Mission Statement

SERVICE ~ ENGAGEMENT ~ CONNECTION ~ INNOVATION

These four words form the basis for serving the residents of Columbia County. The principles of service, engagement, connection, and innovation drive county commissioners, departments, and individual employees towards excellence in their operations and future planning.

Our full mission statement:

At Columbia County, we serve with integrity and leadership to provide responsible government. We engage by listening and being proactive to community needs. We connect to build partnerships and opportunities. We innovate with resourcefulness to promote a healthy and prosperous Columbia County.

Our Vision

We value integrity and believe that working in an honest and transparent manner is crucial. We also understand and value accountability and trust, and will maintain an environment of open and respectful communication with our residents, our partners, and our staff. 

Our dedicated team will provide efficient services through accurate information sharing and timely decision-making.

We will work diligently to ensure that resiliency and successful outcomes for our residents are priorities.

We envision a peaceful community in which our residents are safe, healthy, and secure.

We embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion. We will cultivate a dependable and responsible system that supports our community and provides access to the services our residents need and desire.

We will engage the public in decision-making, and our community can expect that their contributions will guide decisions.

As leaders in community investments, we will foster relationships and collaborate with partners to discover innovative and cost-effective solutions to community aspirations.

We envision a vibrant economy that supports a high quality of life for present and future generations.

We will proactively develop creative solutions to the challenges of our evolving and growing community and will actively seek to apply new and visionary ideas that support our mission, our vision, and our values. 

Our Values:

Integrity
Our leaders, staff, and volunteers believe that working in an ethical manner is crucial to everything we do. We also understand the importance of accuracy, civility, and trust.  We strive to achieve an environment of honest interactions with each other, our partners, and our residents.

Dedication
We are committed to our mission, vision, and values, and hold ourselves to the highest standards of our professions. Through resourcefulness and perseverance, we actively seek to identify and develop creative solutions to new and existing challenges and to remove barriers to success.

Accountability
We believe that safeguarding public assets is paramount, and hold ourselves accountable for the public resources entrusted in our care.  We take our obligation to account for our activities, policies, decisions, and spending seriously. We are answerable to our stakeholders for our actions and results.

Teamwork
Our employees are our greatest resource. We promote an atmosphere in which we actively work to connect with each other and our partners to achieve the best outcomes.

Respect 
We treat all people with dignity and listen with openness and understanding. Our work environment fosters the appreciation of the values, skills, and abilities of everyone. We acknowledge that people are affected by our decisions, and aim to balance human and community needs.

Communication
Open communication from all levels of our organization is vital and encouraged. Connecting with our residents, staff, and partners is essential to making informed, appropriate decisions. We provide access to county information in a convenient and accessible manner to stimulate productive dialog and public understanding.

Equity
A dynamic community is one in which all residents have the ability to thrive. Therefore, we strive to identify and eliminate barriers that might prevent full participation. We will operate under the principles of social justice in which all people have equal opportunity, where they are able to access community resources, and where they are treated equitably in order to succeed.

Community
We welcome all voices, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, age, abilities, national origin, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, education, marital status, language, and physical appearance. We recognize and value how our differences contribute to a richer, more creative, and productive environment.  

Livability 
We believe a healthy environment and a strong economy will help our people flourish. We work to ensure a safe community through efficient criminal justice and effective human services. We also act with the utmost care for our natural, historic, and aesthetic resources, and work to preserve and enhance them within our rural character for future generations.