Jeanette Wolfberg is reporting in the Columbia Paper on the details of the 2016 Columbia County budget. The spending plan was adopted by the full Board of Supervisors earlier this month. Total spending for the coming year is expected to be more than $146 million, a decrease of $1.2 million from the current year. While the tax levy exceeds the 2015 amount by more than $300,000, the tax rate per thousand dollars in assessed value will decrease in 2016 by five cents. The tax rate has decreased because property values have risen. The average home value in the county now stands at just under $225,000. The county fiscal year runs from January through December. The board will hold its final meeting of the year, Wed., Dec. 30. Read the full story in the Columbia Paper.