5,080) $ 2,338,429 $ 97,100 $ Loan payable 151,091 $ - $ (151,091) $ - $ - $ long-term liabilities 151,091 $ - $ (151,091) $ - $ - $ Compensated absences 190,564 $ 126,661 $ (132,163) $ 185,062 $ 92,531 $ long-term liabilities 190,564 $ 126,661 $ (132,163) $ 185,062 $ 92,531 $ 85 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Notes to Financial Statements - Continued June 30, 2023 Note 8 – Unavailable/unearned revenues The balance of unavailable revenues and unearned revenues in the fund financial statements and unearned revenues in the government-wide financial statements at year-end are composed of the following elements: Unavailable Revenue Unearned Revenue Taxes receivable net of allowance, unavailable - General Fund $ 82,624 $ - Taxes receivable net of allowance, unavailable - Special Revenue Fund 45,702 - Grant proceeds due, unavailable - Special Revenue Funds 277,249 - Accounts receivable, unavailable - Special Revenue Fund 4,616 - Taxes receivable net of allowance, unavailable - Debt Service Fund 12,909 - Income received in advance of being earned - General Fund - 71,217 Grant proceeds received in advance of being earned - Special Revenue Fund - 23,895,473 Rental income received in advance of being earned - Special Revenue Fund - 15,750 Rental income received in advance of being earned - Enterprise Fund - 217,193 $ 423,100 $ 24,199,633 Note 9 - Landfill closure and postclosure care cost State and Federal laws and regulations require that the County place a final cover on its landfill when it stops accepting waste and to perform certain maintenance and monitoring functions at the site for thirty years after closure. Although closure and postclosure care costs will be paid only near or after the date the landfill stops accepting waste, the County is required to report a portion of these costs as operating expense in each period based on landfill capacity used as of each balance sheet date. After the initial calculation of the current closure and postclosure care costs, these costs are required to be adjusted annually for the effects of inflation or deflation, technology, or applicable laws or regulations. The County has two cells at the landfill, both of which are currently closed and no longer accepting waste. As of June 30, 2023, the County has a remaining 19 years of monitoring. Adequate funding is available to support closure and post-closure operations. The estimated liabilities for landfill closure and postclosure costs as of June 30, 2023, are as follows: Cell Usage Estimated Liability Unlined cell 100% 1,799,496 $ D Cell 100% 1,446,792 Total 3,246,288 $ 86 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Notes to Financial Statements - Continued June 30, 2023 Note 10 – Fund balance classifications The composition of the Special Programs Fund Balance classification in the fund financial statements is as follows : Special Programs, restricted: Nonmajor Governmental Funds Building inspections $ 939,503 Library 585,592 E911 1,862,229 Courts 1,519,624 Public safety 686,572 Tourism & events 1,674,198 Grants 535,417 Transportation/roads 7,865,803 Total restricted $ 15,668,938 Special Programs, committed: Recreation $ 200,304 Street lights districts 2,628,704 Public safety 93,393 Tourism & events 180,113 Total committed $ 3,102,514 Note 11 – Conduit debt obligations From time to time, the DACC has issued tax exempt industrial revenue bonds to provide financial assistance to private-sector entities for the acquisition and construction of industrial and commercial facilities deemed to be in the public interest. The bonds are secured by the property financed and are payable solely from payments received on the underlying mortgage loans. Upon repayment of the bonds, ownership of the acquired facilities transfers to the private sector entity served by the bond issuance. Neither the DACC, the County, the State, nor any political subdivision thereof is obligated in any manner for repayment of the bonds. Accordingly, the bonds are not reported as liabilities in the accompanying financial statements. As of June 30, 2023, there was one series of DACC tax exempt industrial revenue bonds outstanding, with an aggregate principal amount of $12,925,000. Note 12 - Risk management The County is exposed to various risks of loss related to torts; theft of, damage to and destruction of assets; errors and omissions; injuries to employees; losses resulting from providing accident and health benefits to employees, retirees, and their dependents; and natural disasters. Liabilities are reported when it is probable that a loss has occurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. An excess coverage insurance policy covers individual claims. Liabilities include an amount for claims that have been incurred but not reported (IBNR). Claim liabilities are calculated considering the effects of inflation, recent claim settlement trends including frequency and amount of pay-outs and other economic and social factors. The County established internal service funds for the employee group health program and property/general liability claims. Workers’ compensation claims are accounted for within the General Fund since payment is expected to be made within one year. The County made no reduction in its insurance coverage during the year ended June 30, 2023. During the past three years claims have not exceeded insurance coverage. The County believes that the insurance coverage is adequate. 87 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Notes to Financial Statements - Continued June 30, 2023 Note 12 - Risk management (Continued) The County provides a self-funded employee group health program in which a third party administrator is employed to process claims. Specific stop loss coverage in the amount of $250,000 per covered individual is maintained to reduce the exposure from catastrophic claims. IBNR claims are accounted for as accrued expenses in the Employee Medical Plan Internal Service Fund. Contributions are paid into the Employee Medical Fund by all other participating funds and are available to pay claims, claim reserves and administrative costs of the program. Management continues to monitor the performance of this fund to ensure that contributions charged to the funds and employees of the County are adequate. The County accounts for the employee flexible spending account within the Employee Medical Fund. The balance in accounts payable for this fund shown in the accompanying financial statements includes a flexible spending accounts payable of $20,158. The County has joined together with other municipalities in the state as a member of the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia Interlocal Risk Management Agency Property and Liability Insurance Fund (ACCG-IRMA) and the ACCG Group Self- Insurance Workers Compensation Fund (ACCG-GSIWCF), public entity risk pools currently operating as a common risk management and insurance program for member local governments. As part of these risk pools, the County is obligated to pay all contributions and assessments as prescribed by the pools, to cooperate with the pool’s agent and attorneys, to follow loss reduction procedures established by the funds, and to report as as possible, and in accordance with any coverage descriptions issued, all incidents which could result in the funds being required to pay any claim of loss. The County is also to allow the pool’s agents and attorneys to represent the County in investigation, settlement discussions and all levels of litigation arising out of any claim made against the County within the scope of loss protection furnished by the funds. The funds are to defend and protect the members of the funds against liability or loss as prescribed in the member government contract and in accordance with the worker’s compensation law of Georgia. The funds are to pay all costs taxed against members in any legal proceeding defended by the members, all interest accruing after entry of judgment, and all expenses incurred for investigation, negotiation or defense. As a participant in the ACCG-GSIWCF, which also provides claims administration and loss control services, the County has a $250,000 loss retention level on its workers’ compensation claims. Premiums are paid into the General Fund by all other participating funds and are available to pay claims, claim reserves and administrative costs of the program. These interfund premiums are used to reduce the amount of claims expenditure reported in the General Fund. During 1994, Columbia County entered into an agreement with the ACCG-IRMA to provide coverage for property, automobile, general liability, law enforcement liability, public officials’ liability, crime and boiler and machinery exposures. The County has a loss retention level of $100,000 per occurrence, which means that the County retains the first $100,000 (in the form of a deductible) on such claims. The County separately budgets funds for claims for which no governmental immunity exists, and other claims which the County deems appropriate for payment. Premiums are paid into the Risk Management Fund by all other participating funds and are available to pay claims, claim reserves and administrative costs of the program. IBNR claims have been accrued as claims liabilities based primarily upon the fund’s third party administrator’s claims projections and are included in current year claims estimates. Changes in the balances of claims payable in the respective funds during fiscal years 2023 and 2022 are as follows: General Employee Risk 2023 Fund Medical Management Total Unpaid claims, beginning 604,143 $ 1,500,000 $ 398,242 $ 2,502,385 $ Incurred claims 1,423,313 10,410,800 1,582,422 13,416,535 Claims paid (1,102,088) (10,410,800) (1,109,554) (12,622,442) Unpaid claims, ending 925,368 $ 1,500,000 $ 871,110 $ 3,296,478 $ 2022 Unpaid claims, beginning 1,168,676 $ 1,500,000 $ 577,811 $ 3,246,487 $ Incurred claims 288,797 11,254,607 856,907 12,400,311 Claims paid (853,330) (11,254,607) (1,036,476) (13,144,413) Unpaid claims, ending 604,143 $ 1,500,000 $ 398,242 $ 2,502,385 $ 88 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Notes to Financial Statements - Continued June 30, 2023 Note 13 - Pension plans Defined Contribution Plan The County and its qualified employees participate in the Columbia County Money Purchase Retirement Plan, a defined contribution pension plan, in accordance with Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. On November 21, 2006, the County adopted the administrative services agreement with the International City/County Management Association Retirement Corporation (ICMA-RC), the Plan Administrator. On February 20, 2007, the County executed the Declaration of Trust of the ICMA-RC Retirement Trust. The ICMA-RC, doing business as MissionSquare Retirement, is to act as the public plan sponsor for employees participating in the 401(a) retirement plan of the County with the responsibility to obtain investment alternatives and services for employees participating in the plan. Compensation as defined by the plan and trust document is all of each participant’s W-2 earnings which are actually paid to the employee (working at least 1,000 hours per year) during the plan year by Columbia County for services rendered to the Employer, plus any contributions made pursuant to a salary reduction agreement which are not includible in the gross income of the Participant under section 125, 132(f)(4), 402(e)(3), 402(h)(1)(B), 406(b), 414(h)(2) or 457(b) of the Internal Revenue Code. Plan provisions and contribution requirements are established and may be amended by the Board. The maximum contribution by the County to an employee’s retirement account is which consists of a base amount equal to 4% of the annual salary of an employee plus a matching contribution equal to one half of the amount an employee voluntarily contributes into the deferred compensation plan, up to a maximum of 4% of the employee’s annual salary. The vesting schedule for the employer portion of the contribution is as follows: Year 1 0% Year 2 25% Year 3 50% Year 4 75% Year 5 100% All regular employees who work more than 1,000 hours during the calendar year are eligible to participate by receiving contributions from the County into the plan. At June 30, 2023, 98.0% or 1,303 of the County’s 1,329 employees were eligible to receive employer contributions into the plan. The payroll for eligible employees amounted to $76,211,826 for the year ended June 30, 2023. During the year ended June 30, 2023, the County contributed $5,447,929 to the defined contribution plan, or approximately 7% of the covered payroll. The defined contribution plan assets at June 30, 2023, are as follows (reported at fair value for financial reporting purposes): Deferred Compensation Plan The County has adopted a deferred compensation plan, the Columbia County Deferred Compensation Plan, in accordance with Section 457 of the Internal Revenue Code. The plan allows any employee participant to defer gross compensation in an amount not to exceed $20,500 for calendar year 2023. Any employee participant who reaches age 50 before the end of the calendar year 2023 is eligible to contribute an additional amount not to exceed $6,000 per year. All administration costs of the plan are deducted from the participants’ accounts. Benefit payments are payable upon termination of employment, unforeseeable emergency, retirement or death. The Custodial Account Agreement requires the County set aside assets and income from the plan in trust for the exclusive benefit of the participants and their beneficiaries. The County is in compliance with the agreement. The County believes that it has no liability for losses under the plan but does have the duty of due care that would be required of an ordinary prudent investor. Investments are managed by the Plan Administrator, the International City/County Management Association Retirement Corporation (ICMA-RC). ICMA-RC, doing business as MissionSquare Retirement, provides at least 15 investment options covering a variety of Money Funds $ 15,882,997 Mutual Funds 65,598,055 Total assets $ 81,481,052 89 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Notes to Financial Statements - Continued June 30, 2023 Note 13 - Pension plans (Continued) asset classes ranging from aggressive growth equity mutual funds to bond mutual funds to stable value and money market funds. Employees can invest in one or all of the funds. At June 30, 2023, 96.8% or 1,286 of the County’s 1,329 employees were participants in the deferred compensation plan. The employees of the County contributed $5,447,929 to the deferred compensation plan during the year ended June 30, 2023. No other contributions are made into this plan. The County has amended its plan to comply with the requirements of subsection of Internal Revenue Code Section 457. All assets and income of the plan described in subsection are held in trust for the exclusive benefit of the participants and their beneficiaries. Defined Benefit Plans Certain employees, elected officials, and appointed officials are eligible for participation in various multiple employer cost-sharing defined benefit pension plans. The County does not make contributions to the plans, qualifying the plans as special funding situations under the requirements of GASB guidance. Management has determined the related impact on the financial statements to be immaterial. Further information may be obtained from the individual plans, as listed below: Sheriff’s Retirement Fund of Georgia Magistrates’ Retirement Fund of Georgia Georgia Firefighters’ Pension Fund Judges of the Probate Courts Retirement Fund of Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Retirement Fund of Georgia Georgia Judicial Retirement System Employees’ Retirement System of Georgia Discretely presented component units – Defined Benefit Plan – Columbia County Board of Health All full-time employees of the CCBOH are qualified for participation in the Employees’ Retirement System of Georgia For purposes of measuring the net pension liability, deferred outflows of resources and deferred inflows of resources related to pensions, and pension expense, information about the fiduciary net position of the ERS and additions to/deductions from ERS’ fiduciary net position have been determined on the same basis as they are reported by ERS. For this purpose, benefit payments (including refunds of employee contributions) are recognized when due and payable in accordance with the benefit terms. Investments are reported at fair value. Plan Description – ERS is a cost-sharing multiple-employer defined benefit pension plan established by the Georgia General Assembly during the 1949 Legislative Session for the purpose of providing retirement allowances for employees of the state of Georgia and its political subdivisions. ERS is directed by a Board of Trustees. Title 47 of the O.C.G.A. assigns the authority to establish and amend the benefit provisions to the State Legislature. ERS issues a publicly available financial report that can be obtained at www.ers.ga.gov/financials. Benefits Provided – The ERS Plan supports three benefit tiers: Old Plan, New Plan, and Georgia State Employees’ Pension and Savings Plan (“GSEPS”). Employees under the Old Plan started membership prior to July 1, 1982 and are subject to plan provisions in effect prior to July 1, 1982. Members hired on or after July 1, 1982 but prior to January 1, 2009 are New Plan members subject to modified plan provisions. Effective January 1, 2009, new state employees and rehired state employees who did not retain membership rights under the Old or New Plans are members of GSEPS. ERS members hired prior to January 1, 2009 also have the option to irrevocably change their membership to GSEPS. Under the Old Plan, the New Plan, and GSEPS, a member may retire and receive normal retirement benefits after completion of 10 years of creditable service and attainment of age 60 or 30 years of creditable service regardless of age. Additionally, there are some provisions allowing for early retirement after 25 years of creditable service for members under age 60. 90 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Notes to Financial Statements - Continued June 30, 2023 Note 13 - Pension plans (Continued) Retirement benefits paid to members are based upon the average of the member’s highest 24 consecutive calendar months, multiplied by the number of years of creditable service, multiplied by the applicable benefit factor. Annually, postretirement cost-of- living adjustments may also be made to members’ benefits, provided the members were hired prior to July 1, 2009. The normal retirement pension is payable for life; however, options are available for distribution of the member’s pension, at reduced rates, to a designated beneficiary upon the member’s death. Death and disability benefits are also available through ERS. Contributions: Member contributions under the Old Plan are 4% of annual compensation, up to $4,200, plus 6% of annual compensation in excess of $4,200. Under the Old Plan, the state pays member contributions in excess of 1.25% of annual compensation. Under the Old Plan, these state contributions are included in the members’ accounts for refund purposes and are used in the computation of the members’ earnable compensation for the purpose of computing retirement benefits. Member contributions under the New Plan and GSEPS are 1.25% of annual compensation. The CCBOH’s total required contribution rate for the year ended June 30, 2023 was 31.01% of annual covered payroll for Old and New Plan members and 27.47% for GSEPS members. The CCBOH’s contributions to ERS totaled $245,924 for the year ended June 30, 2023. Contributions are expected to finance the costs of benefits earned by employees during the year, with an additional amount to finance any unfunded accrued liability. Pension Liabilities, Pension Expense, and Deferred Outflows of Resources and Deferred Inflows of Resources Related to Pensions: At June 30, 2023, the CCBOH reported a liability for its proportionate share of the net pension liability. The net pension liability was measured as of June 30, 2022. The total pension liability used to calculate the net pension liability was based on an actuarial valuation as of June 30, 2021. An expected total pension liability as of June 30, 2022 was determined using standard roll-forward techniques. The CCBOH’s proportion of the net pension liability was based on contributions to ERS during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022. At June 30, 2022, the Employer’s proportion was 0.031749%, which was an increase of 0.001092% from its proportion measured as of June 30, 2021. For the year ended June 30, 2023, the CCBOH recognized a pension benefit of $272,316. At June 30, 2023, the CCBOH reported deferred outflows of resources and deferred inflows of resources related to pensions from the following sources: Deferred Deferred Outflows of Inflows of Resources Resources Net difference between projected and actual earnings on pension plan investments 246,362 $ - $ Differences between expected and actual experience 4,554 19,231 Changes of assumptions 376,912 - Changes in proportion and differences between Employer contributions and proportionate share of contributions 37,740 - Employer contributions subsequent to the measurement date 245,924 - Total 911,492 $ 19,231 $ CCBOH contributions subsequent to the measurement date of $245,924 are reported as deferred outflows of resources and will be recognized as a reduction of the net pension liability in the year ending June 30, 2024. Other amounts reported as deferred outflows of resources and deferred inflows of resources related to pensions will be recognized in pension expense as follows: Year ended June 30: 2024 354,240 $ 2025 96,489 2026 6,143 Thereafter - 646,337 $ 91 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Notes to Financial Statements - Continued June 30, 2023 Note 13 - Pension plans (Continued) Actuarial assumptions: The total pension liability as of June 30, 2022 was determined by an actuarial valuation as of June 30, 2021 using the following actuarial assumptions, applied to all periods included in the measurement: Inflation 2.50% Salary increases 3.00% to 6.75%, including inflation Investment rate of return 7.00%, net of pension plan investment expense, including inflation Mortality rates are as follows: • The Pub-2010 General Employee Table, with no adjustments, projected generationally with the MP-2019 scale is used for both males and females while in active service. • The Pub-2010 Family of Tables projected generationally with the MP-2019 Scale and with further adjustments are used for post-retirement mortality assumptions as follows: Participant Type Membership Table Set Forward / Setback Adjustment to Rates Service Retirees General Healthy Annuitant Male: Fermale: +1 Male: 105%; Female: 108% Disability Retirees General Disabled Male: Female: 0 Male: 103%; Female: 106% Beneficiaries General Contingent Survivors Male: Female: +2 Male: 106%; Female: 105% The actuarial assumptions used in the June 30, 2021 valuation were based on the results of an actuarial experience study for the period July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2019. The long-term expected rate of return on pension plan investments was determined using a log-normal distribution analysis in which best- estimate ranges of expected future real rates of return (expected nominal returns, net of pension plan investment expense and the assumed rate of inflation) are developed for each major asset class. These ranges are combined to produce the long-term expected rate of return by weighting the expected future real rates of return by the target asset allocation percentage and by adding expected inflation. The target allocation and best estimates of arithmetic real rates of return for each major asset class are summarized in the following table: Long-term Target expected real allocation rate of return* Fixed income 30.00% 0.20% Domestic large equities 46.30% 9.40% Domestic small equities 1.20% 13.40% International developed market equities 12.30% 9.40% International emerging market equities 5.20% 11.40% Alternatives 5.00% 10.50% Total 100.00% * Rates shown are net of inflation Asset class Discount rate: The discount rate used to measure the total pension liability was 7.00%. The projection of cash flows used to determine the discount rate assumed that plan member contributions will be made at the current contribution rate and that employer and state of Georgia contributions will be made at rates equal to the difference between actuarially determined contribution rates and the member rate. Based on those assumptions, the pension plan’s fiduciary net position was projected to be available to make all projected future benefit payments of current plan members. Therefore, the long-term expected rate of return on pension plan investments was applied to all periods of projected benefit payments to determine the total pension liability. 92 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Notes to Financial Statements - Continued June 30, 2023 Note 13 - Pension plans (Continued) Sensitivity of the CCBOH’s proportionate share of the net pension liability to changes in the discount rate: The following presents the CCBOH’s proportionate share of the net pension liability calculated using the discount rate of 7.00%, as well as what the CCBOH’s proportionate share of the net pension liability would be if it were calculated using a discount rate that is 1-percentage-point lower (6.00%) or 1-percentage-point higher (8.00%) than the current rate: 1% Current 1% Decrease discount rate Increase (6.00% ) (7.00% ) (8.00% ) Employer’s proportionate share of the net pension liability 2,822,573 $ 2,120,346 $ 1,529,827 $ Pension plan fiduciary net position: Detailed information about the pension plan’s fiduciary net position is available in the separately issued ERS financial report which is publically available at www.ers.ga.gov/financials. Note 14 – Post employment benefits other than pensions During the year ended June 30, 2017, the County adopted GASB Statement No. 75, Accounting and Financial Reporting for Postemployment Benefits Other than Pensions, which establishes standards for recognizing and measuring liabilities, deferred outflows of resources, deferred inflows of resources, and expenses/expenditures for other postemployment benefits (OPEB) that are provided to the employees of state and local governmental employers. Plan Description House Bill No. 1820, Act No. 830 passed during the April 7, 2004, legislative session of the Georgia General Assembly and approved by the Governor of Georgia on May 17, 2004, provides continuation of health insurance to certain retired elected officials of the County and may only be amended by the Georgia General Assembly and Governor of Georgia. Resolution No. 05-455R was approved, and may be amended by, the Board to further offer continuation of health insurance to all eligible retirees and their spouses. As a result, the Columbia County Postretirement Benefit Program, a single-employer defined benefit OPEB plan, was established. The Columbia County Employee Medical Plan Trust Agreement, which was established and may be amended by the Board, sets forth the benefit provisions of the plan. There are no substantive commitments for benefits other than as stated in the plan. The plan states that these retirees shall be entitled after separation from County employment to continue to participate in and be covered by the health insurance plan of the County with the same benefits as those offered to active employees (medical, dental, and prescription drug), provided that such retiree must have served at least 15 years of employment and pay 100% of the premium associated with such participation. The County currently contracts with United Healthcare to administer the post-employment health care benefits. The plan does not issue a separate stand-alone report and is not included in the report of another entity. The following schedule reflects employees covered by the benefit terms as of June 30, 2023. Inactive employees or beneficiaries currently receiving benefit payments 64 Inactive employees entitled to but not yet receiving benefit payments 0 Active employees 1,159 1,223 Funding Policy The County provides a self-funded employee group health program in which a third party administrator is employed to process claims. Specific stop loss coverage in the amount of $250,000 per covered individual is maintained to reduce the exposure from catastrophic claims. For active employees, the premium is shared by the employer and employee. Retired employees must contribute 100% of the total premium (both employee and employer portions). For fiscal year 2023, the County contributed $10.9 million, or 80% of total premiums, and plan members contributed $2.8 million, or 20% of total premiums, to the employee group health program. The required contribution rates of plan members range from $73-$389, depending on the selected plan. When retiree benefits paid from the plan are in excess of retiree contributions into the plan, the County is deemed to have made contributions to the plan on behalf of retirees and/or beneficiaries. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, retiree claims paid were in excess of retiree contributions. Therefore, the County contributed $45,157 on behalf of retirees and/or beneficiaries to the OPEB Health Care Plan during the fiscal year. The County established and may amend the funding policy for the OPEB Health Care Plan. 93 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Notes to Financial Statements - Continued June 30, 2023 Note 14 – Post employment benefits other than pensions (Continued) Net OPEB Liability The County’s net OPEB liability was measured as of June 30, 2023, (the “measurement date”) and the total OPEB liability used to calculate the net OPEB liability was determined by an actuarial valuation as of July 1, 2022 (the “valuation date”). No significant changes in the plan or those covered by the plan occurred between the actuarial valuation and measurement dates. Discount rate. The discount rate as of the actuarial valuation date was 3.54%. The discount rate used to roll forward the total OPEB liability as of the actuarial valuation date to the measurement date was 3.65%. These rates reflect the yield on Bond Buyer 20-Bond GO Index at June 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively. Actuarial assumptions. Actuarial valuations involve estimates of the value of reported amounts and assumptions about the probability of events far into the future, and actuarially determined amounts are subject to continued revision as results are compared to past expectations and new estimates are made about the future. The assumptions used in the June 30, 2023, actuarial valuation are as follows: Cost Method Entry Age Normal Method Payroll Inflation Rate 4.0% per year Medical Cost Trend Rate 6.5% decreasing by per year to an ultimate rate of 5.0% Dental Cost Trend Rate 5.5% decreasing by per year to an ultimate rate of 4.0% Marital Status 80% of retirees are married Plan participation 80% of future eligible retirees under age 65 elect coverage. 30% of retirees elect spousal coverage. 95% of all retirees and spouses cease coverage at age 65. Mortality rates were based on the RPH-2006 Mortality Table with MP-2021 scale, with separate rates for males and females, for the beginning of the fiscal year and RPH-2006 with MP-2022 for the end of the fiscal year. OPEB plan fiduciary net position. The County has elected not to establish a separate trust fund to account for OPEB. Therefore, no assets are accumulated in a GASB-compliant trust and the plan fiduciary net position as of June 30, 2023, was Changes in the Net OPEB Liability Total OPEB Liability Plan Fiduciary Net Position Net OPEB Liability Beginning balances $ 7,138,482 $ - $ 7,138,482 Changes for the year: Service cost 633,937 - 633,937 Interest 253,214 - 253,214 Change of assumptions (119,337) - (119,337) Differences between expected and actual experience (572,621) - (572,621) Benefit payments (45,157) - (45,157) Net changes 150,036 - 150,036 Ending balances $ 7,288,518 $ - $ 7,288,518 94 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Notes to Financial Statements - Continued June 30, 2023 Note 14 – Post employment benefits other than pensions (Continued) Sensitivity of the net OPEB liability to changes in the discount rate. The following presents the net OPEB liability of the County using the discount rate of 3.65% as well as what the County’s net OPEB liability would be if it were calculated using a discount rate that is 1- percentage-point lower (2.65%) or 1-percentage-point higher (4.65%) than the current discount rate: 1% Current 1% Decrease discount rate Increase (2.65% ) (3.65% ) (4.65% ) Net OPEB liability 7,963,427 $ 7,288,518 $ 6,678,323 $ Sensitivity of the net OPEB liability to changes in the healthcare cost trend rates. The following presents the net OPEB liability of the County as well as what the County’s net OPEB liability would be if it were calculated using healthcare cost trend rates that are 1- percentage-point lower (5.5% decreasing to 4.0%) or 1-percentage-point higher (7.5% decreasing to 6.0%) than the current healthcare cost trend rates: 1% Healthcare Cost 1% Decrease Trend Rates Increase (5.5% decreasing to 4.0% ) (6.5% decreasing to 5.0% ) (7.5% decreasing to 6.0% ) Net OPEB liability 3,428,235 $ 7,288,518 $ 12,298,399 $ OPEB Expense and Deferred Outflows of Resources and Deferred Inflows of Resources For the year ended June 30, 2023, the County recognized OPEB expense of $555,944. At June 30, 2023, the County reported deferred outflows of resources and deferred inflows of resources related to OPEB from the following sources: Deferred Outflows of Resources Deferred Inflows of Resources Changes of assumptions $ 731,742 $ (1,733,001) Differences between expected and actual experience - (3,270,647) Total $ 731,742 $ (5,003,648) Amounts reported as deferred outflows of resources and deferred inflows of resources will be recognized in OPEB expense as follows: Year ended June 30: 2024 (286,051) $ 2025 (286,051) 2026 (286,051) 2027 (286,051) 2028 (286,051) Thereafter (2,841,651) (4,271,906) $ 95 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Notes to Financial Statements - Continued June 30, 2023 Note 14 – Post employment benefits other than pensions (Continued) Discretely presented component units – Columbia County Board of Health The CCBOH provides benefits to its retired and vested inactive employees in the form of term life insurance through participation in the State Employees’ Assurance Department Retired and Vested Inactive Members Trust Fund (“SEAD-OPEB”) plan. The CCBOH also provides healthcare benefits for retirees and their dependents through participation in the Georgia State Employees’ Postemployment Benefit Fund (“State OPEB Fund”). SEAD-OPEB SEAD-OPEB was created in 2007 by the Georgia General Assembly to amend Title 47 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to retirement, so as to establish a fund for the provision of term life insurance to retired and vested inactive members of the Employees’ Retirement System of Georgia the Legislative Retirement System and the Georgia Judicial Retirement System (“GJRS”). The plan is a cost-sharing multiple-employer defined benefit other postemployment benefit plan as defined in GASB Statement No. 74, Financial Reporting for Postemployment Benefit Plans other than OPEB Plans. The SEAD- OPEB trust fund accumulates the premiums received from the aforementioned retirement plans, including interest earned on deposits and investments of such payments. At June 30, 2023, the CCBOH reported an asset of $164,547 for its proportionate share of the net OPEB asset. State OPEB Fund Employees of State organizations as defined in § 45-18-25 of the O.C.G.A. are provided OPEB through the State OPEB Fund - a cost- sharing, multiple-employer defined benefit postemployment healthcare plan, reported as an employee trust fund and administered by a Board of Community Health. Title 45 of the O.C.G.A. assigns the authority to establish and amend the benefit terms of the group health plan to the CCBOH. At June 30, 2023, the CCBOH reported a liability of $120,983 for its proportionate share of the net OPEB liability. Further details on the CCBOH’s OPEB plans can be obtained from its separately issued financial report. Note 15 - Construction commitments The County has active construction projects as of June 30, 2023. The projects include construction of water facilities, County technology improvements, office expansions, road improvements, and recreation improvements. At year end the County’s commitments with contractors are as follows: Remaining Project Spent-to-Date Commitment Water and Sewer Construction $ 14,875,061 $ 2,677,746 County Facilities 9,399,211 3,213,191 Recreation Improvements 4,979,323 3,483,079 Road Improvement Construction 55,995,730 61,372,599 Public Safety 837,043 118,437 Total $ 86,086,368 $ 70,865,052 96 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Notes to Financial Statements - Continued June 30, 2023 Note 16 - Lodging tax The County has levied a 5% lodging tax pursuant to Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) 48-13-51. The County entered into a contract with the to be the principal provider of convention and tourist promotion services as of January 1, 2006. Prior to that date, the County contracted with the Augusta Metropolitan CVB for convention and tourist promotion services. The receipts and disbursements of the 5% lodging tax are accounted for in a nonmajor special revenue fund, the Lodging Tax Fund, within the primary government. A summary of the transactions for the year ended June 30, 2023, follows: Lodging tax receipts 2,123,211 $ Total revenues and other financing sources 2,123,211 $ Paid to 849,867 $ Other 635,146 Total expenditures and other financing uses 1,485,013 $ Note 17 - Joint venture Under Georgia law, the County, in conjunction with other cities and counties in the Central Savannah River Area, is a member of the Central Savannah River Area Regional Commission (CSRA RC) and is required to pay annual dues thereto. During its year ended June 30, 2023, the County paid $160,088 in such dues. Membership in the CSRA RC is required by the O.C.G.A. Section 50-8-34 which provides for the organizational structure of the CSRA RC in Georgia. The CSRA RC Board membership includes the chief elected official of each county and municipality of the area. O.C.G.A. 50-8-39.1 provides that the member governments are liable for any debts or obligations of the CSRA RC. Separate financial statements may be obtained from: CSRA Regional Commission 3626 Walton Way Ext., Suite 300 Augusta, Georgia 30909 Note 18 - Significant contingencies Federal and State assisted programs The County has received proceeds from several federal and state grants. Periodic audits of these grants are required and certain costs may be questioned as not being appropriate expenditures under the grant agreements. Such audits could result in the refund of grant monies to the grantor agencies. Management believes that any required refunds will be immaterial. No provision has been made in the accompanying financial statements for the refund of grant monies. Claims and judgments The County is a defendant in various lawsuits. In the opinion of the County’s management and the County attorney, the ultimate effect of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the County. Arbitrage The County’s bond issues are subject to federal arbitrage regulations, and the County has elected to review its potential arbitrage liability annually on the bond issue dates. The arbitrage rebate payments are payable on the fifth anniversary of the bond issue date and every fifth year subsequent to that date. Although the actual amount to be paid is not presently determinable, the County believes that arbitrage payables are not significant. 97 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Notes to Financial Statements - Continued June 30, 2023 Note 19 – Tax Abatements During the year ended June 30, 2017, the County implemented SGAS. No. 77, Tax Abatement Disclosures. This statement requires disclosure regarding tax abatements resulting from both agreements that are entered into by the reporting government and agreements that are entered into by other governments and that reduce the reporting government’s tax revenues. The DACC can enter into agreements for economic development projects to encourage the creation of jobs and new capital investment through a Columbia County Leasehold Valuation process established in collaboration with the Columbia County Board of Assessors. Each agreement provides a property tax benefit to the company through a schedule of discounted valuation that reduces, for ad valorem tax purposes, the fair market value of real and personal property that is held by the DACC and leased to the company. Georgia case law and the DACC’s enabling legislation provide the DACC with the power to enter into such agreements with private companies. The DACC may accept title to real and personal property assets from a company in return for job creation and capital investment, and provide a tax benefit to the company through a lease agreement with the DACC. In considering eligibility for providing this benefit to a company, the DACC reviews and gives strong consideration to the economic impact of the project and the threshold of the capital investment and job creation/retention. The DACC Board reviews each project application to determine qualification of the project. Some of the criteria considered include: 1. Eligible businesses can include new and existing industrial businesses. 2. But for an incentive agreement, the company would not create the jobs and investment in the community. 3. The overall capital investment of the project. 4. The number of jobs created and the average wage paid. 5. The impacts to job retention will be considered for each expansion project. 6. As a condition of assistance, a business will be required to work with the DACC to convey title to the DACC. In return for a property tax benefit, a company is required to commit to creating jobs and capital investment within a defined period as part of the bond resolution package with the DACC that includes provisions for the company to pay back a prorated portion of the benefit if they fail to meet the performance criteria by a specified date. The DACC monitors compliance with performance and accountability agreements to ensure the companies meet their commitments. For the County’s fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, the cumulative property tax not collected by the County due to incentive agreements was $892,652, and $1,081,427 was paid to the County through incentive agreements for the same period. Such agreements in affect for the County resulted in an estimated $311 million in new capital investment and more than 3,400 new jobs. Note 20 – Subsequent Events On February 21, 2023, the County created the Hospital Authority of Columbia County (HACC) in accordance with the Hospital Authorities Law to facilitate the financing of a hospital in the County. Subsequent to June 30, 2023, the HACC issued its Revenue Anticipation Certificates, Series 2023 A and Series 2023 B, in the approximate amounts of $279.205 million and $57.405 million, respectively. The Certificates are limited obligations of the HACC payable solely out of the Trust Estate established under the Trust Indenture. The Series B certificates are supported by an intergovernmental agreement between the CCHA and the County. 98 ---PAGE BREAK--- 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 Total OPEB Liability Service cost $ 633,937 $ 773,095 $ 761,693 $ 603,610 $ 580,780 $ 575,877 $ 760,922 Interest 253,214 171,412 173,420 237,994 246,886 241,510 186,474 Differences between expected and actual experience (572,621) (714,989) (754,814) (546,166) (794,649) (663,163) - Changes of assumptions (119,337) (992,718) (152,257) 840,703 101,667 (356,120) (577,842) Benefit payments (45,157) (16,537) 6,602 (43,315) 9,096 (42,021) 13,351 Net change in Total OPEB Liability 150,036 (779,737) 34,644 1,092,826 143,780 (243,917) 382,905 Total OPEB Liability - beginning 7,138,482 7,918,219 7,883,575 6,790,749 6,646,969 6,890,886 6,507,981 Total OPEB Liability - ending $ 7,288,518 $ 7,138,482 $ 7,918,219 $ 7,883,575 $ 6,790,749 $ 6,646,969 $ 6,890,886 Covered-employee payroll $ 60,306,795 $ 56,102,408 $ 55,765,033 $ 49,628,916 $ 49,408,211 $ 47,516,257 $ 49,237,013 12.09% 12.72% 14.20% 15.89% 13.74% 13.99% 14.00% Notes to Schedule: The plan is not administered through a trust and, therefore, has no assets accumulated to pay related benefits. For other actuarial assumptions, refer to Note 14 of the financial statements. Columbia County, Georgia Required Supplementary Information Schedule of Changes in Net OPEB Liability and Related Ratios For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30 OPEB Health Care Plan Total OPEB Liability as a percentage of covered-employee payroll Schedule is intended to show information for the last 10 fiscal years. Additional years will be displayed as they become available. Changes of assumptions. In 2017, the discount rate as of the beginning of the fiscal year was 2.85% The discount rate at the end of the fiscal year was 3.58%. In 2018, the discount rate as of the beginning of the fiscal year was 3.58%. The discount rate at the end of the fiscal year was 3.87%. In 2019, the discount rate as of the beginning of the fiscal year was 3.87%. The discount rate at the end of the fiscal year was 3.50%. In 2020, the discount rate as of the beginning of the fiscal year was 3.50%. The discount rate at the end of the fiscal year was 2.21%. In 2021, the discount rate as of the beginning of the fiscal year was 2.21%. The discount rate at the end of the fiscal year was 2.16%. In 2022, the discount rate as of the beginning of the fiscal year was 2.16%. The discount rate at the end of the fiscal year was 3.54%. In 2023, the discount rate as of the beginning of the fiscal year is 3.54%. The discount rate at the end of the fiscal year is 3.65%. These rates reflect the yield on Bond Buyer 20- Bond GO Index, at June 30, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 respectively. Expected vs Actual Experience. The actuarial valuation was prepared using census data collected as of the current valuation date. The effect of new census data will be analyzed each year. Any gains and losses are amortized on a straight line basis over the average service lives of the covered group. 99 ---PAGE BREAK--- 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 Board’s proportion of the net pension liability 0.031749% 0.030657% 0.028543% 0.032794% 0.029434% 0.028669% 0.029063% 0.027818% 0.025983% Board’s proportionate share of the net pension liability 2,120,346 $ 717,038 $ 1,203,075 $ 1,353,255 $ 1,210,041 $ 1,164,344 $ 1,374,802 $ 1,127,018 $ 974,523 $ Board’s covered payroll 789,413 $ 759,217 $ 760,692 $ 863,982 $ 776,656 $ 722,468 $ 696,911 $ 644,780 $ 595,212 $ 268.60% 94.44% 158.16% 156.63% 155.80% 161.16% 197.27% 174.79% 163.73% Plan fiduciary net position as a percentage of the total pension liability 67.44% 87.62% 76.21% 76.74% 76.68% 76.33% 72.34% 76.20% 77.99% Board’s proportionate share of the net pension liability as a percentage of its covered payroll Note: Schedule is intended to show information for the last 10 fiscal years. Additional years will be displayed as they become available. Columbia County, Georgia Required Supplementary Information Schedule of Proportionate Share of the Net Pension Liability Employees’ Retirement System - Board of Health For the Year Ended June 30 (Dollar amounts in thousands) 100 ---PAGE BREAK--- 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 Contractually required contribution 245,924 $ 184,307 $ 176,437 $ 177,296 $ 206,626 $ 188,236 $ 176,315 $ 168,897 $ 139,668 $ 108,002 $ Contributions in relation to the contractually required contribution 245,924 184,307 176,437 177,296 206,626 188,236 176,315 168,897 139,668 108,002 Contribution deficiency (excess) - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ Board’s covered payroll 835,978 $ 789,413 $ 759,217 $ 760,692 $ 863,982 $ 776,656 $ 722,468 $ 696,911 $ 644,780 $ 595,212 $ Contributions as a percentage of covered payroll 29.42% 23.35% 23.24% 23.31% 23.92% 24.24% 24.40% 24.24% 21.66% 18.15% Columbia County, GA ERS Employer Agency Required Supplementary Information Schedule of Contributions Employees’ Retirement System - Board of Health For the Year Ended June 30 101 ---PAGE BREAK--- On December 17, 2020, the Board adopted recommended changes to the economic and demographic assumptions utilized by the System based on the experience study prepared for the five-year period ended June 30, 2019. Primary among the changes were the updates to rates of mortality, retirement, withdrawal, and salary increases. This also included a change to the long-term assumed investment rate of return to 7.00%. These assumption changes are reflected in the calculation of the June 30, 2021 Total Pension Liability. On April 21, 2022, the Board adopted a new funding policy which, in part, provides that the Actuarial Accrued Liability and Normal Cost of the System will include a prefunded variable COLA for eligible retirees and beneficiaries of the System. Under the new policy, future COLAs are provided through a profit-sharing mechanism using the System’s asset performance. After studying the parameters of this new policy, the assumption for future COLAs was set at 1.05%. Previously, no future COLAs were assumed. In addition, the funding policy set the assumed rate of return at 7.20% for the June 30, 2021 valuation and established a new Transitional Unfunded Actuarial Accrued Liability as of June 30, 2021 which will be amortized over a closed 20-year period. Changes of Assumptions – On December 17, 2015, the Board adopted recommended changes to the economic and demographic assumptions utilized by the Employees’ Retirement System (“System”), Primary among the changes were the updates to rates of mortality, retirement, disability, withdrawal, and salary increases. The expectation of retired life mortality was changed to the RP 2000 Combined Mortality Table projected to 2025 with projection scale of BB (set forward two years for both males and females). A new funding policy was initially adopted by the Board on March 15, 2018, and most recently amended on June 18, 2020. Because of this new funding policy, the assumed investment rate of return was reduced from 7.50% to 7.40% for the June 30, 2017 actuarial valuation and further reduced from 7.40% to 7.30% for the June 30, 2018 actuarial valuation. Columbia County, GA Notes to Required Supplementary Information Employees’ Retirement System - Board of Health June 30, 2023 102 ---PAGE BREAK--- COMBINING AND INDIVIDUAL FUND STATEMENTS 103 ---PAGE BREAK--- GENERAL FUND 104 ---PAGE BREAK--- Final Actual Variance with Budget Amount Final Budget REVENUES Taxes - property Property tax $ 37,251,985 $ 36,872,910 $ (379,075) Motor vehicle tax 279,795 338,406 58,611 Mobile home tax 55,422 61,120 5,698 Interest and penalties 100,000 283,282 183,282 Motor vehicle penalties and commissions 250,000 453,412 203,412 Timber tax 16,267 6,470 (9,797) Motor vehicle ad valorem tax 10,107,548 11,435,089 1,327,541 Real estate transfer tax 300,000 338,100 38,100 Recording intangibles 850,000 757,535 (92,465) Cablevision 1,700,000 1,496,382 (203,618) Other 10,000 13,990 3,990 50,921,017 52,056,696 1,135,679 Taxes - sales Sales tax 25,200,000 29,755,131 4,555,131 Taxes - other Occupation tax 1,000,000 1,217,442 217,442 Excise tax on energy 100,000 123,025 23,025 Alcohol tax 1,600,000 1,918,278 318,278 Interest and penalties 5,000 7,262 2,262 2,705,000 3,266,007 561,007 Licenses and permits Alcohol licenses 450,000 482,995 32,995 450,000 482,995 32,995 Charges for services Commissions 2,000,000 3,092,246 1,092,246 Courts 1,250,000 1,263,554 13,554 Parks and recreation 936,000 1,087,756 151,756 Development 214,000 151,115 (62,885) Other 250,000 299,041 49,041 4,650,000 5,893,712 1,243,712 Intergovernmental General administration 2,013,615 2,043,003 29,388 Courts 100,000 148,087 48,087 Emergency services 37,216 33,495 (3,721) Roads and Bridges 200,000 267,559 67,559 Environmental Services 100,000 121,820 21,820 Public transit 249,656 302,272 52,616 2,700,487 2,916,236 215,749 Columbia County, Georgia General Fund by Object Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balance - Budget and Actual For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 105 ---PAGE BREAK--- Final Actual Variance with Budget Amount Final Budget REVENUES (Continued) Fines and forfeitures Courts 1,433,000 1,483,640 50,640 Public safety 100,000 108,943 8,943 Other 15,500 27,358 11,858 1,548,500 1,619,941 71,441 Investment income (loss) Interest/Change in market value 300,000 352,811 52,811 Other Rental 846,396 935,855 89,459 Other 22,741,000 485,428 (22,255,572) 23,587,396 1,421,283 (22,166,113) Total revenues 112,062,400 97,764,812 (14,297,588) EXPENDITURES General government Board of Commissioners Personal service 348,574 368,362 (19,788) Operating 4,658,308 4,463,844 194,464 5,006,882 4,832,206 174,676 Finance Personal service 1,000,209 918,241 81,968 Operating 249,947 316,739 (66,792) 1,250,156 1,234,980 15,176 Human Resources Personal service 567,359 557,324 10,035 Operating 370,994 298,305 72,689 938,353 855,629 82,724 Procurement Personal service 580,390 575,098 5,292 Operating 79,684 72,354 7,330 Capital Improvements 30,150 30,150 - 690,224 677,602 12,622 Information Technology Personal service 2,492,472 2,240,914 251,558 Operating 2,695,463 2,619,795 75,668 Capital improvements 563,039 144,367 418,672 5,750,974 5,005,076 745,898 Changes in Fund Balance - Budget and Actual For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 Columbia County, Georgia General Fund by Object - Continued Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures and 106 ---PAGE BREAK--- Final Actual Variance with Budget Amount Final Budget EXPENDITURES (Continued) General government (Continued) County Manager Personal service 996,760 1,003,013 (6,253) Operating 268,343 195,500 72,843 1,265,103 1,198,513 66,590 Tax Commissioner Personal service 2,231,668 2,209,472 22,196 Operating 406,407 367,760 38,647 Capital improvements 10,000 - 10,000 2,648,075 2,577,232 70,843 Tax Assessor Personal service 2,072,649 1,994,386 78,263 Operating 309,643 335,231 (25,588) Capital improvements 105,500 - 105,500 2,487,792 2,329,617 158,175 Board of Elections Personal service 485,301 499,120 (13,819) Operating 528,754 514,932 13,822 1,014,055 1,014,052 3 Total general government 21,051,614 19,724,907 1,326,707 Judicial system Clerk of Superior Court Personal service 1,780,488 1,660,342 120,146 Operating 516,770 383,182 133,588 2,297,258 2,043,524 253,734 Superior Court Personal service 852,231 852,164 67 Operating 222,182 212,316 9,866 Capital improvements 3,800 - 3,800 1,078,213 1,064,480 13,733 Probate Court Personal service 834,179 815,248 18,931 Operating 206,151 163,933 42,218 1,040,330 979,181 61,149 Juvenile Court Personal service 907,203 905,142 2,061 Operating 336,817 324,734 12,083 1,244,020 1,229,876 14,144 General Fund by Object - Continued Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balance - Budget and Actual For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 Columbia County, Georgia 107 ---PAGE BREAK--- Final Actual Variance with Budget Amount Final Budget EXPENDITURES (Continued) Judicial system (Continued) Magistrate Court Personal service 1,055,420 1,056,684 (1,264) Operating 132,197 130,928 1,269 1,187,617 1,187,612 5 District Attorney Personal service 644,596 600,172 44,424 Operating 199,633 97,252 102,381 Capital improvements 21,600 - 21,600 865,829 697,424 168,405 Public Defender Operating 651,964 539,591 112,373 Total judicial system 8,365,231 7,741,688 623,543 Public safety Sheriff Personal service 16,923,145 15,374,414 1,548,731 Operating 2,630,976 3,039,263 (408,287) Capital improvements 394,084 102,746 291,338 19,948,205 18,516,423 1,431,782 Emergency Services Personal service 285,284 286,336 (1,052) Operating 178,008 152,120 25,888 Capital improvements 28,000 16,796 11,204 491,292 455,252 36,040 Detention Center Personal service 9,773,802 9,541,573 232,229 Operating 3,399,209 3,641,979 (242,770) Capital improvements 30,150 19,608 10,542 13,203,161 13,203,160 1 Emergency Medical Service Operating 850,000 782,500 67,500 Animal Services Personal service 863,365 861,669 1,696 Operating 158,094 143,402 14,692 Capital improvements 23,492 - 23,492 1,044,951 1,005,071 39,880 Coroner Personal service 248,699 247,139 1,560 Operating 40,497 42,056 (1,559) 289,196 289,195 1 Total public safety 35,826,805 34,251,601 1,575,204 For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 Columbia County, Georgia General Fund by Object - Continued Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balance - Budget and Actual 108 ---PAGE BREAK--- Final Actual Variance with Budget Amount Final Budget EXPENDITURES (Continued) Public works Roads and Bridges Personal service 2,137,535 1,922,909 214,626 Operating 604,001 696,595 (92,594) 2,741,536 2,619,504 122,032 Fleet Services Personal service 1,516,275 1,531,289 (15,014) Operating 324,870 316,117 8,753 Capital improvements 52,000 45,738 6,262 1,893,145 1,893,144 1 Facility Maintenance Personal service 1,672,729 1,590,328 82,401 Operating 344,811 351,895 (7,084) 2,017,540 1,942,223 75,317 Special Projects Personal service 124,968 122,910 2,058 Operating 40,533 57,588 (17,055) Capital improvements 15,000 - 15,000 180,501 180,498 3 Total public works 6,832,722 6,635,369 197,353 Health and welfare Public Health Operating 434,614 434,614 - Family and Children Services Operating 72,884 54,663 18,221 Public Transit Personal service 661,483 665,019 (3,536) Operating 143,006 127,518 15,488 Capital improvements 6,459 6,458 1 810,948 798,995 11,953 Total health and welfare 1,318,446 1,288,272 30,174 Culture and recreation Parks & Recreation Personal service 2,421,772 2,424,509 (2,737) Operating 1,685,731 1,713,717 (27,986) Capital improvements 74,000 43,230 30,770 4,181,503 4,181,456 47 Changes in Fund Balance - Budget and Actual For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 Columbia County, Georgia General Fund by Object - Continued Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures and 109 ---PAGE BREAK--- Final Actual Variance with Budget Amount Final Budget EXPENDITURES (Continued) Culture and recreation (Continued) Libraries Operating 2,500,450 2,500,449 1 Community Services Personal service 718,853 700,263 18,590 Operating 172,630 191,606 (18,976) Capital improvements 60,000 59,590 410 951,483 951,459 24 Total culture and recreation 7,633,436 7,633,364 72 Housing and development Extension Service Personal service - 23,701 (23,701) Operating 289,627 181,255 108,372 289,627 204,956 84,671 Forestry Operating 22,100 12,808 9,292 Environmental Services Personal service 287,066 276,407 10,659 Operating 51,334 25,402 25,932 338,400 301,809 36,591 Planning Personal service 719,461 691,437 28,024 Operating 217,682 134,080 83,602 937,143 825,517 111,626 Inspections Personal service 232,860 236,151 (3,291) Operating 62,087 33,211 28,876 294,947 269,362 25,585 Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balance - Budget and Actual For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 Columbia County, Georgia General Fund by Object - Continued 110 ---PAGE BREAK--- Final Actual Variance with Budget Amount Final Budget EXPENDITURES (Continued) Housing and development (Continued) Plan Review Personal service 298,798 301,973 (3,175) Operating 29,372 21,106 8,266 Capital improvements 2,000 2,000 330,170 323,079 7,091 Code Compliance Personal service 619,851 605,120 14,731 Operating 121,680 92,776 28,904 741,531 697,896 43,635 Economic Development Personal service 334,722 402,503 (67,781) Operating 1,028,603 960,822 67,781 1,363,325 1,363,325 - Total housing and development 4,317,243 3,998,752 318,491 Debt service Principal - 81,270 (81,270) Interest - 9,290 (9,290) Total debt service - 90,560 (90,560) Total expenditures 85,345,497 81,364,513 3,980,984 Excess (deficiency) of revenues over (under) expenditures 26,716,903 16,400,299 (10,316,604) OTHER FINANCING SOURCES (USES) Sale of property - 1,232 1,232 Leases issued 30,150 30,150 - Transfers in 200,000 1,894,210 1,694,210 Transfers out (26,947,053) (27,039,714) (92,661) Total other financing sources (uses) (26,716,903) (25,114,122) 1,602,781 Net change in fund balance $ - (8,713,823) $ (8,713,823) Fund balance - beginning 60,574,477 Fund balance - ending $ 51,860,654 NOTE: Expenditures for capital outlay are included within the appropriate function in the preceding schedule. Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balance - Budget and Actual For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 Columbia County, Georgia General Fund by Object - Concluded 111 ---PAGE BREAK--- NONMAJOR GOVERNMENTAL FUNDS 112 ---PAGE BREAK--- Special Revenue Funds Capital Projects Funds Debt Service Funds Total Nonmajor Governmental Funds ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 7,100,183 $ 15,778,609 $ 49,710 $ 22,928,502 Investments 420,451 - - 420,451 Taxes receivable - - 22,162 22,162 Accounts receivable 139,709 - - 139,709 Intergovernmental receivable 1,006,069 2,930,737 - 3,936,806 Due from other funds 10,755,802 - - 10,755,802 Prepaid items 15,108 976 - 16,084 Total assets $ 19,437,322 $ 18,710,322 $ 71,872 $ 38,219,516 LIABILITIES, DEFERRED INFLOWS OF RESOURCES, AND FUND BALANCES Liabilities: Accounts payable $ 417,330 $ 564,714 $ - $ 982,044 Accrued payroll 318,250 17,203 - 335,453 Unearned revenue 15,750 - - 15,750 Due to other funds 323,241 9,421 550 333,212 Due to other governments - 331,405 - 331,405 Total liabilities 1,074,571 922,743 550 1,997,864 Deferred inflows of resources: Unavailable revenue 172,904 - 12,909 185,813 Total deferred inflows of resources 172,904 - 12,909 185,813 Total liabilities and deferred inflows of resources 1,247,475 922,743 13,459 2,183,677 Fund balances (deficits): Nonspendable for prepaid items 15,108 976 - 16,084 Restricted for: Special programs 15,240,022 - - 15,240,022 Capital projects - 17,786,603 - 17,786,603 Debt service - - 58,413 58,413 Committed to special programs 3,102,514 - - 3,102,514 Unassigned (167,797) - - (167,797) Total fund balances (deficits) 18,189,847 17,787,579 58,413 36,035,839 Total liabilities, deferred inflows of resources, and fund balances (deficits) $ 19,437,322 $ 18,710,322 $ 71,872 $ 38,219,516 Columbia County, Georgia Combining Balance Sheet Nonmajor Governmental Funds Summary by Fund Type June 30, 2023 113 ---PAGE BREAK--- Special Revenue Funds Capital Projects Funds Debt Service Funds Total Nonmajor Governmental Funds REVENUES Taxes - property $ - $ - $ 5,140,622 $ 5,140,622 Taxes - sales 3,655,412 16,798,142 - 20,453,554 Taxes - other 12,653,643 - - 12,653,643 Licenses and permits 1,846,696 - - 1,846,696 Charges for services 6,010,682 - - 6,010,682 Intergovernmental revenue 685,191 - - 685,191 Fines and forfeitures 891,193 - - 891,193 Investment income 325,593 93,367 154,171 573,131 Contributions and donations 170,199 80,000 - 250,199 Other income 138,739 - - 138,739 Total revenues 26,377,348 16,971,509 5,294,793 48,643,650 EXPENDITURES Current: General government 108,031 - - 108,031 Judicial 555,388 - - 555,388 Public safety 3,953,771 - - 3,953,771 Public works 11,295,782 - - 11,295,782 Culture and recreation 2,544,415 - - 2,544,415 Housing and development 2,702,935 - - 2,702,935 Intergovernmental - 1,899,518 - 1,899,518 Capital outlay - 7,362,415 - 7,362,415 Debt service: Principal 14,581 - 8,225,000 8,239,581 Interest 592 - 2,228,091 2,228,683 Other - - 2,700 2,700 Total expenditures 21,175,495 9,261,933 10,455,791 40,893,219 Excess (deficiency) of revenues over (under) expenditures 5,201,853 7,709,576 (5,160,998) 7,750,431 OTHER FINANCING SOURCES (USES) Leases and SBITAs issued 18,271 - - 18,271 Transfers in 15,581 - 4,492,752 4,508,333 Transfers out (416,265) - (4,173,744) (4,590,009) Total other financing source (uses) (382,413) - 319,008 (63,405) Net change in fund balances 4,819,440 7,709,576 (4,841,990) 7,687,026 Fund balances - beginning 13,370,407 10,078,003 4,900,403 28,348,813 Fund balances - ending $ 18,189,847 $ 17,787,579 $ 58,413 $ 36,035,839 Columbia County, Georgia Combining Statement of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances Nonmajor Governmental Funds Summary by Fund Type For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 114 ---PAGE BREAK--- BUILDING STANDARDS FUND LIBRARY BOARD RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD STREET LIGHTS FUND 911 FUND ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,050 $ 295,545 $ 207,224 $ 360 $ 1,793,235 Investments - 292,363 - - - Accounts receivable - - 123 6,305 50 Intergovernmental receivable - - - - 288,934 Due from other funds 999,048 7,879 - 2,626,889 - Prepaid items 2,151 - - - 2,409 Total assets $ 1,003,249 $ 595,787 $ 207,347 $ 2,633,554 $ 2,084,628 LIABILITIES, DEFERRED INFLOWS OF RESOURCES, AND FUND BALANCES Liabilities: Accounts payable $ 2,188 $ 10,195 $ 5,370 $ 234 $ 134,040 Accrued payroll 59,407 - - - 63,932 Unearned revenue - - - - - Due to other funds - - 1,673 - 22,018 Total liabilities 61,595 10,195 7,043 234 219,990 Deferred inflows of resources: Unavailable revenue - - - 4,616 - Total deferred inflow of resources - - - 4,616 - Total liabilities and deferred inflows of resources 61,595 10,195 7,043 4,850 219,990 Fund balances (deficits): Nonspendable for prepaid items 2,151 - - - 2,409 Restricted for special programs 939,503 585,592 - - 1,862,229 Committed to special programs - - 200,304 2,628,704 - Unassigned - - - - - Total fund balances (deficits) 941,654 585,592 200,304 2,628,704 1,864,638 Total liabilities, deferred inflows of resources, and fund balances (deficits) $ 1,003,249 $ 595,787 $ 207,347 $ 2,633,554 $ 2,084,628 Columbia County, Georgia Combining Balance Sheet Nonmajor Special Revenue Funds June 30, 2023 115 ---PAGE BREAK--- OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUND DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT SUPPLEMENTAL JUVENILE SERV JAIL FUND ACCOUNTABILITY COURT ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ - $ 467,378 $ 240,899 $ 525,748 $ 155 Investments - - - - - Accounts receivable - - - - - Intergovernmental receivable - 1,639 - - 53,814 Due from other funds 372,236 - - - - Prepaid items - - - - 34 Total assets $ 372,236 $ 469,017 $ 240,899 $ 525,748 $ 54,003 LIABILITIES, DEFERRED INFLOWS OF RESOURCES, AND FUND BALANCES Liabilities: Accounts payable $ - $ - $ 765 $ - $ 18,188 Accrued payroll - - - - 5,128 Unearned revenue - - - - - Due to other funds - - - - 45,884 Total liabilities - - 765 - 69,200 Deferred inflows of resources: Unavailable revenue - - - - - Total deferred inflow of resources - - - - - Total liabilities and deferred inflows of resources - - 765 - 69,200 Fund balances (deficits): Nonspendable for prepaid items - - - - 34 Restricted for special programs 372,236 469,017 240,134 525,748 - Committed to special programs - - - - - Unassigned - - - - (15,231) Total fund balances (deficits) 372,236 469,017 240,134 525,748 (15,197) Total liabilities, deferred inflows of resources, and fund balances (deficits) $ 372,236 $ 469,017 $ 240,899 $ 525,748 $ 54,003 Columbia County, Georgia Combining Balance Sheet Nonmajor Special Revenue Funds June 30, 2023 (continued) 116 ---PAGE BREAK--- DA ASSET FORFEITURES DA VICTIMS ASSISTANCE DA WELFARE FRAUD FEDERAL ASSET SHARING FUND STATE CONDEMNATION FUND ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 11,276 $ 166,192 $ 1,486 $ 69,102 $ 91,722 Investments - - - - - Accounts receivable - - - - - Intergovernmental receivable - 14,592 - - - Due from other funds - - - - - Prepaid items - - - - - Total assets $ 11,276 $ 180,784 $ 1,486 $ 69,102 $ 91,722 LIABILITIES, DEFERRED INFLOWS OF RESOURCES, AND FUND BALANCES Liabilities: Accounts payable $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - Accrued payroll - - - - - Unearned revenue - - - - - Due to other funds - 3,645 - - - Total liabilities - 3,645 - - - Deferred inflows of resources: Unavailable revenue - - - - - Total deferred inflow of resources - - - - - Total liabilities and deferred inflows of resources - 3,645 - - - Fund balances (deficits): Nonspendable for prepaid items - - - - - Restricted for special programs 11,276 177,139 1,486 69,102 91,722 Committed to special programs - - - - - Unassigned - - - - - Total fund balances (deficits) 11,276 177,139 1,486 69,102 91,722 Total liabilities, deferred inflows of resources, and fund balances (deficits) $ 11,276 $ 180,784 $ 1,486 $ 69,102 $ 91,722 Columbia County, Georgia Combining Balance Sheet Nonmajor Special Revenue Funds June 30, 2023 (continued) 117 ---PAGE BREAK--- LODGING TAX FUND MULTIPLE GRANT FUND 2020 GENERATOR GRANT FUND SHERIFF'S GIFTS/DONATIONS INSURANCE PREMIUM TAX ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ - $ - $ - $ 93,393 $ - Investments - - - - - Accounts receivable 126,681 - - - - Intergovernmental receivable - 89,983 250,021 - - Due from other funds 1,642,822 69,663 - - 2,948,983 Prepaid items 183 - - - 6,979 Total assets $ 1,769,686 $ 159,646 $ 250,021 $ 93,393 $ 2,955,962 LIABILITIES, DEFERRED INFLOWS OF RESOURCES, AND FUND BALANCES Liabilities: Accounts payable $ 77,467 $ 35,286 $ - $ - $ 127,768 Accrued payroll 17,838 2,137 - - 113,692 Unearned revenue - - - - - Due to other funds - - 250,021 - - Total liabilities 95,305 37,423 250,021 - 241,460 Deferred inflows of resources: Unavailable revenue - 15,722 152,566 - - Total deferred inflow of resources - 15,722 152,566 - - Total liabilities and deferred inflows of resources 95,305 53,145 402,587 - 241,460 Fund balances (deficits): Nonspendable for prepaid items 183 - - - 6,979 Restricted for special programs 1,674,198 106,501 - - 2,707,523 Committed to special programs - - - 93,393 - Unassigned - - (152,566) - - Total fund balances (deficits) 1,674,381 106,501 (152,566) 93,393 2,714,502 Total liabilities, deferred inflows of resources, and fund balances (deficits) $ 1,769,686 $ 159,646 $ 250,021 $ 93,393 $ 2,955,962 Columbia County, Georgia Combining Balance Sheet Nonmajor Special Revenue Funds June 30, 2023 (continued) 118 ---PAGE BREAK--- COMMUNITY EVENTS FUND MEMORIAL WALL FUND GA SUP CT CK'S COOP AUTH LAW LIBRARY FUND TSPLOST 25% DISCRETIONARY FUND Total Nonmajor Special Revenue Funds ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents 95,965 $ - $ 32,284 $ 87,964 $ 2,918,205 $ $ 7,100,183 Investments - - - 128,088 - 420,451 Accounts receivable 6,550 - - - - 139,709 Intergovernmental receivable - - - - 307,086 1,006,069 Due from other funds 89,150 7,730 - - 1,991,402 10,755,802 Prepaid items - - - - 3,352 15,108 Total assets $ 191,665 $ 7,730 $ 32,284 $ 216,052 $ 5,220,045 $ 19,437,322 LIABILITIES, DEFERRED INFLOWS OF RESOURCES, AND FUND BALANCES Liabilities: Accounts payable $ 3,532 $ - $ - $ - $ 2,297 $ 417,330 Accrued payroll - - - - 56,116 318,250 Unearned revenue 15,750 - - - - 15,750 Due to other funds - - - - - 323,241 Total liabilities 19,282 - - - 58,413 1,074,571 Deferred inflows of resources: Unavailable revenue - - - - - 172,904 Total deferred inflow of resources - - - - - 172,904 Total liabilities and deferred inflows of resources 19,282 - - - 58,413 1,247,475 Fund balances (deficits): Nonspendable for prepaid items - - - - 3,352 15,108 Restricted for special programs - - 32,284 216,052 5,158,280 15,240,022 Committed to special programs 172,383 7,730 - - - 3,102,514 Unassigned - - - - - (167,797) Total fund balances (deficits) 172,383 7,730 32,284 216,052 5,161,632 18,189,847 Total liabilities, deferred inflows of resources, and fund balances (deficits) $ 191,665 $ 7,730 $ 32,284 $ 216,052 $ 5,220,045 $ 19,437,322 Columbia County, Georgia Combining Balance Sheet Nonmajor Special Revenue Funds June 30, 2023 (concluded) 119 ---PAGE BREAK--- BUILDING STANDARDS FUND LIBRARY BOARD RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD STREET LIGHTS FUND 911 FUND REVENUES Taxes - sales $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - Taxes - other - - - - 2,015 Licenses and permits 1,846,696 - - - - Charges for services 85,141 - 144,914 2,188,840 3,376,992 Intergovernmental revenue - - - - - Fines and forfeitures - 72,266 - - - Investment income - 27,356 2,889 - 25,231 Contributions and donations - - - 29,940 - Other income 200 7,156 40,189 1,428 - Total revenues 1,932,037 106,778 187,992 2,220,208 3,404,238 EXPENDITURES Current: General government - - - - - Judicial - - - - - Public safety - - - - 3,785,777 Public works - - - 2,080,564 Culture and recreation - 41,834 167,733 - - Housing and development 2,702,935 - - - - Debt service: - - - - - Principal 9,005 - - - Interest 168 - - - Total expenditures 2,712,108 41,834 167,733 2,080,564 3,785,777 Excess (deficiency) of revenues over (under) expenditures (780,071) 64,944 20,259 139,644 (381,539) OTHER FINANCING SOURCES (USES) Leases and SBITAs issued 18,271 - - - - Transfers in - - - - - Transfers out - - - - - Total other financing source (uses) 18,271 - - - - Net change in fund balances (761,800) 64,944 20,259 139,644 (381,539) Fund balances - beginning 1,703,454 520,648 180,045 2,489,060 2,246,177 Fund balances - ending $ 941,654 $ 585,592 $ 200,304 $ 2,628,704 $ 1,864,638 For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 Nonmajor Special Revenue Funds Combining Statement of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances Columbia County, Georgia 120 ---PAGE BREAK--- OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUND DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT SUPPLEMENTAL JUVENILE SERV JAIL FUND ACCOUNTABILITY COURT REVENUES Taxes - sales $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - Taxes - other - - - - - Licenses and permits - - - - - Charges for services - - 30,020 - 35,663 Intergovernmental revenue - - - - 266,114 Fines and forfeitures 372,236 84,793 - 146,363 - Investment income - 6,506 3,243 6,435 - Contributions and donations - - - - - Other income - - - - - Total revenues 372,236 91,299 33,263 152,798 301,777 EXPENDITURES Current: General government - - - - - Judicial - - 12,694 - 301,084 Public safety - - - - - Public works - - - - - Culture and recreation - - - - - Housing and development - - - - - Debt service: - - - - - Principal - - - - - Interest - - - - - Total expenditures - - 12,694 - 301,084 Excess (deficiency) of revenues over (under) expenditures 372,236 91,299 20,569 152,798 693 OTHER FINANCING SOURCES (USES) Leases and SBITAs issued - - - - - Transfers in - - - - - Transfers out - (50,000) - (150,000) - Total other financing source (uses) - (50,000) - (150,000) - Net change in fund balances 372,236 41,299 20,569 2,798 693 Fund balances - beginning - 427,718 219,565 522,950 (15,890) Fund balances - ending $ 372,236 $ 469,017 $ 240,134 $ 525,748 $ (15,197) Columbia County, Georgia Combining Statement of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances Nonmajor Special Revenue Funds For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 (continued) 121 ---PAGE BREAK--- DA ASSET FORFEITURES DA VICTIMS ASSISTANCE DA WELFARE FRAUD FEDERAL ASSET SHARING FUND STATE CONDEMNATION FUND REVENUES Taxes - sales $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - Taxes - other - - - - - Licenses and permits - - - - - Charges for services - - - - - Intergovernmental revenue - - - - - Fines and forfeitures 4,296 98,744 10 48,491 34,425 Investment income 137 1,793 19 972 2,013 Contributions and donations Other income - - - - - Total revenues 4,433 100,537 29 49,463 36,438 EXPENDITURES Current: General government - - - - - Judicial - 4,974 - - - Public safety - - - - 96,361 Public works - - - - - Culture and recreation - - - - - Housing and development - - - - - Debt service: Principal - - - - - Interest - - - - - Total expenditures - 4,974 - - 96,361 Excess (deficiency) of revenues over (under) expenditures 4,433 95,563 29 49,463 (59,923) OTHER FINANCING SOURCES (USES) Leases and SBITAs issued - - - - - Transfers in - - - - - Transfers out - - - - - Total other financing source (uses) - - - - - Net change in fund balances 4,433 95,563 29 49,463 (59,923) Fund balances - beginning 6,843 81,576 1,457 19,639 151,645 Fund balances - ending $ 11,276 $ 177,139 $ 1,486 $ 69,102 $ 91,722 Columbia County, Georgia Combining Statement of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances Nonmajor Special Revenue Funds For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 (continued) 122 ---PAGE BREAK--- LODGING TAX FUND MULTIPLE GRANT FUND 2020 GENERATOR GRANT FUND SHERIFF'S GIFTS/DONATIONS INSURANCE PREMIUM TAX REVENUES Taxes - sales $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - Taxes - other 2,123,211 - - - 10,528,417 Licenses and permits - - - - - Charges for services - - - - - Intergovernmental revenue - 321,622 97,455 - - Fines and forfeitures - - - - - Investment income - - - 1,316 - Contributions and donations - - - 31,042 - Other income - - - - - Total revenues 2,123,211 321,622 97,455 32,358 10,528,417 EXPENDITURES Current: General government - 4,471 103,560 - - Judicial - 189,241 - - - Public safety - 45,917 - 25,716 - Public works - - - - 7,156,504 Culture and recreation 1,479,013 4,545 - - 557,324 Housing and development - - - - - Debt service: Principal 5,576 - - - - Interest 424 - - - - Total expenditures 1,485,013 244,174 103,560 25,716 7,713,828 Excess (deficiency) of revenues over (under) expenditures 638,198 77,448 (6,105) 6,642 2,814,589 OTHER FINANCING SOURCES (USES) Leases and SBITAs issued - - - - - Transfers in - 47 15,534 - - Transfers out - - - - - Total other financing source (uses) - 47 15,534 - - Net change in fund balances 638,198 77,495 9,429 6,642 2,814,589 Fund balances - beginning 1,036,183 29,006 (161,995) 86,751 (100,087) Fund balances - ending $ 1,674,381 $ 106,501 $ (152,566) $ 93,393 $ 2,714,502 Columbia County, Georgia Combining Statement of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances Nonmajor Special Revenue Funds For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 (continued) 123 ---PAGE BREAK--- COMMUNITY EVENTS FUND MEMORIAL WALL FUND GA SUP CT CK'S COOP AUTH LAW LIBRARY FUND TSPLOST 25% DISCRETIONARY FUND Total Nonmajor Special Revenue Funds REVENUES Taxes - sales $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 3,655,412 $ 3,655,412 Taxes - other - - - - - 12,653,643 Licenses and permits - - - - - 1,846,696 Charges for services 149,112 - - - - 6,010,682 Intergovernmental revenue - - - - - 685,191 Fines and forfeitures - - - 29,569 - 891,193 Investment income 1,402 - 16 175 246,090 325,593 Contributions and donations 109,217 - - - - 170,199 Other income 89,766 - - - - 138,739 Total revenues 349,497 - 16 29,744 3,901,502 26,377,348 EXPENDITURES Current: General government - - - - - 108,031 Judicial - - - 47,395 - 555,388 Public safety - - - - - 3,953,771 Public works - - - - 2,058,714 11,295,782 Culture and recreation 293,966 - - - - 2,544,415 Housing and development - - - - - 2,702,935 Debt service: Principal - - - - - 14,581 Interest - - - - - 592 Total expenditures 293,966 - - 47,395 2,058,714 21,175,495 Excess (deficiency) of revenues over (under) expenditures 55,531 - 16 (17,651) 1,842,788 5,201,853 OTHER FINANCING SOURCES (USES) Leases and SBITAs issued - - - - - 18,271 Transfers in - - - - - 15,581 Transfers out - - - - (216,265) (416,265) Total other financing source (uses) - - - - (216,265) (382,413) Net change in fund balances 55,531 - 16 (17,651) 1,626,523 4,819,440 Fund balances - beginning 116,852 7,730 32,268 233,703 3,535,109 13,370,407 Fund balances - ending $ 172,383 $ 7,730 $ 32,284 $ 216,052 $ 5,161,632 $ 18,189,847 Columbia County, Georgia Combining Statement of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances Nonmajor Special Revenue Funds For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 (concluded) 124 ---PAGE BREAK--- 2009 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLAN FUND 2017 GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND 2023-2028 SPLOST Total Nonmajor Capital Projects Funds ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,723,945 $ 1,691,374 $ 12,363,290 $ 15,778,609 Intergovernmental receivable - - 2,930,737 2,930,737 Prepaid items - 976 - 976 Total assets $ 1,723,945 $ 1,692,350 $ 15,294,027 $ 18,710,322 LIABILITIES AND FUND BALANCES Liabilities: Accounts payable $ 171,931 $ 392,783 $ - $ 564,714 Accrued payroll - 17,203 - 17,203 Due to other funds - 9,421 - 9,421 Due to other governments - - 331,405 331,405 Total liabilities 171,931 419,407 331,405 922,743 Fund balances (deficits): Nonspendable for prepaid items - 976 - 976 Restricted for capital projects 1,552,014 1,271,967 14,962,622 17,786,603 Total fund balances (deficits) 1,552,014 1,272,943 14,962,622 17,787,579 Total liabilities and fund balances (deficits) $ 1,723,945 $ 1,692,350 $ 15,294,027 $ 18,710,322 Columbia County, Georgia Combining Balance Sheet Nonmajor Capital Projects Funds June 30, 2023 125 ---PAGE BREAK--- 2009 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLAN FUND 2017 GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND 2023-2028 SPLOST Total Nonmajor Capital Projects Funds REVENUES Taxes - sales $ - $ - $ 16,798,142 $ 16,798,142 Investment income 20,444 1,653 71,270 93,367 Contributions and donations - 80,000 - 80,000 Total revenues 20,444 81,653 16,869,412 16,971,509 EXPENDITURES Current: Intergovernmental - - 1,899,518 1,899,518 Capital outlay 4,354,338 3,000,805 7,272 7,362,415 Total expenditures 4,354,338 3,000,805 1,906,790 9,261,933 Excess (deficiency) of revenues over (under) expenditures (4,333,894) (2,919,152) 14,962,622 7,709,576 Net change in fund balances (4,333,894) (2,919,152) 14,962,622 7,709,576 Fund balances - beginning 5,885,908 4,192,095 - 10,078,003 Fund balances - ending $ 1,552,014 $ 1,272,943 $ 14,962,622 $ 17,787,579 Columbia County, Georgia Combining Statement of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances Nonmajor Capital Projects Funds For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 126 ---PAGE BREAK--- DEBT SERVICE FUND- 2015 GO BOND DEBT SERVICE FUND- 2016 GO BOND DEBT SERVICE FUND- 2017 GO BOND DEBT SERVICE FUND- 2022 GO BOND Total Nonmajor Debt Service Funds ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ - $ - $ 49,710 $ - $ 49,710 Taxes receivable - - 22,162 - 22,162 Total assets $ - $ - $ 71,872 $ - $ 71,872 LIABILITIES, DEFERRED INFLOWS OF RESOURCES, AND FUND BALANCES Liabilities: Due to other funds $ - $ - $ 550 $ - $ 550 Total liabilities - - 550 - 550 Deferred inflows of resources: Unavailable revenue - - 12,909 - 12,909 Total deferred inflow of resources - - 12,909 - 12,909 Total liabilities and deferred inflows of resources - - 13,459 - 13,459 Fund balances (deficits): Restricted for debt service - - 58,413 - 58,413 Total fund balances (deficits) - - 58,413 - 58,413 Total liabilities, deferred inflows of resources, and fund balances (deficits) $ - $ - $ 71,872 $ - $ 71,872 Columbia County, Georgia Combining Balance Sheet Nonmajor Debt Service Funds June 30, 2023 127 ---PAGE BREAK--- DEBT SERVICE FUND- 2015 GO BOND DEBT SERVICE FUND- 2016 GO BOND DEBT SERVICE FUND- 2017 GO BOND DEBT SERVICE FUND- 2022 GO BOND Total Nonmajor Debt Service Funds REVENUES Taxes - property $ - $ - $ 5,140,622 $ - $ 5,140,622 Investment income 81,857 367 71,947 - 154,171 Total revenues 81,857 367 5,212,569 - 5,294,793 EXPENDITURES Debt service: Principal 2,815,000 2,180,000 2,390,000 840,000 8,225,000 Interest 140,750 60,808 600,000 1,426,533 2,228,091 Other 550 - 1,600 550 2,700 Total expenditures 2,956,300 2,240,808 2,991,600 2,267,083 10,455,791 Excess (deficiency) of revenues over (under) expenditures (2,874,443) (2,240,441) 2,220,969 (2,267,083) (5,160,998) OTHER FINANCING SOURCES (USES) Transfers in - 2,240,435 - 2,252,317 4,492,752 Transfers out (227,217) - (3,946,527) - (4,173,744) Total other financing source (uses) (227,217) 2,240,435 (3,946,527) 2,252,317 319,008 Net change in fund balances (3,101,660) (1,725,558) (14,766) (4,841,990) Fund balances - beginning 3,101,660 6 1,783,971 14,766 4,900,403 Fund balances - ending $ - $ - $ 58,413 $ - $ 58,413 Columbia County, Georgia Combining Statement of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances Nonmajor Debt Service Funds For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 128 ---PAGE BREAK--- Variance with Original Final Actual Final Budget REVENUES Licenses and permits $ 2,056,749 $ 2,056,749 $ 1,846,696 $ (210,053) Charges for services 98,959 98,959 85,141 (13,818) Other income 656,065 656,065 200 (655,865) Total revenues 2,811,773 2,811,773 1,932,037 (879,736) EXPENDITURES Current: Housing and development 2,811,773 2,811,773 2,702,935 108,838 Debt service: Principal - - 9,005 (9,005) Interest - - 168 (168) Total expenditures 2,811,773 2,811,773 2,712,108 99,665 Excess (deficiency) of revenues over (under) expenditures - - (780,071) (780,071) OTHER FINANCING SOURCES (USES) Leases and SBITAs issued - - 18,271 18,271 Total other financing source (uses) - - 18,271 18,271 Net change in fund balances $ - $ - (761,800) $ (761,800) Fund balances - beginning 1,703,454 Fund balances - ending $ 941,654 Budgeted Amounts Columbia County, Georgia BUILDING STANDARDS FUND Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances – Budget and Actual For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 129 ---PAGE BREAK--- Variance with Original Final Actual Final Budget REVENUES Fines and forfeitures $ 70,000 $ 70,000 $ 72,266 $ 2,266 Investment income - - 27,356 27,356 Other income 5,000 5,000 7,156 2,156 Total revenues 75,000 75,000 106,778 31,778 EXPENDITURES Current: Culture and recreation 75,000 75,000 41,834 33,166 Total expenditures 75,000 75,000 41,834 33,166 Excess (deficiency) of revenues over (under) expenditures - - 64,944 64,944 Net change in fund balances $ - $ - 64,944 $ 64,944 Fund balances - beginning 520,648 Fund balances - ending $ 585,592 Budgeted Amounts Columbia County, Georgia LIBRARY BOARD Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances – Budget and Actual For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 130 ---PAGE BREAK--- Variance with Original Final Actual Final Budget REVENUES Charges for services $ 89,000 $ 167,750 $ 144,914 $ (22,836) Investment income - - 2,889 2,889 Other income - 40,189 40,189 Total revenues 89,000 167,750 187,992 20,242 EXPENDITURES Current: Culture and recreation 89,000 167,750 167,733 17 Total expenditures 89,000 167,750 167,733 17 Excess (deficiency) of revenues over (under) expenditures - - 20,259 20,259 Net change in fund balances $ - $ - 20,259 $ 20,259 Fund balances - beginning 180,045 Fund balances - ending $ 200,304 Budgeted Amounts Columbia County, Georgia RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances – Budget and Actual For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 131 ---PAGE BREAK--- Variance with Original Final Actual Final Budget REVENUES Charges for services $ 2,370,000 $ 2,370,000 $ 2,188,840 $ (181,160) Contributions and donations - - 29,940 29,940 Other income - - 1,428 1,428 Total revenues 2,370,000 2,370,000 2,220,208 (149,792) EXPENDITURES Current: Public works 2,370,000 2,370,000 2,080,564 289,436 Total expenditures 2,370,000 2,370,000 2,080,564 289,436 Excess (deficiency) of revenues over (under) expenditures - - 139,644 139,644 Net change in fund balances $ - $ - 139,644 $ 139,644 Fund balances - beginning 2,489,060 Fund balances - ending $ 2,628,704 Budgeted Amounts Columbia County, Georgia STREET LIGHTS FUND Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances – Budget and Actual For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 132 ---PAGE BREAK--- Variance with Original Final Actual Final Budget REVENUES Taxes - other $ - $ - $ 2,015 $ 2,015 Charges for services 3,260,756 3,260,756 3,376,992 116,236 Investment income - - 25,231 25,231 Other income 223,473 525,023 - (525,023) Total revenues 3,484,229 3,785,779 3,404,238 (381,541) EXPENDITURES Current: Public safety 3,484,229 3,785,779 3,785,777 2 Total expenditures 3,484,229 3,785,779 3,785,777 2 Excess (deficiency) of revenues over (under) expenditures - - (381,539) (381,539) Net change in fund balances $ - $ - (381,539) $ (381,539) Fund balances - beginning 2,246,177 Fund balances - ending $ 1,864,638 Budgeted Amounts Columbia County, Georgia 911 FUND Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances – Budget and Actual For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 133 ---PAGE BREAK--- Variance with Original Final Actual Final Budget REVENUES Fines and forfeitures $ 400,000 $ 400,000 $ 372,236 $ (27,764) Total revenues 400,000 400,000 372,236 (27,764) EXPENDITURES Current: Judicial 400,000 400,000 - 400,000 Total expenditures 400,000 400,000 - 400,000 Excess (deficiency) of revenues over (under) expenditures - - 372,236 372,236 Net change in fund balances $ - $ - 372,236 $ 372,236 Fund balances - beginning - Fund balances - ending $ 372,236 Budgeted Amounts Columbia County, Georgia OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUND Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances – Budget and Actual For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 134 ---PAGE BREAK--- Variance with Original Final Actual Final Budget REVENUES Fines and forfeitures $ 50,000 $ 50,000 $ 84,793 $ 34,793 Investment income - - 6,506 6,506 Total revenues 50,000 50,000 91,299 41,299 OTHER FINANCING SOURCES (USES) Transfers out (50,000) (50,000) (50,000) - Total other financing source (uses) (50,000) (50,000) (50,000) - Net change in fund balances $ - $ - 41,299 $ 41,299 Fund balances - beginning 427,718 Fund balances - ending $ 469,017 Budgeted Amounts Columbia County, Georgia DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances – Budget and Actual For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 135 ---PAGE BREAK--- Variance with Original Final Actual Final Budget REVENUES Charges for services $ 25,000 $ 25,000 $ 30,020 $ 5,020 Investment income - - 3,243 3,243 Total revenues 25,000 25,000 33,263 8,263 EXPENDITURES Current: Judicial 25,000 25,000 12,694 12,306 Total expenditures 25,000 25,000 12,694 12,306 Excess (deficiency) of revenues over (under) expenditures - - 20,569 20,569 Net change in fund balances $ - $ - 20,569 $ 20,569 Fund balances - beginning 219,565 Fund balances - ending $ 240,134 Budgeted Amounts Columbia County, Georgia SUPPLEMENTAL JUVENILE SERV Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances – Budget and Actual For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 136 ---PAGE BREAK--- Variance with Original Final Actual Final Budget REVENUES Fines and forfeitures $ 150,000 $ 150,000 $ 146,363 $ (3,637) Investment income - - 6,435 6,435 Total revenues 150,000 150,000 152,798 2,798 OTHER FINANCING SOURCES (USES) Transfers out (150,000) (150,000) (150,000) - Total other financing source (uses) (150,000) (150,000) (150,000) - Net change in fund balances $ - $ - 2,798 $ 2,798 Fund balances - beginning 522,950 Fund balances - ending $ 525,748 Budgeted Amounts Columbia County, Georgia JAIL FUND Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances – Budget and Actual For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 137 ---PAGE BREAK--- Variance with Original Final Actual Final Budget REVENUES Charges for services $ 36,996 $ 36,996 $ 35,663 $ (1,333) Intergovernmental revenue 271,303 271,303 266,114 (5,189) Total revenues 308,299 308,299 301,777 (6,522) EXPENDITURES Current: Judicial 308,299 308,299 301,084 7,215 Total expenditures 308,299 308,299 301,084 7,215 Excess (deficiency) of revenues over (under) expenditures - - 693 693 Net change in fund balances $ - $ - 693 $ 693 Fund balances - beginning (15,890) Fund balances - ending $ (15,197) Budgeted Amounts Columbia County, Georgia ACCOUNTABILITY COURT Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances – Budget and Actual For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 138 ---PAGE BREAK--- Variance with Original Final Actual Final Budget REVENUES Fines and forfeitures $ 4,433 $ 4,433 $ 4,296 $ (137) Investment income - - 137 137 Total revenues 4,433 4,433 4,433 - EXPENDITURES Current: Judicial 4,433 4,433 - 4,433 Total expenditures 4,433 4,433 - 4,433 Excess (deficiency) of revenues over (under) expenditures - - 4,433 4,433 Net change in fund balances $ - $ - 4,433 $ 4,433 Fund balances - beginning 6,843 Fund balances - ending $ 11,276 Budgeted Amounts Columbia County, Georgia DA ASSET FORFEITURES Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances – Budget and Actual For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 139 ---PAGE BREAK--- Variance with Original Final Actual Final Budget REVENUES Fines and forfeitures $ 4,975 $ 4,975 $ 98,744 $ 93,769 Investment income - - 1,793 1,793 Total revenues 4,975 4,975 100,537 95,562 EXPENDITURES Current: Judicial 4,975 4,975 4,974 1 Total expenditures 4,975 4,975 4,974 1 Excess (deficiency) of revenues over (under) expenditures - - 95,563 95,563 Net change in fund balances $ - $ - 95,563 $ 95,563 Fund balances - beginning 81,576 Fund balances - ending $ 177,139 Budgeted Amounts Columbia County, Georgia DA VICTIMS ASSISTANCE Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances – Budget and Actual For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 140 ---PAGE BREAK--- Variance with Original Final Actual Final Budget REVENUES Fines and forfeitures $ 1,000 $ 1,000 $ 10 $ (990) Investment income - - 19 19 Total revenues 1,000 1,000 29 (971) EXPENDITURES Current: Judicial 1,000 1,000 - 1,000 Total expenditures 1,000 1,000 - 1,000 Excess (deficiency) of revenues over (under) expenditures - - 29 29 Net change in fund balances $ - $ - 29 $ 29 Fund balances - beginning 1,457 Fund balances - ending $ 1,486 Budgeted Amounts Columbia County, Georgia DA WELFARE FRAUD Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances – Budget and Actual For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 141 ---PAGE BREAK--- Variance with Original Final Actual Final Budget REVENUES Fines and forfeitures $ 10,000 $ 10,000 $ 48,491 $ 38,491 Investment income - - 972 972 Total revenues 10,000 10,000 49,463 39,463 EXPENDITURES Current: Public safety 10,000 10,000 - 10,000 Total expenditures 10,000 10,000 - 10,000 Excess (deficiency) of revenues over (under) expenditures - - 49,463 49,463 Net change in fund balances $ - $ - 49,463 $ 49,463 Fund balances - beginning 19,639 Fund balances - ending $ 69,102 Budgeted Amounts Columbia County, Georgia FEDERAL ASSET SHARING FUND Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances – Budget and Actual For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 142 ---PAGE BREAK--- Variance with Original Final Actual Final Budget REVENUES Fines and forfeitures $ 50,000 $ 50,000 $ 34,425 $ (15,575) Investment income - - 2,013 2,013 Other income - 46,365 - (46,365) Total revenues 50,000 96,365 36,438 (59,927) EXPENDITURES Current: Public safety 50,000 96,365 96,361 4 Total expenditures 50,000 96,365 96,361 4 Excess (deficiency) of revenues over (under) expenditures - - (59,923) (59,923) Net change in fund balances $ - $ - (59,923) $ (59,923) Fund balances - beginning 151,645 Fund balances - ending $ 91,722 Budgeted Amounts Columbia County, Georgia STATE CONDEMNATION FUND Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances – Budget and Actual For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 143 ---PAGE BREAK--- Variance with Original Final Actual Final Budget REVENUES Taxes - other $ 1,242,500 $ 1,485,015 $ 2,123,211 $ 638,196 Total revenues 1,242,500 1,485,015 2,123,211 638,196 EXPENDITURES Current: Culture and recreation 1,242,500 1,485,015 1,479,013 6,002 Debt service: Principal - - 5,576 (5,576) Interest - - 424 (424) Total expenditures 1,242,500 1,485,015 1,485,013 2 Excess (deficiency) of revenues over (under) expenditures - - 638,198 638,198 Net change in fund balances $ - $ - 638,198 $ 638,198 Fund balances - beginning 1,036,183 Fund balances - ending $ 1,674,381 Budgeted Amounts Columbia County, Georgia LODGING TAX FUND Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances – Budget and Actual For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 144 ---PAGE BREAK--- Variance with Original Final Actual Final Budget REVENUES Intergovernmental revenue $ 149,968 $ 244,174 $ 321,622 $ 77,448 Total revenues 149,968 244,174 321,622 77,448 EXPENDITURES Current: General government 75,000 4,471 4,471 - Judicial 54,968 189,241 189,241 - Public safety 20,000 45,917 45,917 - Culture and recreation - 4,545 4,545 - Total expenditures 149,968 244,174 244,174 - Excess (deficiency) of revenues over (under) expenditures - - 77,448 77,448 OTHER FINANCING SOURCES (USES) Transfers in - - 47 47 Total other financing source (uses) - - 47 47 Net change in fund balances $ - $ - 77,495 $ 77,495 Fund balances - beginning 29,006 Fund balances - ending $ 106,501 Budgeted Amounts Columbia County, Georgia MULTIPLE GRANT FUND Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances – Budget and Actual For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 145 ---PAGE BREAK--- Variance with Original Final Actual Final Budget REVENUES Intergovernmental revenue $ 103,560 $ 103,560 $ 97,455 $ (6,105) Total revenues 103,560 103,560 97,455 (6,105) EXPENDITURES Current: General government 103,560 103,560 103,560 - Total expenditures 103,560 103,560 103,560 - Excess (deficiency) of revenues over (under) expenditures - - (6,105) (6,105) OTHER FINANCING SOURCES (USES) Transfers in - - 15,534 15,534 Total other financing source (uses) - - 15,534 15,534 Net change in fund balances $ - $ - 9,429 $ 9,429 Fund balances - beginning (161,995) Fund balances - ending $ (152,566) Budgeted Amounts Columbia County, Georgia 2020 GENERATOR GRANT FUND Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances – Budget and Actual For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 146 ---PAGE BREAK--- Variance with Original Final Actual Final Budget REVENUES Investment income $ - $ - $ 1,316 $ 1,316 Contributions and donations 10,000 25,720 31,042 5,322 Total revenues 10,000 25,720 32,358 6,638 EXPENDITURES Current: Public safety 10,000 25,720 25,716 4 Total expenditures 10,000 25,720 25,716 4 Excess (deficiency) of revenues over (under) expenditures - - 6,642 6,642 Net change in fund balances $ - $ - 6,642 $ 6,642 Fund balances - beginning 86,751 Fund balances - ending $ 93,393 Budgeted Amounts Columbia County, Georgia SHERIFF'S GIFTS/DONATIONS Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances – Budget and Actual For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 147 ---PAGE BREAK--- Variance with Original Final Actual Final Budget REVENUES Taxes - other $ 8,700,000 $ 8,700,000 $ 10,528,417 $ 1,828,417 Total revenues 8,700,000 8,700,000 10,528,417 1,828,417 EXPENDITURES Current: General government - 680,971 - 680,971 Public works 8,144,612 7,463,641 7,156,504 307,137 Culture and recreation 555,388 555,388 557,324 (1,936) Total expenditures 8,700,000 8,700,000 7,713,828 986,172 Excess (deficiency) of revenues over (under) expenditures - - 2,814,589 2,814,589 Net change in fund balances $ - $ - 2,814,589 $ 2,814,589 Fund balances - beginning (100,087) Fund balances - ending $ 2,714,502 Budgeted Amounts Columbia County, Georgia INSURANCE PREMIUM TAX Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances – Budget and Actual For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 148 ---PAGE BREAK--- Variance with Original Final Actual Final Budget REVENUES Charges for services $ 39,700 $ 109,910 $ 149,112 $ 39,202 Investment income - - 1,402 1,402 Contributions and donations 102,000 102,000 109,217 7,217 Other income 84,000 84,000 89,766 5,766 Total revenues 225,700 295,910 349,497 53,587 EXPENDITURES Current: Culture and recreation 225,700 295,910 293,966 1,944 Total expenditures 225,700 295,910 293,966 1,944 Excess (deficiency) of revenues over (under) expenditures - - 55,531 55,531 Net change in fund balances $ - $ - 55,531 $ 55,531 Fund balances - beginning 116,852 Fund balances - ending $ 172,383 Budgeted Amounts Columbia County, Georgia COMMUNITY EVENTS FUND Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances – Budget and Actual For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 149 ---PAGE BREAK--- Variance with Original Final Actual Final Budget REVENUES Contributions and donations $ 1,000 $ 1,000 $ - $ (1,000) Total revenues 1,000 1,000 - (1,000) EXPENDITURES Current: Culture and recreation 1,000 1,000 - 1,000 Total expenditures 1,000 1,000 - 1,000 Excess (deficiency) of revenues over (under) expenditures - - - - Net change in fund balances $ - $ - - $ - Fund balances - beginning 7,730 Fund balances - ending $ 7,730 Budgeted Amounts Columbia County, Georgia MEMORIAL WALL FUND Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances – Budget and Actual For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 150 ---PAGE BREAK--- Variance with Original Final Actual Final Budget REVENUES Charges for services $ 1,000 $ 1,000 $ - $ (1,000) Investment income - - 16 16 Total revenues 1,000 1,000 16 (984) EXPENDITURES Current: Judicial 1,000 1,000 - 1,000 Total expenditures 1,000 1,000 - 1,000 Excess (deficiency) of revenues over (under) expenditures - - 16 16 Net change in fund balances $ - $ - 16 $ 16 Fund balances - beginning 32,268 Fund balances - ending $ 32,284 Budgeted Amounts Columbia County, Georgia GA SUP CT CK'S COOP AUTH Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances – Budget and Actual For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 151 ---PAGE BREAK--- Variance with Original Final Actual Final Budget REVENUES Fines and forfeitures $ 20,000 $ 47,395 $ 29,569 $ (17,826) Investment income - - 175 175 Total revenues 20,000 47,395 29,744 (17,651) EXPENDITURES Current: Judicial 20,000 47,395 47,395 - Total expenditures 20,000 47,395 47,395 - Excess (deficiency) of revenues over (under) expenditures - - (17,651) (17,651) Net change in fund balances $ - $ - (17,651) $ (17,651) Fund balances - beginning 233,703 Fund balances - ending $ 216,052 Budgeted Amounts Columbia County, Georgia LAW LIBRARY FUND Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances – Budget and Actual For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 152 ---PAGE BREAK--- Variance with Original Final Actual Final Budget REVENUES Taxes - sales $ 3,500,000 $ 3,500,000 $ 3,655,412 $ 155,412 Investment income - - 246,090 246,090 Total revenues 3,500,000 3,500,000 3,901,502 401,502 EXPENDITURES Current: Public works 2,345,846 2,345,846 2,058,714 287,132 Total expenditures 2,345,846 2,345,846 2,058,714 287,132 Excess (deficiency) of revenues over (under) expenditures 1,154,154 1,154,154 1,842,788 688,634 OTHER FINANCING SOURCES (USES) Transfers out (1,154,154) (1,154,154) (216,265) 937,889 Total other financing source (uses) (1,154,154) (1,154,154) (216,265) 937,889 Net change in fund balances $ - $ - 1,626,523 $ 1,626,523 Fund balances - beginning 3,535,109 Fund balances - ending $ 5,161,632 Budgeted Amounts Columbia County, Georgia TSPLOST 25% DISCRETIONARY FUND Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances – Budget and Actual For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 153 ---PAGE BREAK--- Variance with Original Final Actual Final Budget REVENUES Investment income $ - $ - $ 81,857 $ 81,857 Other income 2,956,750 2,956,750 - (2,956,750) Total revenues 2,956,750 2,956,750 81,857 (2,874,893) EXPENDITURES Debt service: Principal 2,815,000 2,815,000 2,815,000 - Interest 140,750 140,750 140,750 - Other 1,000 1,000 550 450 Total expenditures 2,956,750 2,956,750 2,956,300 450 Excess (deficiency) of revenues over (under) expenditures - - (2,874,443) (2,874,443) OTHER FINANCING SOURCES (USES) Transfers out (227,217) (227,217) Total other financing source (uses) - - (227,217) (227,217) Net change in fund balances $ - $ - (3,101,660) $ (3,101,660) Fund balances - beginning 3,101,660 Fund balances - ending $ - Budgeted Amounts Columbia County, Georgia DEBT SERVICE FUND-2015 GO BOND Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances – Budget and Actual For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 154 ---PAGE BREAK--- Variance with Original Final Actual Final Budget REVENUES Investment income $ - $ 450 $ 367 $ (83) Total revenues - 450 367 (83) EXPENDITURES Debt service: Principal 2,180,000 2,180,000 2,180,000 - Interest 60,364 60,814 60,808 6 Total expenditures 2,240,364 2,240,814 2,240,808 6 Excess (deficiency) of revenues over (under) expenditures (2,240,364) (2,240,364) (2,240,441) (77) OTHER FINANCING SOURCES (USES) Transfers in 2,240,364 2,240,364 2,240,435 71 Total other financing source (uses) 2,240,364 2,240,364 2,240,435 71 Net change in fund balances $ - $ - $ Fund balances - beginning 6 Fund balances - ending $ - Budgeted Amounts Columbia County, Georgia DEBT SERVICE FUND-2016 GO BOND Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances – Budget and Actual For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 155 ---PAGE BREAK--- Variance with Original Final Actual Final Budget REVENUES Taxes - property $ 2,990,000 $ 6,938,127 $ 5,140,622 $ (1,797,505) Investment income - - 71,947 71,947 Total revenues 2,990,000 6,938,127 5,212,569 (1,725,558) EXPENDITURES Debt service: Principal 2,390,000 2,390,000 2,390,000 - Interest 600,000 600,000 600,000 - Other - 1,600 1,600 - Total expenditures 2,990,000 2,991,600 2,991,600 - Excess (deficiency) of revenues over (under) expenditures - 3,946,527 2,220,969 (1,725,558) OTHER FINANCING SOURCES (USES) Transfers out - (3,946,527) (3,946,527) - Total other financing source (uses) - (3,946,527) (3,946,527) - Net change in fund balances $ - $ - (1,725,558) $ (1,725,558) Fund balances - beginning 1,783,971 Fund balances - ending $ 58,413 Budgeted Amounts Columbia County, Georgia DEBT SERVICE FUND-2017 GO BOND Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances – Budget and Actual For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 156 ---PAGE BREAK--- Variance with Original Final Actual Final Budget EXPENDITURES Debt service: Principal $ 840,000 $ 840,000 $ 840,000 $ - Interest 1,136,536 1,425,083 1,426,533 (1,450) Other 2,000 2,000 550 1,450 Total expenditures 1,978,536 2,267,083 2,267,083 - Excess (deficiency) of revenues over (under) expenditures (1,978,536) (2,267,083) (2,267,083) - OTHER FINANCING SOURCES (USES) Transfers in 1,978,536 2,267,083 2,252,317 (14,766) Total other financing source (uses) 1,978,536 2,267,083 2,252,317 (14,766) Net change in fund balances $ - $ - (14,766) $ (14,766) Fund balances - beginning 14,766 Fund balances - ending $ - Budgeted Amounts Columbia County, Georgia DEBT SERVICE FUND-2022 GO BOND Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances – Budget and Actual For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 157 ---PAGE BREAK--- NONMAJOR ENTERPRISE FUNDS 158 ---PAGE BREAK--- COMMUNICATIONS UTILITY SAVANNAH RAPIDS PAVILION PERFORMING ARTS CENTER EXHIBITION CENTER Total Nonmajor Enterprise Funds ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,499,100 $ - $ 1,463,009 $ - $ 3,962,109 Accounts receivable 60,551 8,119 4,337 6,392 79,399 Lease receivable 364,846 - - - 364,846 Interest receivable 325 - - - 325 Due from other funds 1,262 - - - 1,262 Prepaid items 175 243 82 33 533 Total current assets 2,926,259 8,362 1,467,428 6,425 4,408,474 Noncurrent assets: Capital assets, net of acc dep/amort 10,437,022 1,379,420 28,163 - 11,844,605 Total noncurrent assets 10,437,022 1,379,420 28,163 - 11,844,605 Total assets 13,363,281 1,387,782 1,495,591 6,425 16,253,079 DEFERRED OUTFLOWS OF RESOURCES OPEB changes in assumptions 4,257 7,098 - - 11,355 Total deferred outflows of resources 4,257 7,098 - - 11,355 Total assets and deferred outflows of resources 13,367,538 1,394,880 1,495,591 6,425 16,264,434 LIABILITIES Current liabilities: Accounts payable 109,234 10,427 942,918 13,276 1,075,855 SBITA payable - - 27,651 - 27,651 Lease payable 18,690 - - - 18,690 Accrued payroll 20,821 8,922 20,995 4,954 55,692 Accrued compensated absences 25,200 3,675 13,705 6,924 49,504 Unearned revenue - 172,990 10,638 33,565 217,193 Due to other funds - 501,352 3,284 155,522 660,158 Accrued interest payable 64 - 1,021 - 1,085 Customer deposits - 18,222 - 33,994 52,216 Total current liabilities 174,009 715,588 1,020,212 248,235 2,158,044 Noncurrent liabilities: Lease payable 12,987 - - - 12,987 Accrued compensated absences 25,200 3,675 13,705 6,924 49,504 Advances from other funds 3,000,000 - - - 3,000,000 Net OPEB liability 17,005 32,652 691 296 50,644 Total noncurrent liabilities 3,055,192 36,327 14,396 7,220 3,113,135 Total liabilities 3,229,201 751,915 1,034,608 255,455 5,271,179 DEFERRED INFLOWS OF RESOURCES Lease related 349,326 - - - 349,326 OPEB expected vs actual experience 18,291 20,304 2,494 1,069 42,158 OPEB changes in assumptions 8,960 8,576 519 223 18,278 Total deferred inflows of resources 376,577 28,880 3,013 1,292 409,762 Total liabilities and deferred inflows of resources 3,605,778 780,795 1,037,621 256,747 5,680,941 NET POSITION Net investment in capital assets 10,405,345 1,379,420 512 - 11,785,277 Unrestricted (643,585) (765,335) 457,458 (250,322) (1,201,784) Total net position $ 9,761,760 $ 614,085 $ 457,970 $ (250,322) $ 10,583,493 Columbia County, Georgia Combining Statement of Net Position Nonmajor Enterprise Funds June 30, 2023 159 ---PAGE BREAK--- COMMUNICATIONS UTILITY SAVANNAH RAPIDS PAVILION PERFORMING ARTS CENTER EXHIBITION CENTER Total Nonmajor Enterprise Funds OPERATING REVENUES Charges for services $ 2,101,855 $ 527,932 $ 1,160,760 $ 227,250 $ 4,017,797 Rental income 141,611 - 500,051 1,020 642,682 Other income - 20,802 2,616 26,616 50,034 Total operating revenues 2,243,466 548,734 1,663,427 254,886 4,710,513 OPERATING EXPENSES Personal services 609,833 279,075 608,185 150,617 1,647,710 Purchased/contract services 571,674 76,384 651,830 21,513 1,321,401 Supplies and materials 131,437 121,576 281,478 170,394 704,885 Interfund charges 319,309 27,234 - - 346,543 Depreciation/amortization 980,122 122,582 28,163 - 1,130,867 Other costs - - 351 - 351 Total operating expenses 2,612,375 626,851 1,570,007 342,524 5,151,757 Operating income (loss) (368,909) (78,117) 93,420 (87,638) (441,244) NONOPERATING REVENUES (EXPENSES) Gain on sale of capital assets - 125 - - 125 Lease revenue 184,503 - - - 184,503 Investment income (loss) 50,207 - 17,792 - 67,999 Interest expense (1,019) - (1,021) - (2,040) Total nonoperating revenues (expenses) 233,691 125 16,771 - 250,587 Income (loss) before contributions and transfers (135,218) (77,992) 110,191 (87,638) (190,657) Transfers in - - 300,000 - 300,000 Change in net position (135,218) (77,992) 410,191 (87,638) 109,343 Total net position - beginning 9,896,978 692,077 47,779 (162,684) 10,474,150 Total net position - ending $ 9,761,760 $ 614,085 $ 457,970 $ (250,322) $ 10,583,493 Columbia County, Georgia Combining Statement of Revenues, Expenses, and Changes in Net Position Nonmajor Enterprise Funds For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 160 ---PAGE BREAK--- $ 2,355,571 $ 541,184 $ 1,502,837 $ 266,009 $ 4,665,601 (984,708) (256,467) (1,532,840) (119,388) (2,893,403) (598,532) (284,842) (569,094) (146,621) (1,599,089) 772,331 (125) (599,097) - 173,109 - - 300,000 - 300,000 - - 300,000 - 300,000 192,439 - - - 192,439 (934,201) - - - (934,201) - 125 - - 125 (17,669) - (28,675) - (46,344) (1,055) - - - (1,055) (760,486) 125 (28,675) - (789,036) 38,939 - 17,792 - 56,731 38,939 - 17,792 - 56,731 50,784 - (309,980) - (259,196) 2,448,316 - 1,772,989 - 4,221,305 $ 2,499,100 $ - $ 1,463,009 $ - $ 3,962,109 (used in) operating activities $ (368,909) $ (78,117) $ 93,420 $ (87,638) $ (441,244) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 980,122 122,582 28,163 - 1,130,867 Change in assets and liabilities Accounts receivable 112,105 1,182 (935) 4,444 116,796 Deferred charges / prepaid expense (20) 112 (18) 2 76 Due from other funds (1,262) - - - (1,262) Accounts payable 66,004 950 780,322 1,974 849,250 Accrued liabilities 11,301 (5,767) 39,091 4,292 48,917 Customer deposits - 8,289 - 33,994 42,283 Due to other funds (27,010) (32,335) (1,379,485) 70,247 (1,368,583) Unearned revenue - (17,021) (159,655) (27,315) (203,991) Total adjustments 1,141,240 77,992 (692,517) 87,638 614,353 Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities $ 772,331 $ (125) $ (599,097) $ - $ 173,109 Acquisition of capital assets from leases/sbitas $ - $ - $ 56,326 $ - $ 56,326 activities: End of year Reconciliation of operating income (loss) to net cash provided by Operating income (loss) Adjustments to reconcile operating income (loss) Noncash investing, capital, and financing Investing activities Interest received Net cash provided by (used) in investing activities Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents Beginning of year related financing activities Capital and related financing activities Acquisition and construction of capital assets Proceeds from sale of capital assets Principal paid on leases/sbitas Interest paid on leases/sbitas Net cash provided by (used in) capital and Proceeds from leases financing activities Operating activities Cash received from customers and others Cash paid to suppliers and others Cash paid to employees Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities Noncapital financing activities Transfer from other funds Net cash provided by (used in) noncapital Columbia County, Georgia Combining Statement of Cash Flows Nonmajor Enterprise Funds For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 COMMUNICATIONS UTILITY SAVANNAH RAPIDS PAVILION Total Nonmajor Enterprise Funds PERFORMING ARTS CENTER EXHIBITION CENTER 161 ---PAGE BREAK--- NONMAJOR INTERNAL SERVICE FUNDS 162 ---PAGE BREAK--- EMPLOYEE MEDICAL FUND RISK MANAGEMENT FUND UTILITY DAMAGE PREVENTION CUSTOMER SERVICE AND INFORMATION CENTER FLEET REPLACEMENT FUND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS Total Internal Service Funds ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 5,125,192 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 5,125,192 Accounts receivable 1,050,169 375 - - 315 - 1,050,859 Due from other funds - 1,308,160 791,030 24,694 1,458,256 23,147 3,605,287 Prepaid items 55 364 1,650 75 - 810 2,954 Total current assets 6,175,416 1,308,899 792,680 24,769 1,458,571 23,957 9,784,292 Noncurrent assets: Capital assets, net of acc dep - - 37,239 - 5,450,310 131,838 5,619,387 Total noncurrent assets - - 37,239 - 5,450,310 131,838 5,619,387 Total assets 6,175,416 1,308,899 829,919 24,769 6,908,881 155,795 15,403,679 LIABILITIES Current liabilities: Accounts payable 57,717 129,534 379 196 239,635 21,902 449,363 Claims payable 1,500,000 871,110 - - - - 2,371,110 Accrued payroll 7,046 6,317 22,916 8,983 - 25,880 71,142 Accrued compensated absences 641 9,961 27,886 7,795 - 27,976 74,259 Due to other funds 3,637,782 282,016 750,852 - - - 4,670,650 Total current liabilities 5,203,186 1,298,938 802,033 16,974 239,635 75,758 7,636,524 Noncurrent liabilities: Accrued compensated absences 641 9,961 27,886 7,795 - 27,976 74,259 Total noncurrent liabilities 641 9,961 27,886 7,795 - 27,976 74,259 Total liabilities 5,203,827 1,308,899 829,919 24,769 239,635 103,734 7,710,783 NET POSITION Net investment in capital assets - - 37,239 - 5,450,310 131,838 5,619,387 Unrestricted 971,589 - (37,239) - 1,218,936 (79,777) 2,073,509 Total net position $ 971,589 $ - $ - $ - $ 6,669,246 $ 52,061 $ 7,692,896 Columbia County, Georgia Combining Statement of Net Position Nonmajor Internal Service Funds June 30, 2023 163 ---PAGE BREAK--- EMPLOYEE MEDICAL FUND RISK MANAGEMENT FUND UTILITY DAMAGE PREVENTION CUSTOMER SERVICE AND INFORMATION CENTER FLEET REPLACEMENT FUND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS Total Internal Service Funds OPERATING REVENUES Charges for services $ - $ 2,248,067 $ 852,735 $ 263,894 $ 2,011,527 $ 1,302,561 $ 6,678,784 Intergovernmental revenue 13,676,265 - - - - - 13,676,265 Total operating revenues 13,676,265 2,248,067 852,735 263,894 2,011,527 1,302,561 20,355,049 OPERATING EXPENSES Personal services 205,156 183,253 670,888 258,034 - 701,011 2,018,342 Purchased/contract services 12,046,415 1,604,917 65,914 3,178 1,234,017 403,674 15,358,115 Supplies and materials - 29,549 94,367 2,682 - 62,373 188,971 Depreciation/amortization - - 21,566 - 1,516,686 79,673 1,617,925 Total operating expenses 12,251,571 1,817,719 852,735 263,894 2,750,703 1,246,731 19,183,353 Operating income (loss) 1,424,694 430,348 - - (739,176) 55,830 1,171,696 NONOPERATING REVENUES (EXPENSES) Investment income (loss) 86,198 - - - - - 86,198 Interest expense - - - - - (3,769) (3,769) Total nonoperating revenues (expenses) 86,198 - - - - (3,769) 82,429 Income (loss) before contributions and transfers 1,510,892 430,348 - - (739,176) 52,061 1,254,125 Transfers in 4,000,000 - - - 3,930,348 - 7,930,348 Transfers out - (430,348) - - - - (430,348) Change in net position 5,510,892 - - - 3,191,172 52,061 8,754,125 Total net position - beginning (4,539,303) - - - 3,478,074 - (1,061,229) Total net position - ending $ 971,589 $ - $ - $ - $ 6,669,246 $ 52,061 $ 7,692,896 Columbia County, Georgia Combining Statement of Revenues, Expenses, and Changes in Net Position Nonmajor Internal Service Funds For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 164 ---PAGE BREAK--- EMPLOYEE MEDICAL FUND RISK MANAGEMENT FUND UTILITY DAMAGE PREVENTION CUSTOMER SERVICE AND INFORMATION CENTER FLEET REPLACEMENT FUND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS Total Internal Service Funds $ 12,634,007 $ 2,259,825 $ 852,735 $ 263,894 $ (1,468,841) $ 1,302,561 $ 15,844,181 (16,245,107) (1,646,256) (188,743) (5,752) (994,697) (465,613) (19,546,168) (205,814) (183,221) (663,992) (258,142) - (686,239) (1,997,408) (3,816,914) 430,348 - - (2,463,538) 150,709 (5,699,395) 4,000,000 - - 4,000,000 - (430,348) - (430,348) 4,000,000 (430,348) - - - - 3,569,652 3,930,348 - 3,930,348 (1,466,810) (40,709) (1,507,519) - - - - - (106,231) (106,231) - - - - - (3,769) (3,769) - - - - 2,463,538 (150,709) 2,312,829 86,198 - - - - - 86,198 86,198 - - - - - 86,198 269,284 - - - - - 269,284 4,855,908 - - - - - 4,855,908 $ 5,125,192 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 5,125,192 (used in) operating activities $ 1,424,694 $ 430,348 $ - $ - $ (739,176) $ 55,830 $ 1,171,696 to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Depreciation and amortization - - 21,566 - 1,516,686 79,673 1,617,925 Change in assets and liabilities Accounts receivable (1,042,258) 11,758 - - (315) - (1,030,815) Deferred charges / prepaid expense 7 (102) (202) - (90) (395) Due from other funds - (838,401) (114,031) (977) (1,458,256) (20,389) (2,432,054) Accounts payable (31,488) 544,697 379 116 239,635 20,913 774,252 Accrued liabilities (658) 32 6,896 869 - 14,772 21,911 Due to other funds (4,167,211) 282,016 85,392 - (2,022,112) - (5,821,915) Total adjustments (5,241,608) - - - (1,724,362) 94,879 (6,871,091) Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities $ (3,816,914) $ 430,348 $ - $ - $ (2,463,538) $ 150,709 $ (5,699,395) Acquisition of capital assets from leases/sbitas $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 106,231 $ 106,231 activities: Reconciliation of operating income (loss) to net cash provided by Operating income (loss) Adjustments to reconcile operating income (loss) Noncash investing, capital, and financing End of year Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents Beginning of year Interest received Principal paid on leases/sbitas Interest paid on leases/sbitas Net cash provided by (used in) capital and related financing activities Investing activities Acquisition and construction of capital assets Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities Noncapital financing activities Transfer to other funds Net cash provided by (used in) noncapital financing activities Capital and related financing activities Transfer from other funds Transfer from other funds Cash paid to employees Columbia County, Georgia Combining Statement of Cash Flows Nonmajor Internal Service Funds For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 Operating activities Cash received from (paid to) customers and others Cash paid to suppliers and others 165 ---PAGE BREAK--- CUSTODIAL FUNDS 166 ---PAGE BREAK--- Tax Clerk of Probate Magistrate Sheriff's Commissioner's Superior Court Court Court Office Office Total ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents 3,050,040 $ 900,162 $ 66,449 $ 938,283 $ 1,144,033 $ 6,098,967 $ LIABILITIES Due to others 231,684 202,419 31,798 24,063 1,099,893 1,589,857 NET POSITION Restricted for individuals, organizations, and other governments 2,818,356 $ 697,743 $ 34,651 $ 914,220 $ 44,140 $ 4,509,110 $ COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Combining Statement of Fiduciary Net Position Custodial Funds June 30, 2023 167 ---PAGE BREAK--- Tax Clerk of Probate Magistrate Sheriff's Commissioner's Superior Court Court Court Office Office Total Taxes $ 6,653,507 $ - $ - $ - $ 300,215,571 $ 306,869,078 Fines and fees 570,799 3,758,195 617,397 773,358 - 5,719,749 Criminal and civil bonds 16,018 2,247,685 - 357,520 - 2,621,223 Other 1,121,520 875,996 - 1,077,484 - 3,075,000 Total additions 8,361,844 6,881,876 617,397 2,208,362 300,215,571 318,285,050 Taxes and fees paid to other governments 624,444 504,680 280,435 625,879 153,397,498 155,432,936 Payments to County 7,616,168 4,475,904 125,661 337,029 73,466,385 86,021,147 Other custodial disbursements 1,130,011 1,506,947 212,354 1,155,605 73,345,918 77,350,835 Total deductions 9,370,623 6,487,531 618,450 2,118,513 300,209,801 318,804,918 Change in fiduciary net position (1,008,779) 394,345 (1,053) 89,849 5,770 (519,868) Net position, beginning of year 3,827,135 303,398 35,704 824,371 38,370 5,028,978 Net position, end of year $ 2,818,356 $ 697,743 $ 34,651 $ 914,220 $ 44,140 $ 4,509,110 DEDUCTIONS COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Combining Statement of Changes in Fiduciary Net Position Custodial Funds For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 ADDITIONS 168 ---PAGE BREAK--- SPECIAL PURPOSE LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX FUNDS 169 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA SCHEDULE OF SPECIAL PURPOSE LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX 2011 - 2016 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax Program For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 Estimated Original Prior Current Percentage Project Years' Year Total of Project Budget* Cost Cost Cost Completion Level One Countywide projects 48,666,645 $ 31,863,209 $ 31,863,209 $ 100% Transportation projects 46,633,663 33,384,746 2,891,605 36,276,351 100% Recreation facilities 14,017,674 11,614,929 1,462,733 13,077,662 98% Public Safety and Emergency Services buildings, facilities and equipment 9,270,041 7,319,321 7,319,321 100% County administrative buildings and facilities 7,895,642 6,306,065 6,306,065 100% Improvements to stormwater and water systems 13,800,847 9,263,750 - 9,263,750 100% City of Harlem 3,178,601 2,372,447 - 2,372,447 100% City of Grovetown 11,156,888 8,324,742 - 8,324,742 100% $ 154,620,001 $ 110,449,209 $ 4,354,338 $ 114,803,547 * Tier I & II Only Note: 2009 Capital Projects Improvements Plan Fund accounts for projects funded by the 2009 General Obligations Bonds and collections from the 2011-2016 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax. 170 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA SCHEDULE OF SPECIAL PURPOSE LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX 2017 - 2022 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax Program For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 Estimated Original Prior Current Percentage Project Years' Year Total of Project Budget Cost Cost Cost Completion Countywide projects 57,665,280 $ 3,613,233 $ 4,084,608 $ 7,697,841 $ 13% Transportation projects 7,000,000 2,384,133 3,936,076 6,320,209 90% Community Services 21,000,160 5,148,241 856,910 6,005,151 27% IT and Broadband Projects 3,993,019 59,069 910,680 969,749 24% Public Safety and Emergency Services buildings, facilities and equipment 5,654,000 1,349,871 1,021,566 2,371,437 42% Public Health 30,000,000 - 388,616 388,616 1% County administrative buildings and facilities 1,514,258 616,255 447,582 1,063,837 70% Stormwater Improvements 7,000,000 995,350 1,451,823 2,447,173 35% City of Harlem 2,590,041 2,571,241 522,072 3,093,313 100% City of Grovetown 8,633,472 8,570,797 1,740,240 10,311,037 100% $ 145,050,230 $ 25,308,190 15,360,173 $ 40,668,363 2,240,435 $ 17,600,608 Note: 2017-2022 SPLOST program includes projects funded by the 2015 General Obligations Bonds. The capital outlay included above is recorded as expenditures in the 2015 General Obligation Bond Fund and the Special Local Option Sales Tax 2017-2022 Fund. Transfer to Debt Service Funds 171 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA SCHEDULE OF SPECIAL PURPOSE LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX 2023 - 2028 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax Program For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023 Estimated Original Prior Current Percentage Project Years' Year Total of Project Budget Cost Cost Cost Completion Countywide projects 29,319,578 $ - $ - $ - $ 0% Transportation projects 30,680,420 - 7,272 7,272 2% Community Services 96,183,544 - - - 0% IT and Broadband Projects 8,258,500 - - - 0% Public Safety and Emergency Services buildings, facilities and equipment 37,003,053 - - - 0% Economic Development 6,375,479 - - - 0% County administrative buildings and facilities 8,951,888 - - - 0% Utilities 37,442,338 - - - 0% City of Harlem 7,796,585 - 438,348 438,348 6% City of Grovetown 25,988,615 - 1,461,170 1,461,170 6% $ 288,000,000 $ - $ 1,906,790 $ 1,906,790 172 ---PAGE BREAK--- STATISTICAL SECTION ---PAGE BREAK--- Contents Page Financial Trends Revenue Capacity Debt Capacity Demographic and Economic Information Operating Information These schedules contain service and infrastructure data to help the reader understand how the information in the government's financial report relates to the services the government provides and the activities it performs. Sources: Unless otherwise noted, the information in these schedules is derived from the comprehensive annual financial reports for the relevant year. This part of Columbia County, Georgia's comprehensive annual financial report presents detailed information as a context for understanding what the information in the financial statements, note disclosures, and required supplementary information says about the government's overall financial health. STATISTICAL SECTION These schedules contain trend information to help the reader understand how the government's financial performance and well-being have changed over time. These schedules contain information to help the reader assess the government's most significant local revenue sources, the property tax and the sales tax. These schedules present information to help the reader assess the affordability of the government's current levels of outstanding debt and the government's ability to issue additional debt in the future. These schedules offer demographic and economic indicators to help the reader understand the environment within which the government's financial activities take place. 173 178 185 189 192 ---PAGE BREAK--- 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Governmental activities Net investment in capital assets 200,894,204 $ 208,779,154 $ 219,854,303 $ 237,032,052 $ 250,250,514 $ 265,461,677 $ 279,597,682 $ 312,857,870 $ 332,088,980 $ 372,162,519 $ Restricted 33,612,371 34,451,325 41,209,614 43,080,606 44,526,019 52,560,511 69,159,288 83,848,458 137,985,879 135,225,742 Unrestricted 28,446,891 28,856,123 23,997,583 18,357,245 23,750,285 25,386,286 36,255,030 41,814,715 17,494,161 48,371,273 Total governmental activities net position 262,953,466 $ 272,086,602 $ 285,061,500 $ 298,469,903 $ 318,526,818 $ 343,408,474 $ 385,012,000 $ 438,521,043 $ 487,569,020 $ 555,759,534 $ Business-type activities Net investment in capital assets 207,852,015 $ 232,641,731 $ 252,963,528 $ 260,360,538 $ 263,428,107 $ 273,214,360 $ 285,541,279 $ 293,916,078 $ 311,957,663 $ 325,477,859 $ Restricted 5,162,988 6,502,175 6,496,162 6,000,870 2,675,820 2,765,314 2,904,297 645,536 646,839 745,385 Unrestricted 54,144,861 48,413,058 44,880,794 53,331,362 61,164,670 61,372,493 61,648,479 66,904,948 56,416,911 57,346,431 Total business-type activities net position 267,159,864 $ 287,556,964 $ 304,340,484 $ 319,692,770 $ 327,268,597 $ 337,352,167 $ 350,094,055 $ 361,466,562 $ 369,021,413 $ 383,569,675 $ Primary government Net investment in capital assets 408,746,219 $ 441,420,885 $ 472,817,831 $ 497,392,590 $ 513,678,621 $ 538,676,037 $ 565,138,961 $ 606,773,948 $ 644,046,643 $ 697,640,378 $ Restricted 38,775,359 40,953,500 47,705,776 49,081,476 47,201,839 55,325,825 72,063,585 84,493,994 138,632,718 135,971,127 Unrestricted 82,591,752 77,269,181 68,878,377 71,688,607 84,914,955 86,758,779 97,903,509 108,719,663 73,911,072 105,717,704 Total primary government net position 530,113,330 $ 559,643,566 $ 589,401,984 $ 618,162,673 $ 645,795,415 $ 680,760,641 $ 735,106,055 $ 799,987,605 $ 856,590,433 $ 939,329,209 $ Fiscal Year Ended June 30, (accrual basis of accounting) Last Ten Fiscal Years Net Position By Component Columbia County, Georgia 173 ---PAGE BREAK--- 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Expenses Governmental activities: General government 25,066,464 $ 16,621,251 $ 19,420,487 $ 20,143,478 $ 19,527,218 $ 19,567,469 $ 20,073,741 $ 23,545,990 $ 24,992,459 $ 27,476,973 $ Judicial system 7,057,120 7,153,128 7,382,451 7,672,098 7,863,092 8,281,359 8,740,345 8,234,335 8,683,398 9,663,804 Public safety 41,882,938 42,845,188 43,817,193 46,115,229 46,777,469 50,967,030 53,762,526 52,617,624 59,597,270 59,479,819 Public works 17,798,224 21,441,998 22,639,026 24,859,630 25,084,280 25,212,568 24,516,735 25,918,796 28,062,613 29,717,507 Health and welfare 1,762,246 1,721,658 1,859,378 1,704,218 1,740,327 1,815,315 2,576,890 1,380,553 1,521,908 1,540,054 Culture and recreation 5,635,826 6,527,623 7,145,689 7,808,566 8,151,722 8,375,812 7,704,021 9,651,530 12,348,726 14,421,268 Housing and development 3,467,112 3,905,752 4,071,607 4,687,428 6,847,532 5,760,467 6,174,711 8,705,763 5,487,540 5,888,491 Debt service - interest and fees 2,602,359 2,229,517 2,533,437 3,286,174 3,285,591 4,580,806 2,657,170 2,373,153 1,371,688 1,973,532 Total governmental activities expenses 105,272,289 102,446,115 108,869,268 116,276,821 119,277,231 124,560,826 126,206,139 132,427,744 142,065,602 150,161,448 Business-type activities: Water and sewer 22,756,426 25,871,589 27,331,033 28,671,102 31,682,676 32,387,698 34,201,419 33,939,842 36,281,789 38,525,791 Storm water 3,567,076 3,944,870 4,435,893 5,080,834 5,261,893 5,578,729 5,917,026 6,491,048 7,229,728 7,631,306 Solid waste management 683,077 561,225 464,271 1,097,376 1,117,994 1,124,943 1,059,742 1,100,555 1,351,434 (4,005,404) Rental facilities (SRP, PAC, EC) 823,194 833,384 928,698 909,198 855,123 884,854 882,739 1,083,181 2,411,113 2,499,492 Communications utility 1,973,317 1,931,029 2,102,998 2,271,075 2,656,968 2,172,163 2,428,688 2,598,719 2,465,056 2,544,144 Total business-type activities expenses 29,803,090 33,142,097 35,262,893 38,029,585 41,574,654 42,148,387 44,489,614 45,213,345 49,739,120 47,195,329 Total primary government expenses 135,075,379 $ 135,588,212 $ 144,132,161 $ 154,306,406 $ 160,851,885 $ 166,709,213 $ 170,695,753 $ 177,641,089 $ 191,804,722 $ 197,356,777 $ Program Revenues Governmental activities: Charges for services: General government 2,355,648 $ 2,269,204 $ 2,161,960 $ 2,239,766 $ 2,261,130 $ 2,419,343 $ 2,472,606 $ 2,739,267 $ 2,815,042 $ 3,126,652 $ Judicial system 3,191,771 3,066,341 2,880,152 2,868,380 2,738,272 3,321,325 2,795,401 3,403,281 3,196,341 3,317,731 Public safety 2,945,524 3,095,173 3,058,053 3,186,568 4,582,597 3,264,293 3,542,509 3,723,490 4,059,597 3,970,143 Other activities 4,961,323 5,227,520 5,459,911 6,180,772 6,148,046 5,645,010 5,952,720 6,533,453 6,922,795 6,570,857 Operating grants and contributions 10,014,047 1,069,776 1,613,277 1,742,368 1,742,091 1,512,047 7,084,124 3,725,079 4,067,740 2,506,644 Capital grants and contributions 5,515,628 10,407,094 10,561,235 14,734,666 7,900,602 7,903,855 7,401,359 6,906,759 9,191,092 16,129,171 Total governmental activities program revenues 28,983,941 25,135,108 25,734,588 30,952,520 25,372,738 24,065,873 29,248,719 27,031,329 30,252,607 35,621,198 Business-type activities: Charges for services: Water and sewer 30,656,969 32,036,580 34,583,144 36,018,804 35,320,188 36,237,859 37,926,404 39,215,358 40,057,332 38,722,291 Storm water 2,650,408 3,038,638 3,959,943 4,997,996 5,475,348 5,605,951 5,750,445 5,747,570 5,913,627 6,000,762 Rental facilities (SRP, PAC, EC) 448,370 513,352 507,124 537,722 562,631 611,815 414,934 433,359 1,191,607 1,915,942 Communications utility 620,094 827,484 1,037,552 1,362,904 1,501,751 1,901,969 1,678,947 1,880,712 2,393,224 2,101,855 Operating grants and contributions - - 959 336 308,507 391,975 391,266 362,333 343,390 413,626 Capital grants and contributions 3,489,476 8,966,062 10,438,511 9,423,779 4,912,074 4,913,952 8,728,324 8,353,692 7,626,380 10,434,222 Total business-type activities program revenues 37,865,317 45,382,116 50,527,233 52,341,541 48,080,499 49,663,521 54,890,320 55,993,024 57,525,560 59,588,698 Total primary government program revenues 66,849,258 $ 70,517,224 $ 76,261,821 $ 83,294,061 $ 73,453,237 $ 73,729,394 $ 84,139,039 $ 83,024,353 $ 87,778,167 $ 95,209,896 $ For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, (accrual basis of accounting) Last Ten Fiscal Years Changes in Net Position Columbia County, Georgia 174 ---PAGE BREAK--- 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Net (expense)/revenue Governmental activities (76,288,348) $ (77,311,007) $ (83,134,680) $ (85,324,301) $ (93,904,493) $ (96,957,420) $ (105,396,415) $ (111,812,995) $ (114,540,250) $ Business-type activities 8,062,227 12,240,019 15,264,340 14,311,956 6,505,845 7,515,134 10,400,706 10,779,679 7,786,440 12,393,369 Total primary government net expense (68,226,121) $ (65,070,988) $ (67,870,340) $ (71,012,345) $ (87,398,648) $ (92,979,819) $ (86,556,714) $ (94,616,736) $ (104,026,555) $ (102,146,881) $ General Revenues and Other Changes in Net Position Governmental activities: Taxes Property taxes, general 39,999,488 $ 44,808,849 $ 46,612,056 $ 49,241,893 $ 56,994,517 $ 59,396,566 $ 64,933,183 $ 70,173,862 $ 71,369,280 $ 76,447,333 $ Sales taxes 36,422,967 38,445,119 38,928,718 39,974,085 45,164,499 52,809,519 60,600,966 75,245,507 78,327,807 88,366,671 Other taxes 7,808,542 8,525,795 9,055,643 9,674,268 10,211,943 10,880,452 11,211,716 12,092,916 13,327,234 15,919,650 Revenues from use of money and property 41,267 446,671 498,240 369,572 410,914 1,331,966 1,047,525 96,908 (2,881,211) 1,735,866 Gain on sale of capital assets 153,820 340,311 181,780 236,784 31,845 89,430 31,440 95,850 373,343 1,232 Miscellaneous 593,800 894,964 1,135,029 1,047,307 1,290,588 1,177,218 1,119,857 1,466,371 1,543,662 1,560,114 Transfers 6,522,996 (7,017,566) (301,888) (164,450) (142,898) (308,542) (383,741) (265,956) (1,199,143) (1,300,102) Total governmental activities 91,542,880 86,444,143 96,109,578 100,379,459 113,961,408 125,376,609 138,560,946 158,905,458 160,860,972 182,730,764 Business-type activities: Revenues from use of money and property (247,901) 719,811 688,273 244,078 161,005 1,683,912 1,373,583 (245,591) (2,661,512) (179,681) Gain on sale of capital assets - 33,545 24,260 34,243 512 7,759 3,282 220 1,444 125 Miscellaneous 395,361 386,159 504,759 890,690 765,567 568,223 580,576 572,243 1,229,336 1,034,347 Transfers (6,522,996) 7,017,566 301,888 164,450 142,898 308,542 383,741 265,956 1,199,143 1,300,102 Total business-type activities (6,375,536) 8,157,081 1,519,180 1,333,461 1,069,982 2,568,436 2,341,182 592,828 (231,589) 2,154,893 Total primary government 85,167,344 $ 94,601,224 $ 97,628,758 $ 101,712,920 $ 115,031,390 $ 127,945,045 $ 140,902,128 $ 159,498,286 $ 160,629,383 $ 184,885,657 $ Change in Net Position Governmental activities 15,254,532 $ 9,133,136 $ 12,974,898 $ 15,055,158 $ 20,056,915 $ 24,881,656 $ 41,603,526 $ 53,509,043 $ 49,047,977 $ 68,190,514 $ Business-type activities 1,686,691 20,397,100 16,783,520 15,645,417 7,575,827 10,083,570 12,741,888 11,372,507 7,554,851 14,548,262 Total primary government 16,941,223 $ 29,530,236 $ 29,758,418 $ 30,700,575 $ 27,632,742 $ 34,965,226 $ 54,345,414 $ 64,881,550 $ 56,602,828 $ 82,738,776 $ For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, Columbia County, Georgia Changes in Net Position (Continued) Last Ten Fiscal Years (accrual basis of accounting) 175 ---PAGE BREAK--- 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 General fund Nonspendable 7,586,245 $ 7,531,652 $ 5,097,413 $ 5,119,956 $ 5,060,518 $ 5,080,455 $ 5,060,197 $ 4,979,031 $ 4,970,862 $ 4,956,220 $ Assigned 4,000,000 4,000,000 4,000,000 4,000,000 4,000,000 2,500,000 2,500,000 2,500,000 2,500,000 2,500,000 Unassigned 24,160,906 27,110,368 31,620,258 33,583,402 38,798,433 40,356,037 38,479,211 50,784,752 53,103,615 44,404,434 Total general fund 35,747,151 $ 38,642,020 $ 40,717,671 $ 42,703,358 $ 47,858,951 $ 47,936,492 $ 46,039,408 $ 58,263,783 $ 60,574,477 $ 51,860,654 $ All other governmental funds Nonspendable 17,970 $ 19,935 $ 36,850 $ 35,730 $ 1,679,692 $ 41,069 $ 37,074 $ 39,786 $ 40,533 $ 43,314 $ Restricted 52,834,657 49,700,194 62,055,673 124,706,086 120,879,700 104,183,346 89,370,112 101,777,291 115,679,190 128,799,868 Committed 2,207,211 1,616,606 1,724,867 2,571,910 3,098,291 2,026,965 5,289,840 2,658,494 2,880,438 3,673,465 Assigned - 993,924 2,488,159 3,485,273 3,247,067 11,508,861 25,748,134 16,536,991 25,756,507 39,508,177 Unassigned (1,737,744) (942,680) (65,227) (343,103) (75,705) - (174,674) (2,225) (2,096,150) (2,862,282) Total all other governmental funds 53,322,094 $ 51,387,979 $ 66,240,322 $ 130,455,896 $ 128,829,045 $ 117,760,241 $ 120,270,486 $ 121,010,337 $ 142,260,518 $ 169,162,542 $ Total all governmental funds 89,069,245 $ 90,029,999 $ 106,957,993 $ 173,159,254 $ 176,687,996 $ 165,696,733 $ 166,309,894 $ 179,274,120 $ 202,834,995 $ 221,023,196 $ Information concerning the fund balance of the General Fund is included in Management's Discussion and Analysis. The increase in nonspendable during FY 2018 is due to the prepayment of interest in debt service funds. Assigned fund balance for other governmental funds is proceeds set aside from the Title Ad Valorem Tax to be used for capital projects. The decrease in restricted fund balance during FY 2015 and FYs 2018 - 2020 was due to the expenditure of proceeds for capital projects. The increase in restricted fund balance during FYs 2016 and 2017 was due to the proceeds from the issuance of general obligation bonds. The increase in FYs 2021 - 2023 was due to the timing of the collection of grant and splost proceeds as compared to project expenditures. Fiscal Year Ended June 30, Columbia County, Georgia Fund Balances of Governmental Funds Last Ten Fiscal Years (modified accrual basis of accounting) 176 ---PAGE BREAK--- 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Revenues Taxes 88,376,751 $ 91,873,725 $ 94,952,781 $ 99,493,894 $ 112,312,437 $ 123,072,260 $ 136,679,575 $ 157,680,890 $ 163,036,405 $ 180,648,840 $ Licenses and permits 2,014,388 2,039,101 2,147,916 2,549,319 2,605,790 2,171,782 2,514,995 2,979,357 2,927,790 2,329,691 Charges for services 9,092,695 9,277,792 9,298,749 9,817,341 9,607,838 10,396,729 10,479,678 11,486,591 12,126,102 12,144,654 Intergovernmental 11,321,348 4,579,748 5,533,601 9,497,948 6,928,699 6,733,511 11,557,365 7,536,961 8,808,091 11,291,391 Fines and forfeitures 2,352,113 2,345,613 2,117,903 2,109,997 3,514,853 2,079,645 1,765,163 1,942,714 1,936,425 2,511,134 Investment income 875,030 621,100 781,692 815,550 1,407,524 2,777,789 2,025,169 287,874 (2,575,469) 4,217,438 Contributions and donations 260,561 512,765 729,735 1,859,863 246,236 262,368 468,799 247,795 269,237 473,616 Other 752,591 894,964 1,135,029 1,047,307 1,290,587 1,177,218 1,119,857 1,466,371 1,543,662 1,560,114 Total revenues 115,045,477 112,144,808 116,697,406 127,191,219 137,913,964 148,671,302 166,610,601 183,628,553 188,072,243 215,176,878 Expenditures General government 29,285,343 13,798,527 16,683,372 14,822,878 15,574,388 15,631,115 15,800,164 18,099,981 19,901,205 20,303,353 Judicial system 6,358,569 6,445,833 6,591,265 6,815,959 7,040,890 7,338,036 7,739,041 7,560,811 7,896,449 9,017,837 Public safety 38,527,732 40,143,916 41,142,284 42,944,957 44,678,766 46,920,589 49,347,291 50,709,104 56,296,424 57,337,342 Public works 9,684,889 11,852,353 12,224,399 14,195,994 14,390,234 14,405,121 14,238,191 15,539,981 16,699,465 17,931,151 Health and welfare 1,416,718 1,400,141 1,344,856 1,387,633 1,429,012 1,487,789 1,053,930 1,116,052 1,242,775 1,288,272 Culture and recreation 4,162,755 4,954,652 5,446,030 6,398,601 6,738,595 6,831,248 7,488,691 7,961,190 9,255,595 10,177,779 Housing and development 3,466,913 3,977,732 4,154,917 4,655,936 5,295,034 6,065,083 6,727,752 6,201,320 6,179,715 6,701,687 Intergovernmental 1,648,873 1,763,880 1,777,730 2,134,471 1,520,311 1,658,292 1,844,186 3,130,573 3,115,725 4,161,830 Capital outlay 15,505,725 11,829,256 11,481,034 21,240,451 23,245,494 41,580,622 49,282,095 49,781,407 33,383,823 50,450,435 Debt service Principal 10,970,000 11,900,000 12,865,000 28,200,000 9,560,000 11,980,000 6,520,000 6,785,000 7,319,099 8,686,686 Interest 3,405,775 2,935,025 2,870,597 2,439,709 3,750,622 5,474,664 3,548,897 3,281,930 2,062,037 2,252,240 Other 2,200 2,200 350,805 1,010,932 2,050 1,950 2,950 3,350 511,100 2,700 Total expenditures 124,435,492 111,003,515 116,932,289 146,247,521 133,225,396 159,374,509 163,593,188 170,170,699 163,863,412 188,311,312 Excess of revenues over (under) expenditures (9,390,015) 1,141,293 (234,883) (19,056,302) 4,688,568 (10,703,207) 3,017,413 13,457,854 24,208,831 26,865,566 Other financing sources (uses) Sale of property 130,889 44,982 44,898 100,326 4,953 20,486 17,489 27,696 26,433 1,232 Leases and SBITAs issued - - - - - - - - 1,001,088 121,505 Transfers in 22,262,908 19,418,412 19,724,970 15,010,059 26,778,925 25,413,050 29,710,412 26,271,821 21,414,137 28,621,381 Transfers out (22,090,229) (19,643,933) (20,026,858) (15,174,509) (27,943,704) (25,721,592) (32,132,153) (26,793,145) (23,613,280) (37,421,483) Payment to refunded bond escrow agent - - - (11,307,287) - - - - (44,466,334) - Proceeds from refunding bonds - - - 25,830,000 - - - - 44,990,000 - Proceeds from debt issuance - - 15,000,000 60,000,000 - - - - - - Proceeds from bond premium - - 2,419,867 10,798,974 - - - - - - Total other financing sources (uses) 303,568 (180,539) 17,162,877 85,257,563 (1,159,826) (288,056) (2,404,252) (493,628) (647,956) (8,677,365) Net change in fund balances (9,086,447) $ 960,754 $ 16,927,994 $ 66,201,261 $ 3,528,742 $ (10,991,263) $ 613,161 $ 12,964,226 $ 23,560,875 $ 18,188,201 $ Debt service as a percentage of noncapital expenditures 15.47% 16.89% 15.09% 23.12% 11.97% 12.97% 8.97% 8.44% 7.36% 8.03% Note: 2017 debt service includes refunding of outstanding general obligation bonds in the amount of $25.290 million. For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, Columbia County, Georgia Changes in Fund Balances of Governmental Funds Last Ten Fiscal Years (modified accrual basis of accounting) 177 ---PAGE BREAK--- Taxable Calendar Less: Taxable Less: Taxable Total Estimated Assessed Value Year of Real Personal Motor Mobile Public Gross Operating Assessed Debt Service Assessed Direct Actual as a Percentage of Levy Property Property Vehicle Homes Utilities Digest Exemptions Value - M & O Exemptions Value - Bond Tax Rate Taxable Value Actual Value 2014 4,034,544,087 414,959,242 344,607,150 8,365,624 75,092,699 4,877,568,802 (422,953,583) 4,454,615,219 (389,601,583) 4,487,967,219 8.637 12,193,922,005 40% 2015 4,281,906,882 396,077,187 249,235,870 8,586,697 75,963,445 5,011,770,081 (443,109,297) 4,568,660,784 (405,347,297) 4,606,422,784 8.637 12,529,425,203 40% 2016 4,505,197,397 388,372,831 187,278,900 8,561,448 80,787,300 5,170,197,876 (458,018,672) 4,712,179,204 (420,744,672) 4,749,453,204 8.637 12,925,494,690 40% 2017 4,838,174,287 370,091,398 138,118,220 8,398,916 84,551,422 5,439,334,243 (437,441,827) 5,001,892,416 (399,973,827) 5,039,360,416 9.637 13,598,335,608 40% 2018 5,131,531,249 431,064,013 105,681,360 8,195,396 87,928,437 5,764,400,455 (510,159,750) 5,254,240,705 (472,455,750) 5,291,944,705 9.539 14,411,001,138 40% 2019 5,440,583,928 458,052,891 85,807,370 8,611,755 92,778,746 6,085,834,690 (549,160,657) 5,536,674,033 (511,348,739) 5,574,485,951 9.447 15,214,586,725 40% 2020 5,784,521,800 448,288,708 81,900,920 8,432,549 100,742,399 6,423,886,376 (559,905,315) 5,863,981,061 (522,358,232) 5,901,528,144 9.447 16,059,715,940 40% 2021 6,252,430,918 429,260,301 59,095,520 8,618,850 100,867,583 6,850,273,172 (597,157,207) 6,253,115,965 (551,797,630) 6,298,475,542 9.071 17,125,682,930 40% 2022 7,170,039,666 547,790,678 53,868,880 10,670,332 100,867,583 7,883,237,139 (656,260,523) 7,226,976,616 (610,461,744) 7,272,775,395 8.618 19,708,092,848 40% 2023 8,161,352,377 640,675,087 54,095,120 12,251,800 106,259,924 8,974,634,308 (770,634,520) 8,203,999,788 (724,485,967) 8,250,148,341 8.242 22,436,585,770 40% SOURCE: Tax Commissioner's Office NOTES: Includes assessed value of timber. Columbia County, Georgia Assessed Value and Estimated Actual Value of Taxable Property Last Ten Calendar Years Property in the County is reassessed annually. In accordance with Georgia law, property, other than timber, is assessed at approximately 40% of actual value. Estimated actual taxable value is calculated by dividing Gross Digest value by 40%. Tax rates are per $1,000 of taxable assessed value. Taxes levied are based on a calendar year which does not coincide with the County's fiscal year. 178 ---PAGE BREAK--- Collections in Calendar Total Percentage Subsequent Percentage Year Tax Levy Amount of Levy Years Amount of Levy 2014 34,459,145 33,144,316 96.18% 1,314,473 34,458,789 100.00% 2015 36,411,169 35,003,408 96.13% 1,407,400 36,410,808 100.00% 2016 38,318,550 37,099,467 96.82% 1,218,723 38,318,190 100.00% 2017 45,925,058 43,893,388 95.58% 2,031,396 45,924,785 100.00% 2018 47,971,325 47,084,573 98.15% 886,414 47,970,987 100.00% 2019 50,175,345 47,095,488 93.86% 3,078,771 50,174,259 100.00% 2020 53,224,755 49,343,902 92.71% 3,878,284 53,222,186 100.00% 2021 54,827,119 51,187,005 93.36% 3,627,149 54,814,154 99.98% 2022 60,132,875 55,918,239 92.99% 4,130,446 60,048,685 99.86% 2023 61,798,469 57,304,430 92.73% - 57,304,430 92.73% SOURCE: Tax Commissioner's Office Notes: Property tax levies are based on a calendar year which does not coincide with the County's fiscal year. Amounts include taxes levied and collected for the Columbia County Board of Commissioners: County Bond, County Tax, & County Fire Tax. Total County Tax Collections are as of November 21, 2023. 2023 Property Tax due date was November 15, 2023. Total County Tax Levy is for real and personal property only and includes all adjustments made to original approved digest as of November 21, 2023. Columbia County, Georgia Property Tax Levies and Collections Last Ten Calendar Years Collected within the Calendar Year of Levy Total Collections to Date 179 ---PAGE BREAK--- County Direct Rates State Calendar Debt Total County Debt Total Harlem Grovetown State of Year Operating Service Fire Direct Operating Service School Operating Operating Georgia 2014 6.402 0.154 2.081 8.637 18.590 0.000 18.590 7.350 7.000 0.100 2015 6.402 0.154 2.081 8.637 18.300 0.000 18.300 8.350 7.000 0.050 2016 6.349 0.207 2.081 8.637 18.300 0.000 18.300 9.350 6.900 0.000 2017 6.189 1.207 2.241 9.637 18.300 0.000 18.300 9.350 6.900 0.000 2018 6.091 1.207 2.241 9.539 18.300 0.000 18.300 9.350 8.000 0.000 2019 5.999 0.890 2.558 9.447 18.300 0.000 18.300 9.350 7.876 0.000 2020 5.999 0.840 2.608 9.447 18.300 0.000 18.300 9.350 7.620 0.000 2021 5.683 0.780 2.608 9.071 18.100 0.000 18.100 9.350 7.620 0.000 2022 5.147 0.683 2.788 8.618 17.350 0.000 17.350 9.350 7.620 0.000 2023 4.895 0.559 2.788 8.242 17.200 0.000 17.200 9.350 7.620 0.000 SOURCE: Tax Commissioner's Office NOTES: Property tax levies are based on a calendar year which does not coincide with the County's fiscal year. County fire millage rate applies only to property located within the unincorporated areas of the County does not apply to County property located within the geographic boundaries of the cities). Rates for debt service are adjusted each year based on that year's debt service requirements. Overlapping rates are those of local, county, and state governments that apply to property owners within Columbia County, Georgia. Not all overlapping rates apply to County property owners; for example, the city tax rates apply only to County property owners whose property is located within that city's geographic boundaries. School District Cities Columbia County, Georgia Property Tax Rates Direct and Overlapping Governments Last Ten Calendar Years (rate per $1,000 of taxable assessed value) Overlapping Rates 180 ---PAGE BREAK--- Percentage of Percentage of Taxable Total Taxable Taxable Total Taxable Assessed Assessed Assessed Assessed TAXPAYER Value Rank Value Value Rank Value AMAZON.COM SERVICES LLC 121,569,107 $ 1 1.48% - $ 0.00% GEORGIA POWER CO 71,945,608 2 0.88% 48,286,456 1 1.08% JOHN DEERE 32,307,252 3 0.39% 35,079,314 2 0.79% GEORGIA IRON WORKS 30,515,353 4 0.37% 11,197,155 7 0.25% CX STATION AT BRIGHTON DST 24,827,366 5 0.30% - 0.00% - AUGUSTA LLC 23,920,355 6 0.29% - 0.00% LCS BRANDON WILDE LLC 22,676,497 7 0.28% - 0.00% CLUB CAR LLC 21,075,308 8 0.26% 14,074,410 6 0.32% GRAND OAK RIVER ISLAND LLC 20,742,563 9 0.25% - 0.00% POLLARD LAND COMPANY 19,936,891 10 0.24% 14,461,861 5 0.32% QUAD GRAPHICS (QUEBECOR) 26,937,908 3 0.60% WAL-MART 24,355,007 4 0.55% INLAND DIVERSIFIED EVANS 10,029,602 8 0.23% AVR AUGUSTA LLC 9,870,966 9 0.22% BELL SOUTH TELECOMMUNICATIONS 8,516,210 10 0.19% Total 389,516,300 $ 4.75% 202,808,889 $ 4.55% Total taxable assessed value 8,203,999,788 $ 4,454,615,219 $ SOURCE: Tax Commissioner's Office Columbia County, Georgia Principal Property Tax Payers Current Year and Nine Years Ago 2023 2014 181 ---PAGE BREAK--- Food Service Home Calendar Drinking General Furnishings/ Other Total Direct Year Accommodations Auto Construction Establishments Merchandise Appliances Manufacturing Retail Utility Wholesale Services Total Sales Tax Rate 2013 10,862 121,641 9,628 370,894 309,425 193,363 86,146 209,385 138,708 214,654 158,216 1,822,922 2% 2014 11,830 54,853 13,197 401,927 314,804 202,253 103,042 230,181 158,178 233,594 173,472 1,897,331 2% 2015 11,748 61,298 14,040 417,083 332,502 209,445 107,927 231,770 165,155 205,261 177,958 1,934,189 2% 2016 14,162 65,198 10,658 438,191 297,225 227,202 117,209 233,988 158,605 195,275 224,505 1,982,220 2% 2017 17,320 68,583 10,911 458,446 306,664 237,930 112,350 242,355 151,960 201,233 222,517 2,030,267 2% 2018 18,184 72,372 8,626 467,925 317,656 244,229 101,238 259,144 160,767 219,419 281,916 2,151,477 2% 2019 16,978 78,079 11,780 496,532 395,223 245,358 111,299 291,064 169,858 244,899 282,898 2,343,966 2% 2020 13,749 86,648 26,939 553,319 659,749 296,292 132,453 422,351 168,149 227,620 301,768 2,889,037 2% 2021 19,648 98,379 27,832 634,051 479,720 327,217 172,179 545,894 176,588 286,270 346,262 3,114,040 2% 2022 23,299 112,920 15,453 689,722 505,597 353,520 174,427 633,551 189,338 339,393 376,914 3,414,133 2% SOURCE: Georgia Department of Revenue (in thousands) Columbia County, Georgia Taxable Sales by Category Last Ten Calendar Years 182 ---PAGE BREAK--- Special Purpose Local Local Regional Calendar Option Option Total County School State of Transportation Year Sales Tax Sales Tax Direct District Georgia Sales Tax 2013 1% 1% 2% 1% 4% 0% 2014 1% 1% 2% 1% 4% 0% 2015 1% 1% 2% 1% 4% 0% 2016 1% 1% 2% 1% 4% 1% 2017 1% 1% 2% 1% 4% 1% 2018 1% 1% 2% 1% 4% 1% 2019 1% 1% 2% 1% 4% 1% 2020 1% 1% 2% 1% 4% 1% 2021 1% 1% 2% 1% 4% 1% 2022 1% 1% 2% 1% 4% 1% NOTES: The Cities of Harlem and Grovetown entered into an intergovernmental agreement with the County for the distribution of the proceeds of the 1% Local Options Sales Tax for the period of January 2023 through December 2032. A Certificate of Distribution has been filed with the Georgia Department of Revenue. Proceeds of the 1% LOST shall be distributed as follows: County, 86.50%; Harlem, 2.50%; Grovetown, 11.00%. County Direct Rates Overlapping Rates The Cities of Harlem and Grovetown entered into intergovernmental agreements with the County for the distribution of proceeds from the 1% Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax for the period of January 2023 through December 2028. The County shall receive the first $28.114 million of the SPLOST proceeds and then shall distribute from the remaining proceeds received by the County an amount equal to 3.0% to the City of Harlem and amount equal to 10.0% to the City of Grovetown. Columbia County, Georgia Sales Tax Rates Direct and Overlapping Governments Last Ten Calendar Years 183 ---PAGE BREAK--- Number of Percentage Tax Percentage of Number of Percentage Tax Percentage of Filers of Total Liability Total Filers of Total Liability Total Food Services not available not available 5,389,439 $ 20.49% not available not available 4,019,272 $ 21.18% General Merchandise not available not available 3,919,881 14.90% not available not available 3,148,041 16.59% Automotive not available not available 908,703 3.45% not available not available 548,530 2.89% Home Furnishings not available not available 2,284,294 8.68% not available not available 2,022,527 10.66% Building Materials not available not available 97,859 0.37% not available not available 131,970 0.70% Miscellaneous Services not available not available 1,656,664 6.30% not available not available 1,270,078 6.69% Manufacturers not available not available 1,212,526 4.61% not available not available 1,030,422 5.43% Utilities not available not available 1,530,589 5.82% not available not available 1,581,785 8.34% Wholesale not available not available 2,687,958 10.22% not available not available 2,335,935 12.31% Other not available not available 6,616,853 25.15% not available not available 2,884,755 15.20% Total 26,304,766 $ 100.00% 18,973,315 $ 100.00% SOURCE: Georgia Department of Revenue NOTES: 2. Calendar year 2023 is for the months of January through September. 3. The Georgia Department of Revenue could not provide the number of filers within each industry category. An attempt will be made to obtain this information for future years. 1. Due to confidentiality issues, the names of the ten largest revenue payers are not available. The categories presented are intended to provide alternative information regarding the sources of the County's revenue. Columbia County, Georgia Sales Tax Revenue Payers by Industry Current Year and Nine Years Ago 2023 2014 184 ---PAGE BREAK--- Business-Type Activities General Water/Sewer Total Percentage Fiscal Obligation Revenue Primary of Personal Per Year Bonds Leases/SBITAs Bonds Leases/SBITAs Government Income(a) Capita(a) 2014 65,374,342 2,844,458 82,444,378 - 150,663,178 2.65% 1,113 2015 52,869,951 2,526,731 79,020,581 - 134,417,263 2.25% 965 2016 56,684,125 2,198,868 75,471,784 - 134,354,777 2.11% 933 2017 113,055,929 2,813,370 73,444,190 - 189,313,489 2.80% 1,284 2018 102,653,497 2,741,229 69,923,215 - 175,317,941 2.41% 1,157 2019 89,831,065 2,098,362 66,100,202 - 158,029,629 2.07% 1,024 2020 82,468,633 1,442,557 61,814,979 - 145,726,169 1.82% 930 2021 74,841,201 773,400 57,312,708 - 132,927,309 1.52% 852 2022 67,740,846 1,070,660 52,630,437 49,346 121,491,289 1.31% 761 2023 59,067,662 401,560 47,773,166 59,328 107,301,716 1.10% 661 Note: Details regarding the County's outstanding debt can be found in the notes to the financial statements. See Schedule of Demographic and Economic Statistics for personal income and population data. Columbia County, Georgia Ratios of Outstanding Debt by Type Last Ten Fiscal Years Governmental Activities 185 ---PAGE BREAK--- Percentage of Resources Net Estimated Total Debt General Restricted to General Actual Taxable Legal Total Debt Legal Applicable to Debt Fiscal Obligation Repaying Obligation Value of Per Debt Applicable To Debt Limit as Percentage Year Bonds Principal Bonds Property(a) Capita(b) Limit( c) Debt Limit Margin(d) of Debt Limit 2014 65,374,342 9,311,814 56,062,528 0.46% 414 448,796,722 56,062,528 392,734,194 12.49% 2015 52,869,951 9,001,370 43,868,581 0.35% 315 460,642,278 43,868,581 416,773,697 9.52% 2016 56,684,125 9,805,370 46,878,755 0.36% 325 474,945,320 46,878,755 428,066,565 9.87% 2017 113,055,929 3,084,684 109,971,245 0.81% 746 503,936,042 109,971,245 393,964,797 21.82% 2018 102,653,497 3,138,745 99,514,752 0.69% 657 529,194,471 99,514,752 429,679,719 18.80% 2019 89,831,065 3,500,985 86,330,080 0.57% 560 557,448,595 86,330,080 471,118,515 15.49% 2020 82,468,633 3,335,383 79,133,250 0.49% 505 590,152,814 79,133,250 511,019,564 13.41% 2021 74,841,201 3,669,083 71,172,118 0.42% 456 629,847,554 71,172,118 558,675,436 11.30% 2022 67,740,846 4,891,032 62,849,814 0.32% 394 727,277,540 62,849,814 664,427,726 8.64% 2023 59,067,662 49,160 59,018,502 0.26% 363 825,014,834 59,018,502 765,996,332 7.15% Note: Details regarding the County's outstanding debt can be found in the notes to the financial statements. (a)See Schedule of Assessed Value and Estimated Actual Value of Taxable Property for property value data. (b)See Schedule of Demographic and Economic Statistics for population data. (c)State finance statutes limit the County's outstanding general debt to no more than 10% of the net assessed value of property applicable to debt service. (d)The legal debt margin is the County's available borrowing authority under state finance statutes and is calculated by subtracting the total debt applicable to the legal debt limit from the legal debt limit. Taxable assessed value - Bond Digest 8,250,148,341 $ Legal debt limit - 10% 825,014,834 Debt applicable to debt limit 59,018,502 Legal debt margin 765,996,332 $ Legal Debt Margin Calculation for Fiscal Year 2023 Columbia County, Georgia Ratios of General Bonded Debt Outstanding and Legal Debt Margin Last Ten Fiscal Years 186 ---PAGE BREAK--- Estimated Estimated Share of Debt Percentage Overlapping Governmental Unit Outstanding Applicable(b) Debt Columbia County Board of Education 155,540,000 $ 100% 155,540,000 $ Subtotal, overlapping debt 155,540,000 Columbia County direct debt 59,469,222 Total direct and overlapping debt 215,009,222 $ Columbia County, Georgia Data provided by Columbia County Board of Education Finance Office. Debt repaid with education special purpose local option sales tax. (b)The percentage of overlapping debt applicable is based on the share of taxable sales for sales taxes. Since the Columbia County Board of Education and the Columbia County government occupy the same geographic boundaries and all taxable sales are equally applied to both the BOE and the County in determining sales tax distributions, the overlap percentage is 100%. Note: Overlapping governments are those that coincide, at least in part, with the geographic boundaries of the County. This schedule estimates the portion of the outstanding debt of those overlapping governments that is borne by residents and businesses of Columbia County, Georgia. This process recognizes that, when considering the government's ability to issue and repay long-term debt, the entire debt burden borne by residents and businesses should be taken into account. However, this does not imply that every taxpayer is a resident, and therefore responsible for repaying the debt of each overlapping government. As of June 30, 2022 Direct and Overlapping Governmental Activities Debt (c)The Cities of Harlem and Grovetown have no outstanding governmental activity debt. 187 ---PAGE BREAK--- Less: Net Fiscal Operating Operating Available Year Revenues Expenses Revenue Principal Interest Coverage 2014 31,890,265 14,677,933 17,212,332 4,200,000 3,653,337 2.19 2015 32,798,409 17,073,709 15,724,700 3,050,000 3,339,082 2.46 2016 35,373,521 18,462,444 16,911,077 3,175,000 3,208,930 2.65 2017 36,305,066 18,238,734 18,066,332 3,140,000 3,113,878 2.89 2018 35,524,304 19,405,909 16,118,395 3,260,000 1,977,553 3.08 2019 37,739,594 19,647,351 18,092,243 3,750,000 1,863,347 3.22 2020 39,197,246 21,921,570 17,275,676 3,950,000 1,987,627 2.91 2021 38,992,779 21,139,850 17,852,929 3,800,000 2,456,794 2.85 2022 37,759,711 23,047,086 14,712,625 3,980,000 2,262,035 2.36 2023 38,393,722 25,346,340 13,047,382 4,155,000 2,091,911 2.09 Notes: Details regarding the County's outstanding debt can be found in the notes to the financial statements. Operating expenses do not include interest, depreciation, or amortization expense. Operating revenues include interest earned on operating funds and lease revenue. Last Ten Fiscal Years Pledged-Revenue Coverage Columbia County, Georgia Debt Service Water and Sewerage Revenue Bonds 188 ---PAGE BREAK--- Personal Per Income Capita Calendar (amounts in Personal School Unemployment Year Population thousands) Income Enrollment Rate 2013 135,416 5,685,349 41,984 24,803 6.40% 2014 139,257 5,976,392 42,916 25,973 5.80% 2015 144,052 6,374,345 44,250 26,756 5.10% 2016 147,450 6,769,192 45,908 27,138 4.70% 2017 151,579 7,277,164 48,009 27,748 4.20% 2018 154,291 7,633,192 49,473 28,321 3.50% 2019 156,714 8,021,273 51,184 28,328 3.10% 2020 156,010 8,766,766 56,194 28,717 4.20% 2021 159,639 9,297,756 58,242 29,052 2.70% 2022 162,419 9,762,644 60,108 28,882 2.80% Sources: Georgia Department of Labor School enrollment provided by Columbia County Board of Education as of September 22, 2023. Last Ten Calendar Years Demographic and Economic Statistics Columbia County, Georgia 189 ---PAGE BREAK--- Percentage of Percentage of Total County Total County Industry Employees Rank Employment Employees Rank Employment Retail Trade 2,023 1 6.95% 4,867 1 18.83% Accommodation and Food Services 5,208 2 17.89% 3,761 2 14.55% Health Care and Social Assistance 4,917 3 16.89% 3,228 3 12.49% Manufacturing 3,273 4 11.24% 2,714 4 10.50% Administrative and Support and Waste Manageme 3,135 5 10.77% 2,299 5 8.89% Construction 2,882 6 9.90% 1,907 6 7.38% Public Administration 1,840 7 6.32% 1,284 8 4.97% Professional, Scientific, and Technical Servi 1,390 8 4.78% 1,423 7 5.51% Other Services (except Public Administration) 1,348 9 4.63% 1,050 9 4.06% Finance and Insurance 708 10 2.43% 996 10 3.85% Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 686 11 2.36% 305 16 1.18% Transportation and Warehousing 520 12 1.79% 338 14 1.31% Wholesale Trade 519 13 1.78% 481 12 1.86% Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 293 14 1.01% 524 11 2.03% Information 208 15 0.71% 349 13 1.35% Management of Companies and Enterprises 159 16 0.55% 322 15 1.25% Total 29,109 100.00% 25,848 100.00% Source: Georgia Department of Labor Note: Due to confidentiality issues, the number of employees of specific employers cannot be obtained. The categories presented are intended to provide alternative information regarding the County's employment base. Columbia County, Georgia 2023 2013 Current Year and Nine Years Ago Principal Employers 190 ---PAGE BREAK--- Function 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 General government 156 148 140 145 142 146 143 147 149 150 Judicial system 68 69 68 70 70 72 70 97 110 114 Public safety 547 551 551 563 563 591 595 604 610 622 Public works 110 133 141 139 161 152 163 176 184 195 Health and welfare 22 15 16 16 16 12 12 12 12 11 Culture and recreation 57 86 95 101 101 117 120 121 123 131 Housing and development 47 51 56 57 57 57 59 60 68 69 Water and sewer 136 132 144 155 155 160 168 177 183 191 Storm water 22 31 36 37 40 48 47 51 51 51 Solid waste management 2 8 7 11 11 12 7 7 7 7 Rental facilities 6 8 7 7 7 7 8 14 15 15 Communications utility 3 4 4 5 5 7 7 7 8 9 Total 1176 1236 1265 1306 1328 1381 1399 1473 1520 1565 Source: Columbia County Human Resources Office Full-time Equivalent Positions as of June 30, Last Ten Fiscal Years Full-time Equivalent County Government Positions by Function Columbia County, Georgia 191 ---PAGE BREAK--- 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Function General government Number of Registered Voters 90,900 92,182 96,682 94,457 102,307 109,938 111,652 120,858 119,360 125,065 Personal Property Accounts 12,014 12,477 12,941 14,917 16,909 12,738 11,900 13,184 12,668 13,055 Judicial system Number of Gun Permits 2,685 2,987 4,085 3,842 3,953 3,509 4,114 7,388 3,907 2,737 Number of Marriage Licenses 999 1,074 1,351 1,779 1,745 1,672 1,729 1,704 1,795 1,683 Public safety Animal Adoptions [PHONE REDACTED] 1192 1,324 1,329 800 752 792 991 Number of Prisoners Processed 4,010 3,587 3,568 3,789 4,040 4,444 3,404 2,602 3,111 4,759 Public works Potholes Repaired 547 519 747 479 580 655 669 674 641 644 Road Signs Replaced 187 202 234 278 316 443 646 804 424 344 Health and welfare Home Delivered Meals 37,050 37,459 32,508 31,264 31,547 29,948 28,522 15,423 31,778 43,276 Congregate Meals Served 8,645 8,190 6,450 9,633 10,474 9,060 5,933 1,268 7,845 10,158 Culture and recreation Library Book Circulation 563,940 551,924 554,074 565,697 571,553 642,259 408,325 315,777 618,399 740,801 Library Collection Size 200,254 209,252 181,700 190,066 186,991 194,346 233,553 211,180 212,855 220,677 Recreation Youth Sports Participation 3,895 4,295 4,958 6,329 5,288 5,065 6,413 4,866 7,563 8,295 Housing and development Number of Single Family Building Permits 1,040 1,252 1,043 1,064 867 705 832 984 956 631 Number of Burn Permits 13,812 12,173 12,919 10,600 11,399 10,627 12,037 12,400 135 162 Water Daily Water Treatment Production Capacity in gallons 53,400,000 53,900,000 53,900,000 53,900,000 53,900,000 53,900,000 53,900,000 53,900,000 53,900,000 54,000,000 Number of Accounts 41,490 42,945 43,461 44,814 45,741 46,646 47,508 48,548 52,390 53,043 Sewer Maximum Daily Capacity of Treatment Plant in gallons 12,500,000 12,400,000 12,400,000 12,400,000 12,400,000 12,400,000 12,400,000 12,400,000 12,650,000 13,000,000 Number of Accounts 33,988 35,320 35,934 36,863 37,879 38,669 39,397 40,237 42,725 43,209 Solid waste management Number of Ground Water Monitoring Wells 35 35 36 36 40 38 39 39 39 39 Source: Various County departments Last Ten Fiscal Years Operating Indicators by Function Columbia County, Georgia For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 192 ---PAGE BREAK--- Function 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 General government County office buildings 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 Public safety Patrol vehicles 194 207 215 223 239 262 270 283 269 284 Fire stations 17 17 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 Public works Miles of County maintained roads 729 729 729 729 729 806 812 814 816 812 Miles of road resurfacing 8.39 7.16 7.03 3.67 4.5 1.3 7.5 42.48 22.9 23 Health and welfare Transit operating vans 9 9 10 10 11 11 11 11 11 11 Culture and recreation Park acreage 1,413 1,413 1463 1463 1463 1463 1528 1528 1528 1537 Parks 12 12 12 12 12 12 14 14 14 15 Community centers 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 Water and sewer Donated subdivisions 18 29 34 26 21 18 30 17 15 16 Water treatment plants 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Waste water treatment plants 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 Storm water Donated subdivisions 15 25 32 20 16 9 12 12 14 10 Solid waste management Authorized vehicles and heavy equipment 7 7 9 6 5 5 6 6 6 6 Source: Various County departments Note: No capital asset indicators are available for the judicial system and housing and development. Columbia County, Georgia Capital Asset Statistics by Function Last Ten Fiscal Years 193 ---PAGE BREAK--- REVENUE BONDS DISCLOSURE 194 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA Water and Sewerage Revenue Bonds Continuing Disclosure Water and Sewer Rates The following water and sewer rates have been in effect since July 1, 2023. Per 1,000 Per 1,000 Base gallons Base gallons < 10,000 12.31 $ 2.42 $ 15.67 $ 2.74 $ ≥10,000 12.31 $ 3.36 ≥20,000 12.31 $ 4.89 ≥40,000 12.31 $ 6.64 Per 1,000 Per 1,000 Water Tap Size Base gallons Base gallons 3/4 & 1.0" 21.00 $ 2.44 $ 25.27 $ 2.78 $ 1.5" 47.24 2.44 $ 56.87 2.78 $ 2.0' 83.79 2.44 $ 101.07 2.78 $ 3.0" 188.98 2.44 $ 227.39 2.78 $ 4.0" 336.00 2.44 $ 404.31 2.78 $ 6.0" 755.16 2.44 $ 914.74 2.78 $ 8.0" 1,347.04 2.44 $ 1,539.54 2.78 $ Residential Rates water tap size < = 1" levelized winter billing Amount in gallons Commercial Rates Water Sewer Water Sewer Source: Columbia County Water and Sewer Services Division. Tap and Connection Charges Tap Categories A Developer installs main & taps B County installed taps *Columbia County does not install Commercial Taps. The developer must hire a licensed utility contractor to install the tap. 195 ---PAGE BREAK--- Residential Tap Fees Size Category Water Sewer 3/4" A $1,250 $1,000 B $2,750 $4,750 1" A $1,500 $1,000 B $3,000 $4,750 Commercial Tap Fees Size Category Water Sewer 3/4" A $715 $1,000 1" A $1,250 $1,800 1 1/2" A $4,500 $6,800 2" A $8,000 $13,000 3" A $18,000 $30,000 4" A $35,000 $55,000 6" Standard Meter A $75,000 $120,000 6" Domestic/Fire Line A $80,000 $120,000 8" Standard Meter A $140,000 $230,000 8" Domestic/Fire Line A $145,000 $230,000 Source: Columbia County Water and Sewer Services Division. 196 ---PAGE BREAK--- Top Ten Customers The following table shows the ten largest users of the System and the revenues derived from such customers for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023. % of Total Total Operating User Business Revenues Revenues City of Grovetown Municipality $786,233 2.03% Columbia County Board of Education Education 349,557 0.90% Columbia County Board of Commissioners Government 260,704 0.67% Brandon Wilde Retirement Community 133,914 0.35% Ansley Apartment Complex 109,521 0.28% Shenandoah Ridge Apartment Complex 94,850 0.24% BSFR Prop Management Rental Properties 85,603 0.22% Arrowwood Mobile Home Park Mobile Home Park 82,704 0.21% RK Riverstone Master Tenant, LLC Apartment Complex 76,958 0.20% CX Station at Brighton Lease Company, LLCApartment Complex 75,864 0.20% $2,055,908 5.30% Top Ten Customers Based upon total fiscal year 2023 operating revenues of $38,731,227. Source: Columbia County Water and Sewer Services Division. Total Customers Water and Sewerage Customers Year Water Sewer 2019 46,646 38,669 2020 47,508 39,397 2021 48,548 40,237 2022 52,390 42,725 2023 53,043 43,209 The total number of accounts as of June 30, 2023, was 53,066, consisting of water only, sewer only, and water/sewer accounts. Source: Columbia County Water and Sewer Services Division. 197 ---PAGE BREAK--- Historical Water and Wastewater Demand Set forth below are water and wastewater demand statistics for the past four calendar years and the six months ended June 30, 2023. Plant 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Blanchard Avg Flow MGD 13.46 13.73 14.88 16.30 13.79 Max Flow MGD 31.54 25.98 27.96 33.06 23.32 Clark's Hill Avg Flow MGD 2.40 2.49 2.16 2.34 1.97 Max Flow MGD 3.29 3.28 2.88 6.14 2.68 Total Avg Flow MGD 15.86 16.22 17.04 18.64 15.76 Max Flow MGD 34.83 29.26 30.84 39.20 26.00 Plant 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Reed Creek Avg Flow MGD 3.36 4.14 3.55 3.22 4.03 Max Flow MGD 3.87 7.19 6.38 7.53 10.20 Crawford Creek Avg Flow MGD 0.98 1.05 1.00 0.93 1.01 Max Flow MGD 1.06 1.39 1.19 1.21 1.33 Little River Avg Flow MGD 4.45 5.42 5.02 4.42 5.16 Max Flow MGD 4.89 6.17 5.59 8.11 9.77 Kiokee Creek Avg Flow MGD 0.048 0.037 0.070 0.11 0.13 Max Flow MGD 0.070 0.050 0.083 0.19 0.27 Harlem Avg Flow MGD N/A N/A 0.23 0.21 0.26 Max Flow MGD N/A N/A 0.27 0.45 0.80 Total Avg Flow MGD 8.84 10.65 9.87 8.89 10.59 Max Flow MGD 9.88 14.80 13.51 17.49 22.37 Wastewater Demand Source: Columbia County Water and Sewer Services Division. 198 ---PAGE BREAK--- Five Year Operating History Set forth below is a historical, comparative summary of the operating results of the System for the past five fiscal years. For more detailed information regarding the financial results and condition of the System, see the audited financial statements of the County for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, included in the financial section of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. The information in the following table for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2019 through 2022 has been extracted from previous audited financial statements of the County. COLUMBIA COUNTY WATER AND SEWERAGE SYSTEM Summary of Operating Results Fiscal Years Ended June 30 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Operating revenue Charges for services 34,353,556 $ 36,126,152 $ 37,205,472 $ 37,840,294 $ 37,242,608 $ Tap fees 1,884,303 1,800,252 2,009,886 2,217,038 1,479,683 Other 84,552 187,777 66,620 143,308 8,936 Total operating revenue 36,322,411 38,114,181 39,281,978 40,200,640 38,731,227 Operating expenses Operating expenses 19,647,351 21,921,570 21,139,850 23,047,086 25,346,340 Depreciation/amortization 11,358,738 11,694,615 11,889,195 12,466,130 12,818,850 Total operating expenses 31,006,089 33,616,185 33,029,045 35,513,216 38,165,190 Operating income 5,316,322 4,497,996 6,252,933 4,687,424 566,037 Non-operating revenues/(expenses) Interest income 1,417,183 1,083,065 (289,199) (2,507,670) (398,899) Interest expense (2,061,653) (1,401,542) (1,837,684) (1,655,183) (1,477,160) Lease revenue - - - 66,741 61,394 Gain on sale of capital assets 7,759 3,282 220 964 - Total non-operating revenues/(expenses) (636,711) (315,195) (2,126,663) (4,095,148) (1,814,665) Income before contributions/transfers 4,679,611 4,182,801 4,126,270 592,276 (1,248,628) Contributions/transfers Capital contributions 3,416,168 6,839,794 5,406,098 4,833,348 7,560,221 Transfers - - (66,825) 196,444 585,005 Total contributions/transfers 3,416,168 6,839,794 5,339,273 5,029,792 8,145,226 Net income/change in net position 8,095,779 $ 11,022,595 $ 9,465,543 $ 5,622,068 $ 6,896,598 $ 199 ---PAGE BREAK--- Historical Debt Service Coverage The following table shows the historical debt service coverage of the System for the past five fiscal years. 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Net income/change in net position 8,095,779 $ 11,022,595 $ 9,465,543 $ 5,622,068 $ 6,896,598 $ Plus: Interest expense 2,061,653 1,401,542 1,837,684 1,655,183 1,477,160 Costs of bond issuance - - - - - Depreciation/amortization 11,358,738 11,694,615 11,889,195 12,466,130 12,818,850 13,420,391 13,096,157 13,726,879 14,121,313 14,296,010 Less: Interest income on construction fund and investment account - - - - - Gain on sale of capital assets 7,759 3,282 220 964 - Capital contributions 3,416,168 6,839,794 5,406,098 4,833,348 7,560,221 Transfers - - (66,825) 196,444 585,005 3,423,927 6,843,076 5,339,493 5,030,756 8,145,226 Net income available for debt service 18,092,243 17,275,676 17,852,929 14,712,625 13,047,382 Total annual debt service 5,613,347 $ 5,937,627 $ 6,256,794 $ 6,242,035 $ 6,246,911 $ Historical debt service coverage 3.22 2.91 2.85 2.36 2.09 Total annual debt service includes principal and interest of outstanding revenue bonds only, excludes GEFA Loans. Fiscal Year Ended June 30 200 ---PAGE BREAK--- 201 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS DISCLOSURE ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA General Obligation Bonds Continuing Disclosure Sales and Use Tax Pursuant to an election held in the County in 2022, the County authorized the levy and collection of a special purpose local option sales and use tax, which commenced on January 1, 2023, for a period of time of six years. The County entered into intergovernmental agreements with the Cities of Harlem and Grovetown, Georgia. Pursuant to these agreements, the County shall receive the first $28.114 million of the Sales and Use Tax proceeds. After that amount is collected by the County, the County shall remit 3.0% and 10.0% of the remaining proceeds of the Sales and Use Tax to Harlem and Grovetown, respectively. The amounts remitted to the cities will not be available to pay debt service on the bonds. Set forth below are historical collections of the Existing Sales and Use Tax for the past five calendar years. These historical collections are indicative of anticipated collections of the Sales and Use Tax; however, no assurance can be made that future collections will equal or exceed past collections of the Existing Sales and Use Tax. Calendar Year Amount Percent Change 2019 23,698,787 $ 9.24% 2020(1) 29,397,657 $ 24.05% 2021 31,357,554 $ 6.67% 2022 34,233,504 $ 9.17% 2023(2) 25,954,950 $ -24.18% Includes disbursement from GA DOR audit of previous years. Nine months of collections. Tax Levies and Collection The Columbia County Tax Commissioner collects taxes which have been levied by the State of Georgia, the County, the Columbia County School District and the Cities of Grovetown and Harlem. Tax bills are normally mailed in September and may be paid without interest or penalty through November 15th of each year. However, whenever the tax bills are mailed a taxpayer has 60 days to pay. After the due date, interest at the rate of 1% per month (or any portion thereof) and a penalty of 10% per annum (after 90 days) are added. Collections in Calendar Total Percentage Subsequent Percentage Year Tax Levy Amount of Levy Years Amount of Levy 2019 50,175,345 47,095,488 93.86% 3,078,771 50,174,259 100.00% 2020 53,224,755 49,343,902 92.71% 3,878,284 53,222,186 100.00% 2021 54,827,119 51,187,005 93.36% 3,627,149 54,814,154 99.98% 2022 60,132,875 55,918,239 92.99% 4,130,446 60,048,685 99.86% 2023 61,798,469 57,304,430 92.73% - 57,304,430 92.73% Total Collections to Date Collected within the Calendar Year of Levy Includes all taxes levied by the Columbia County Board of Commissioners only. As of November 21, 2023. Source: Columbia County Tax Commissioner. 202 ---PAGE BREAK--- Historical Property Tax Data The following table presents the assessed value (40% of fair market value, except timber which is 100% of fair market value) of taxable property within the County for the last five calendar years. Calendar Less: Less: Estimated Year of Motor Mobile Public Gross Operating Debt Service Actual Levy Vehicle Homes Utilities Digest Exemptions Exemptions Taxable Value 2019 5,898,636,819 85,807,370 8,611,755 92,778,746 6,085,834,690 (549,160,657) 5,536,674,033 (511,348,739) 5,574,485,951 15,214,586,725 2020 6,232,810,508 81,900,920 8,432,549 100,742,399 6,423,886,376 (559,905,315) 5,863,981,061 (522,358,232) 5,901,528,144 16,059,715,940 2021 6,681,691,219 59,095,520 8,618,850 100,867,583 6,850,273,172 (597,157,207) 6,253,115,965 (551,797,630) 6,298,475,542 17,125,682,930 2022 7,717,830,344 53,868,880 10,670,332 100,867,583 7,883,237,139 (656,260,523) 7,226,976,616 (610,461,744) 7,272,775,395 19,708,092,848 2023 8,802,027,464 54,095,120 12,251,800 106,259,924 8,974,634,308 (770,634,520) 8,203,999,788 (724,485,967) 8,250,148,341 22,436,585,770 Maintenance & Operations Tax Digest Real & Personal Property General Obligation Bond Tax Digest (1)Total assessed value, after deducting exemptions, for purposes of levying tax for County's general obligation bonds. (2)Total assessed value, after deducting exemptions, for purposes of levying tax for the support and maintenance of the County. (3)Includes assessed value of timber. Source: Columbia County Tax Commissioner. 203 ---PAGE BREAK--- Tax Rates - Mills Set forth below is information concerning the rate of levy of property taxes per $1,000 of assessed value (millage rates) of the County for the past five calendar years. County Direct Rates State Calendar Debt Total County Debt Total Harlem Grovetown State of Year Operating Service Fire Direct Operating Service School Operating Operating Georgia 2019 5.999 0.890 2.558 9.447 18.300 0.000 18.300 9.350 7.876 0.000 2020 5.999 0.840 2.608 9.447 18.300 0.000 18.300 9.350 7.620 0.000 2021 5.683 0.780 2.608 9.071 18.100 0.000 18.100 9.350 7.620 0.000 2022 5.147 0.683 2.788 8.618 17.350 0.000 17.350 9.350 7.620 0.000 2023 4.895 0.559 2.788 8.242 17.200 0.000 17.200 9.350 7.620 0.000 Overlapping Rates School District Cities (1)Fire Tax applies to unincorporated areas only. Source: Columbia County Tax Commissioner. Principal Taxpayers Set forth below are the ten largest taxpayers of the County in 2023. No independent investigation has been made of, and consequently no representation can be made as to, the financial condition of any of the taxpayers listed below or that such taxpayers will continue to maintain their status as major taxpayers in the County. Taxes levied are for maintenance and operations only. Taxpayer Assessed Valuation Taxes Levied Percentage of Total Taxable Assessed Value 1. Amazon.Com Services LLC 121,569,107 $ 595,081 $ 1.48% 2. Georgia Power 71,945,608 352,174 0.88% 3. John Deere Commercial Products 32,307,252 158,144 0.39% 4. Georgia Iron Works 30,515,353 149,373 0.37% 5. CX Station at Brighton DST 24,827,366 121,530 0.30% 6. LLC 23,920,355 117,090 0.29% 7. LCS Brandon Wilde LLC 22,676,497 111,001 0.28% 8. Club Car LLC 21,075,308 103,164 0.26% 9. Grand Oak River Island LLC 20,742,563 101,535 0.25% 10. Pollard Land Company 19,936,891 97,591 0.24% 389,516,300 $ 1,906,683 $ 4.75% Total taxable assessed value 8,203,999,788 $ Source: Columbia County Tax Commissioner. 204 ---PAGE BREAK--- Summary of County Indebtedness by Category Set forth below is information concerning the outstanding tax-supported debt of the County as of June 30, 2023. Category Amount Issued Amount Outstanding General obligation bonds: Series 2015 15,000,000 $ - $ Series 2016A 14,400,000 2,245,000 Series 2017 60,000,000 10,805,000 Series 2022 44,990,000 44,150,000 Bond issuance premiums - 1,867,662 Total 134,390,000 $ 59,067,662 $ Debt Limitation The State of Georgia limits the amount of general obligation debt that a unit of government can issue to 10% of the net assessed value of taxable property located within that government’s boundaries. The legal debt limit for the County, as set forth in the table below, is $825.0 million and the legal debt margin is $766.0 million. Computation of Legal Debt Margin Taxable (net) assessed value - Bond Digest - as of January 1, 2023 8,250,148,341 $ Legal debt limit - 10% 825,014,834 (59,018,502) Legal debt margin 765,996,332 $ Debt applicable to debt limit, less resources restricted to repaying principal 205 ---PAGE BREAK--- Five Year General Fund Operating History. Set forth below is a historical, comparative summary of the revenues, expenditures, and changes in fund balance of the County’s General Fund for the past five fiscal years. For more detailed information regarding the financial results, see the audited financial statements of the County for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, included in the financial section of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. The information in the following table for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2019 through 2022 has been extracted from previous audited financial statements of the County. Revenues: 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Taxes - Property $ 40,863,210 $ 46,092,568 $ 50,058,820 $ 50,345,794 $ 52,056,696 Taxes - Sales 19,551,276 21,458,947 27,783,634 28,531,303 29,755,131 Taxes - Other 2,752,145 2,807,545 3,038,528 3,203,354 3,266,007 Licenses and Permits 448,720 455,413 473,005 530,569 482,995 Charges for Services 5,330,357 5,015,256 5,817,765 5,975,029 5,893,712 Intergovernmental Revenue 3,169,698 3,646,688 3,354,473 2,771,689 2,916,236 Fines and Forfeitures 1,629,281 1,431,713 1,620,384 1,481,997 1,619,941 Investment Income 1,129,119 898,415 31,997 (2,949,220) 352,811 Contributions and donations 2,396 530 - - - Other Income 1,077,986 1,059,271 1,326,552 1,393,539 1,421,283 Total Revenues 75,954,188 82,866,346 93,505,158 91,284,054 97,764,812 Expenditures: Current: General Government 15,631,115 15,800,164 18,070,666 18,872,457 19,724,907 Judicial 7,104,590 7,517,025 7,343,826 7,417,184 7,741,688 Public Safety 29,057,860 27,850,390 30,173,615 32,051,778 34,251,601 Public Works 5,051,357 5,176,855 5,519,726 6,120,668 6,635,369 Health and Welfare 1,487,789 1,053,930 1,116,052 1,242,775 1,288,272 Culture and Recreation 5,139,950 5,906,781 6,170,542 7,031,787 7,633,364 Housing and Development 3,728,951 4,228,965 3,632,536 3,744,674 3,998,752 Debt Service - - - 78,576 90,560 Total Expenditures 67,201,612 67,534,110 72,026,963 76,559,899 81,364,513 Excess (Deficiency) of Revenues Over Expenditures 8,752,576 15,332,236 21,478,195 14,724,155 16,400,299 Other Financing Sources (Uses) Sale of Property 19,684 17,489 27,696 26,433 1,232 Leases/SBITAs Issued - - - 461,638 30,150 Transfers Out (8,894,719) (17,446,809) (9,481,516) (13,101,532) (27,039,714) Transfers In 200,000 200,000 200,000 200,000 1,894,210 Total Other Finance Sources (Uses) (8,675,035) (17,229,320) (9,253,820) (12,413,461) (25,114,122) Net Change in Fund Balances 77,541 (1,897,084) 12,224,375 2,310,694 (8,713,823) Fund Balance, Beginning 47,858,951 47,936,492 46,039,408 58,263,783 60,574,477 Fund Balance, Ending $ 47,936,492 $ 46,039,408 $ 58,263,783 $ 60,574,477 $ 51,860,654 Fiscal Years Ended June 30 206 ---PAGE BREAK--- Current Year General Fund Budget Set forth below is a summary of the County’s General Fund budget adopted for the fiscal year ended June 30 2023, and the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, prepared in conformity with GAAP as applied to governmental units. The budgets for fiscal year 2023 and 2024 are based upon certain assumptions and estimates of the County’s management regarding future events, transactions, and circumstances. Realizations of the results projected in the budgets will depend upon implementation by management of policies and procedures consistent with the assumptions. Accordingly, the actual results achieved could materially vary from those projected in the budget shown below. 2023 2024 Sources: Taxes - property 49,813,469 $ 51,078,999 $ Taxes - sales 25,200,000 29,293,304 Taxes - other 2,705,000 3,105,000 Licenses and permits 450,000 475,000 Charges for services 4,650,000 5,375,000 Intergovernmental revenue 2,700,487 2,700,765 Fines and forfeitures 1,548,500 1,448,500 Investment income 300,000 300,000 Other income 1,087,396 1,199,396 Transfers in 200,000 200,000 Total sources 88,654,852 $ 95,175,964 $ Uses: General government 26,312,243 $ 26,809,726 $ Judicial 7,881,786 8,351,989 Public safety 32,581,611 35,032,265 Public works 6,304,942 6,957,197 Health and welfare 1,245,901 1,283,002 Culture and recreation 7,088,633 7,690,484 Housing and development 3,415,166 4,071,175 Transfers out 3,824,570 4,980,126 Total uses 88,654,852 $ 95,175,964 $ 207 ---PAGE BREAK--- SINGLE AUDIT SECTION ---PAGE BREAK--- cbh.com Report of Independent Auditor on Internal Control over Financial Reporting and on Compliance and Other Matters Based on an Audit of Financial Statements Performed in Accordance with Government Auditing Standards To the Columbia County Board of Commissioners Columbia County, Georgia We have audited, in accordance with the auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America and the standards applicable to financial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards issued by the Comptroller General of the United States, the financial statements of the governmental activities, the business-type activities, the aggregate discretely presented component units, each major fund, and the aggregate remaining fund information of Columbia County, Georgia (the “County”) as of and for the year ended June 30, 2023, and the related notes to the financial statements, which collectively comprise the County’s basic financial statements and have issued our report thereon dated December 15, 2023. Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting In planning and performing our audit of the financial statements, we considered the County’s internal control over financial reporting (“internal control”) as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances for the purpose of expressing our opinions on the financial statements, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the County’s internal control. Accordingly, we do not express an opinion on the effectiveness of the County’s internal control. A deficiency in internal control exists when the design or operation of a control does not allow management or employees, in the normal course of performing their assigned functions, to prevent, or detect and correct, misstatements on a timely basis. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the entity’s financial statements will not be prevented, or detected and corrected, on a timely basis. A significant deficiency is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control that is less severe than a material weakness, yet important enough to merit attention by those charged with governance. Our consideration of internal control was for the limited purpose described in the first paragraph of this section and was not designed to identify all deficiencies in internal control that might be material weaknesses or, significant deficiencies. Given these limitations, during our audit we did not identify any deficiencies in internal control that we consider to be material weaknesses. However, material weaknesses or significant deficiencies may exist that have not been identified. Report on Compliance and Other Matters As part of obtaining reasonable assurance about whether the County’s financial statements are free of material misstatement, we performed tests of its compliance with certain provisions of laws, regulations, contracts, and grant agreements, noncompliance with which could have a direct and material effect on the financial statements. However, providing an opinion on compliance with those provisions was not an objective of our audit and, accordingly, we do not express such an opinion. The results of our tests disclosed no instances of noncompliance or other matters that are required to be reported under Government Auditing Standards. Purpose of This Report The purpose of this report is solely to describe the scope of our testing of internal control and compliance and the results of that testing, and not to provide an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control or on compliance. This report is an integral part of an audit performed in accordance with Government Auditing Standards in considering the entity’s internal control and compliance. Accordingly, this communication is not suitable for any other purpose. Augusta, Georgia December 15, 2023 208 ---PAGE BREAK--- cbh.com Report of Independent Auditor on Compliance for Each Major Program and on Internal Control over Compliance Required by the Uniform Guidance To the Columbia County Board of Commissioners Columbia County, Georgia Report on Compliance for Each Major Federal Program Opinion on Each Major Federal Program We have audited Columbia County, Georgia’s (the “County”) compliance with the types of compliance requirements identified as subject to audit in the OMB Compliance Supplement that could have a direct and material effect on each of the County’s major federal programs for the year ended June 30, 2023. The County’s major federal programs are identified in the Summary of Auditor’s Results section of the accompanying schedule of findings and questioned costs. In our opinion, the County complied, in all material respects, with the types of compliance requirements referred to above that could have a direct and material effect on each of its major federal programs for the year ended June 30, 2023. Basis for Opinion on Each Major Federal Program We conducted our audit of compliance in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America; the standards applicable to financial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards, issued by the Comptroller General of the United States; and the audit requirements of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (“Uniform Guidance”). Our responsibilities under those standards and the Uniform Guidance are further described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of Compliance section of our report. We are required to be independent of the County and to meet our other ethical responsibilities, in accordance with relevant ethical requirements relating to our audit. We believe the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion on compliance for each major federal program. Our audit does not provide a legal determination of the County’s compliance with the compliance requirements referred to above. Responsibilities of Management for Compliance Management is responsible for compliance with the requirements referred to above and for the design, implementation, and maintenance of effective internal control over compliance with the requirements of laws, statutes, regulations, rules, and provisions of contracts or grant agreements applicable to the County’s federal programs. Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of Compliance Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether material noncompliance with the compliance requirements referred to above occurred, whether due to fraud or error, and express an opinion on the County’s compliance based on our audit. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not absolute assurance and, therefore, is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, Government Auditing Standards, and the Uniform Guidance will always detect material noncompliance when it exists. The risk of not detecting material noncompliance resulting from fraud is higher than for that resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control. Noncompliance with the compliance requirements referred to above is considered material if there is a substantial likelihood that, individually or in the aggregate, it would influence the judgment made by a reasonable user of the report on compliance about the County’s compliance with the requirements of each major federal program as a whole. 209 ---PAGE BREAK--- In performing an audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, Government Auditing Standards, and the Uniform Guidance, we:  Exercise professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit.  Identify and assess the risks of material noncompliance, whether due to fraud or error, and design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks. Such procedures include examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the County’s compliance with the compliance requirements referred to above and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances.  Obtain an understanding of the County’s internal control over compliance relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances and to test and report on internal control over compliance in accordance with the Uniform Guidance, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the County’s internal control over compliance. Accordingly, no such opinion is expressed. We are required to communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and any significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in internal control over compliance that we identified during the audit. Report on Internal Control over Compliance A deficiency in internal control over compliance exists when the design or operation of a control over compliance does not allow management or employees, in the normal course of performing their assigned functions, to prevent, or detect and correct, noncompliance with a type of compliance requirement of a federal program on a timely basis. A material weakness in internal control over compliance is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over compliance, such that there is a reasonable possibility that material noncompliance with a type of compliance requirement of a federal program will not be prevented, or detected and corrected, on a timely basis. A significant deficiency in internal control over compliance is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over compliance with a type of compliance requirement of a federal program that is less severe than a material weakness in internal control over compliance, yet important enough to merit attention by those charged with governance. Our consideration of internal control over compliance was for the limited purpose described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of Compliance section above and was not designed to identify all deficiencies in internal control over compliance that might be material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in internal control over compliance. Given these limitations, during our audit we did not identify any deficiencies in internal control over compliance that we consider to be material weaknesses, as defined above. However, material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in internal control over compliance may exist that were not identified. Our audit was not designed for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of internal control over compliance. Accordingly, no such opinion is expressed. The purpose of this report on internal control over compliance is solely to describe the scope of our testing of internal control over compliance and the results of that testing based on the requirements of the Uniform Guidance. Accordingly, this report is not suitable for any other purpose. Augusta, Georgia December 15, 2023 210 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA SCHEDULE OF EXPENDITURES OF FEDERAL AWARDS YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2023 See notes to schedule of expenditures of federal awards. Federal Grantor Pass-Through Grantor Federal Cluster Assistance Federal Program Title Listing Pass-Through Federal Program Description Number Number Expenditures U.S. Department of Justice Passed through the State of Georgia Prosecuting Attorney's Council of Georgia COVID-19 Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding CESF Victim's Assistance 16.034 2020-VD-BX-0009 / B50-8-128 13,628 $ Passed through the State of Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Federal Victims of Crime Act Assistance Grant Program Victims of Crimes Act (VOCA) 16.575 15POVC-22-GG-00691-A / C22-8-076 41,253 Total U.S. Department of Justice 54,881 U.S. Department of Transportation Passed through Georgia Department of Transportation Highway Planning and Construction Cluster Highway Planning and Construction Hereford Farm Road Widening 20.205 PI 0012865 702,464 Hardy McManus 20.205 PI 0013704 3,238,120 Total Highway Planning and Construction Cluster 3,940,584 Formula Grants for Rural Areas UMTA/Transit Operating Assistance 20.509 GA-2022-011-00 213,656 Total U.S. Department of Transportation 4,154,240 U.S. Department of the Treasury Passed through State of Georgia Governor's Office Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds COVID - 19 ARPA Judicial Grant - CYCLE 1 21.027 2022_ARPA_01 329,983 COVID - 19 ARPA Judicial Grant - CYCLE 2 21.027 2022_ARPA_3Y009 62,062 COVID - 19 ARPA Judicial Grant - 2023 21.027 2023_ARPA_3Y009 349,729 COVID - 19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds 21.027 Unknown 4,128,942 Total Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds 4,870,716 Total U.S. Department of the Treasury 4,870,716 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Passed through CSRA Regional Commission Social Services Block Grant DHR/Coordinated Transportation 93.667 2086-00-25 8202.0039 84,472 Passed through Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse Accountability Courts 93.959 J23-8-132 296,509 Total U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 380,981 U.S. Department of Homeland Security Passed through Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Hazard Mitigation Grant - HMGP Generators 97.039 HMGP 4338-0035 88,026 Emergency Management Performance Grants 97.042 OEM21-038 33,495 Total U.S. Department of Homeland Security 121,521 Total Expenditures of Federal Awards 9,582,339 $ 211 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA NOTES TO THE SCHEDULE OF EXPENDITURES OF FEDERAL AWARDS YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2023 Note 1—Basis of presentation The accompanying schedule of expenditures of federal awards (the “Schedule”) includes the federal award activity of Columbia County, Georgia (the “County”) under programs of the federal government for the year ended June 30, 2023. The information in this Schedule is presented in accordance with the requirements of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements of Federal Awards (“Uniform Guidance”). Note 2—Summary of significant accounting policies Expenditures reported on the Schedule are prepared on the accrual basis of accounting. Such expenditures are recognized following the cost principles contained in the Uniform Guidance, wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or are limited as to reimbursement. Pass-through entity identifying numbers are presented where available. Note 3—Indirect cost rate The County has elected not to use the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate allowed under Uniform Guidance. Note 4—Subrecipients The County did not provide federal awards to subrecipients during the year ended June 30, 2023. Note 5—Noncash awards The County did not receive noncash federal awards during the year ended June 30, 2023. 212 ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2023 Section I—Summary of Auditor’s Results Financial Statements Type of auditor’s report issued on whether the financial statements were prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP: Unmodified Internal control over financial reporting:  Material weakness(es) identified? yes X no  Significant deficiency(ies) identified? yes X none reported Noncompliance material to financial statements noted? yes X no Federal Awards Internal control over major federal programs:  Material weakness(es) identified? yes X no  Significant deficiency(ies) identified? yes X none reported Type of auditor’s report issued on compliance for major programs: Unmodified Any audit findings disclosed that are required to be reported in accordance with 2 CFR Section 200.516(a) of the Uniform Guidance yes X no Identification of Major Programs The programs tested as major programs of Columbia County, Georgia included: ALN # Name of Federal Program 21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds 20.205 Highway Planning and Construction The dollar threshold for Type A programs was $750,000. The County did not qualify as a low-risk auditee. Section II—Findings in Relation to the Audit of the Financial Statements None reported. Section III—Federal Awards Findings and Questioned Costs None reported. 213 ---PAGE BREAK--- COMPLIANCE SECTION ---PAGE BREAK--- cbh.com Report of Independent Accountant To the Columbia County Board of Commissioners Columbia County, Georgia We have examined management’s assertion included in the accompanying Certification 9-1-1 Expenditures regarding the Columbia County, Georgia’s (the “County”) compliance during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023 with the requirement to expend 9-1-1 funds in compliance with the expenditure requirements of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, Section 46-5-134. County’s management is responsible for the County’s compliance with this requirement. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on management’s assertions about the County’s compliance based on our examination. Our examination was conducted in accordance with the attestation standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Those standards require that we plan and perform the examination to obtain reasonable assurance about whether management’s assertions are in accordance with the criteria, in all material respects. An examination involves performing procedures to obtain evidence about management’s assertions. The nature, timing, and extent of the procedures selected depend on our judgment, including an assessment of the risks of material misstatement of management’s assertion whether due to fraud or error. We believe the evidence we obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. We are required to be independent and to meet our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with relevant ethical requirements relating to the engagement. In our opinion, management’s assertion that the County complied with the aforementioned requirement during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023 is fairly stated, in all material respects. This report is intended solely for the information and use of the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts and is not intended to be, and should not be, used by anyone other than the specified parties. Augusta, Georgia December 15, 2023 214 ---PAGE BREAK--- Columbia County Board of Commissioners Certification of 9- l- I Expenditures For the Year Ended June 30,2023 Line No. 2 Indiete UCOA Fmd Type U$d to A@ut for 9-l-l Activity (ch@s ooe): X Spaial Revenre Fmd Fmd Expenditws (UCOA Activity 3800) Wireless seryie supplier cost Hovery (identift mch supplier individully on lines below - attach list, if necessary) 46-5- 134(e) $ $ $ 3 Emsgency telephone including nmssary omputcr hudwrc, md &ta bm prcvisioning and noreming costs of establishing a 9-l-I system: [f,rc costs Prchas @sts Maint€me costs Ratcs miared with the wice suppliers 9- I - I wie md other sflie supplien mming chrges Employm hired by the lml govemmt slely for the opemtion md mintmre of the emagmcy 9- I - l system md employm who work m directon c defined in O.C.G.A. $46-5-138.2 Saluic md wages Employe bmefits Cost of tmining of employes who work a dispatchm or directon Office supplies of the public sfety points used direclly in prcviding emagmcy 9-l-l system sflics Building wd s a public sfety mwoing point: lss costs Pmha* costs Computer hardwm md mftwue Nd at a public sfety mswering point, including computq Gsisted dispatch system md automtic vehicle l@tion system: Le& costs Pwheosts Maintemce costs 3a 3b 3c 4 415,817 844,896 $ 260,248 5 5a 5b $ 46-s- l 34(0( l $ s s 46-5-l 34(0(l XF) $ $ 1,439,0',7 5 435, I 88 6 7 16,523 t07,647 8a 8b 9 s s $ 9a 9b 9c o.c_c-A. Refmrce: $ $ $ 46-5-134(0(lXA) 46-5-r34(0(lXA) 46-5-l 34(0(l XA) 46-5-r34(00XB) 46-5-134(1)(lXE) 46-5-134(0(rXC) 46-5-134(0(r XC) 8 46-5-134(0(lXC) 215 ---PAGE BREAK--- Columbia County Board of Commissioners Certification of 9- I - I Expenditures For the Year Ended June 30, 2023 Line No. l0 t4 l5 Supplies dimtly retated to providing 9-l-l system ffiices, including the cost of printing 9- l- I public education mtqials Logging recorden ued at a public ufety point to rccord telephone md mdio u'alfic: Lme costs Pwhase costs costs prcha*d to iNW against risks md liability in the operation md of the 9- I - I system on behalf of the lml govmmt or on behalf of employes hircd by the lml govmmt slely for the opemtion md mintmme of the 9- I - I system md employes who work as dimtom Mobile comuietiom vehicle md equipmmt, if the primary pwpos md designation of such vehicle is to fimction as a backup 9- l - I system cmts 46-5-134(0(rxr) $ 46-5-134(0( l XH) 46-5- l 34(0(2(BXi0 46-s- I 34(f)(2(B)(iv) $ ll I la ilb I lc t2 l5a l5b l5c t6 s s $ $ $ r3 l3a Lwcosts l3b Pwhase costs l3c Maintemc costs $ $ $ 168,634 94,430 Allmtion of indimt costs aswiated with $pporting the 9- t - l system md operations as idmtifred md outlined in m indimt cost alloetion plm by the local govming authority *nt is consislmt with the costs allmted within the local govmment to both gov€mmtal md buiness-type activities Mobile public ufety voice md data equipmmt, geo-targeted test mesging alen systems, or towffi to cafry out the limction of 9- I - I system opmtioN Las 6sts Pwhas costs costs Public ufety voice md data commuietiore systems lGated in the 9-l-l system facility that the legislative intent of prcviding the highest level of emagmcy respons seruice on a local, regional, md state-wide basis, including equipmmt md assmiated hudwrc md softwre that supports the ue of public mfety wireless voice and data commiqtion system $ l6s Lss msts l6b Pmha* costs I 6c Maintmme costs 46-s-134(0(2(BXiv) s 46-5- I 34(0(2(BXv) a6-s- I 34(fl(2(B)(v) a6-5-l 34(f)(2(B)(v) o.c.G.A. Refmce: 46-5-134(0(2XBXi) 46-5- l 34(fx2xBXiii) a6-s- I 34(f)(2(B)(iv) 46-5-134(0( rXr) 46-s-r34(0(l xD s s s 216 ---PAGE BREAK--- No. Columbia County Board of Commissioners Certification of 9- I - I Expenditures For the Year Ended June 30,2023 Line t7 Other expmditures not included in Lines 2 thrcugh 16 above. ldentify by object md purpos. Dues & Subscriptiom l8 Total Expendihres (total of all amomts reported on Lines 2 thrcugh l? above) Certification of Local Government Officirls I have reviewed the infonmtion presmted in this report md cerlify ttmt it is accmte md corect. I furtha certiS that the 9- l - l were expended in complimce with the expendihre requircments specified in the Official Code of Gmrgia Amotated(OCGA),Srction46-5-134. govement which mkes expenditues not in complimce with this Code section may be held liable for prc mta to telephone md wireless telecomuicatiom subscribes of mouts impropoly expended. Further, the noncomplimt local govemmt shall be sotely fmcially rcsponsible for the rcimbmement md for my costs associated with the reimbmement. Such reimbwment shall be accomplished by the rruice providm abating the imposition of the 9-l-l charges md 9-l-l wireless enhmced chuges mtil srch abatement equls the total momt of ihe rebate. $ $ $ $ s $ S 3,319 3,785,7'r9 il, ,^,lolnfz3 Signatm of Chief Elected Offi cial Print Name of Chief Elected Official DOUGLAS R. DUNCAN JR. Title of Chief Elected OIficial Chairman. ColumbiN Count\ Bourd of Commissioners SigrEnre of Chief Finmcial Officer Print Name of Chief Fimcial Officer LEANNE C REECE lo .lL. a 3 o.c.G.A. Refrc: 217