Columbia County, Florida

10 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 3, ISSUE 3 COLUMB I A COUNTY , FLOR IDA Consumptive Use Permit for over two million gallons of water per day to support the area’s industrial and commercial needs. The county hired engineers to uncover other alternative water sources to meet future growth needs. Local utilities Duke Energy, Florida Power & Light and others provide electrical power, while four county-based solar farms are generating more electricity than residents and businesses can even consume on a given day. “We have transmission lines running from the county to the Panhandle, so we are in good shape with power,” Kraus says. From the never-ending outdoor opportunities and natural beauty, including nearby O’Leno State Park, and countless ATV trails and hiking and fishing spots, to the increasing number of modern amenities and growing list of employers, Columbia City offers something for everyone who works, lives, and plays in the area. Hunter explains, “We spent eight years writing state