City manager says voluntary annexation sparked county objection over road responsibilities

City Manager Charles Penny told the Statesboro Mayor and Council that a voluntary annexation petition for roughly 100 acres drew objections from Bulloch County commissioners and concern from the school board.

Penny said the annexation petition — which staff described as involving about 100 acres and potentially up to 1,300 housing units per materials discussed — was initiated by petitioners, not the city. "We are being asked to annex. It's a voluntary annexation. The city did not initiate this," Penny said, adding that state law requires the city to notify the school board when annexations occur.

Penny said the Bulloch County Commission objected to the annexation and conditioned its stance on the city—s taking responsibility for local roads. County commissioners, he said, requested the city take responsibility for Old Register Road down to the intersection of Langston Chapel — a stretch Penny said is not part of the annexation petition. He said the city is willing to accept responsibility for roads that are part of the annexation but not for additional stretches outside the petition area.

Penny said the county discussed funding a roundabout at the graded intersection of Old Register Road and Langston Chapel; that project was delayed by storm damage. If the county maintains its objection, Penny said the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) could be asked to arbitrate the dispute under state procedures.

Why it matters: annexation changes municipal boundaries, affects school enrollment planning, roads and service responsibilities, and can trigger intergovernmental negotiations and appeals under state law.

Next steps: Penny said the city expects DCA involvement if the county persists; staff will notify the council should formal arbitration or additional filings occur.