Public Participation
In order to plan for efficient, effective, safe, equitable and reliable transportation systems, Columbia County must have input from the public. The County invests significant staff and financial resources toward this goal and strongly encourages participation from the entire community.
Any person may attend any Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting — including committee meetings — and speak during the Public Comment portion of the agenda. Meeting agendas and schedules are available at www.columbiacountyfla.com. You may also call the County Manager’s Office for a calendar of upcoming meetings. All meeting locations are accessible to persons with disabilities.
BOCC members and staff also attend other community meetings as necessary or when invited.
Nondiscrimination Commitment
The Columbia County Board of County Commissioners values diversity and welcomes input from all interested parties, regardless of cultural identity, background or income level. The County believes the best programs and services result from careful consideration of the needs of all communities — and from involving those communities in the transportation decision-making process.
Pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other federal and state authorities, the County will not exclude from participation in, deny the benefits of, or subject to discrimination anyone on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, income or family status.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), and related laws prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities and require affirmative steps to ensure reasonable accommodations and equitable representation in transportation programs, services, and activities.
1. Title VI / Nondiscrimination Coordinator
Human Resources Director – Title VI/Nondiscrimination Coordinator
Address: P.O. Box 1529, Lake City, FL 32056-1529
Email: hr@columbiacountyfla.com
Phone: (386) 719-2025
2. Complaint Procedures
- Any person who believes they have been subjected to discrimination (or retaliation for making a complaint) may file a complaint with the Title VI/Nondiscrimination Coordinator.
- Complaints should preferably be in writing and include:
- Complainant’s name and contact information
- Basis of discrimination (race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, income, family status)
- Detailed description of the alleged incident
- The Coordinator will respond within 30 calendar days and take reasonable steps to resolve the matter.
- For complaints involving federally or state-funded projects, the County may forward documentation to the appropriate agency (e.g., Florida Department of Transportation – Equal Opportunity Office, 605 Suwannee Street MS 65, Tallahassee, FL 32399).
3. ADA / Section 504 Statement
Columbia County is committed to ensuring that its facilities, programs, services, and activities are accessible to individuals with disabilities. We encourage participation by people with disabilities and disability advocacy organizations in advisory committees and public involvement opportunities.
Requests for reasonable accommodations should be made at least 10 calendar days in advance to allow time to arrange necessary assistance. Contact the Title VI/Nondiscrimination Coordinator with questions or requests.
4. Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Guidance
Consistent with Title VI, Executive Order 13166, and U.S. DOT guidance, Columbia County takes reasonable steps to ensure meaningful access for individuals with limited English proficiency.
The County conducted a four-factor analysis to determine language assistance needs:
| Factor |
Description |
Columbia County Finding |
| 1. Number / proportion of LEP persons |
Percentage of population 5+ who speak English less than “very well” |
≈4.96% overall; Spanish is the largest group at ~0.28% |
| 2. Frequency of contact |
How often LEP individuals interact with services |
Very infrequent outside of emergency services (Fire / 911) |
| 3. Importance to people’s lives |
Critical nature of the service |
Highest for emergency services — procedures already in place |
| 4. Resources & cost |
Availability and expense of language services |
Telephone interpretation (LanguageLine) and Florida Relay 711 available |
Conclusion: While the LEP population is small, Columbia County remains committed to Title VI principles and will provide translation/interpretation services upon reasonable request with advance notice.
Additional Provisions
- Public Involvement: Suggestions, volunteers, and special presentation requests are welcome — contact the Coordinator.
- Data Collection: FHWA regulations require demographic data collection for transportation programs; voluntary participation is requested at public events when needed.
- Assurances: The County certifies every three years to FHWA and FDOT that programs are conducted in a nondiscriminatory manner.