The Columbia County Board of County Commissioners adopted the fiscal year 2025-26 budget and levied an operating millage rate of 7.815 mills at public hearings on Sept. 18, 2025. County staff read resolution 2025R-43 into the record, citing certified gross taxable value and a 6.37% increase over the rollback rate.

The board also adopted municipal service taxing unit (MSTU) millage for the Columbia County Industrial Park at 7.815 mills (resolution 2025R-44), and adopted the fiscal year 2025-26 final county budget (resolution 2025R-45) with appropriations and revenue estimates read into the record as $214,833,415. The board adopted the Columbia County Industrial Park MSTU budget (resolution 2025R-46) for $20,168.

The public hearing and subsequent vote on each resolution resulted in motions and unanimous "aye" approvals during the meeting; the clerk was asked to note the adoption times. The resolutions cited Florida Statute section 200.065 as the legal basis for public hearings and adoption.

During the same meeting, commissioners highlighted the creation of a permanent, full-time veteran service officer position in the adopted budget. Kelly Luker, a retired Army paratrooper, spoke during public comment about his father's service-connected death and told the board the county's veteran advocate, Ronnie Beasley, had recently helped secure retroactive VA recognition and compensation for his family after a 30-year fight. "Ronnie Beasley is the most professional and strongest advocate for the veterans of Columbia County," Luker said, and urged the board to "keep Mr. Beasley on as a permanent veteran service officer."

Chairmen and commissioners praised the outcome and discussed adding a flagpole at the VSO office to fly the U.S. flag after public comment; the chair indicated staff would follow up. The budget adoption and millage resolutions were presented as the final fiscal actions for the year and were adopted at the public hearings held Sept. 18, 2025.

No appeal or legal challenge was stated at the meeting; the resolutions became effective immediately upon adoption per the language read into the record.