The Bulloch County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a resolution objecting to a proposed annexation by the city of Statesboro under O.C.G.A. §36-36-113, county attorney George Rountree told the board.

Rountree told commissioners that "the city has proposed to annex some property into the city," and that the proposed resolution is a formal objection that could lead to arbitration. He said the county is acting after the local school board asked the county to object because the annexation could create additional burdens and costs for school facilities and transportation.

The resolution cites potential road improvements and increased traffic near Old Register Road as a central concern. Rountree said the county may object when a proposed annexation would impose costs on the county. Commissioners discussed whether the county’s legal basis for objection should focus on roads rather than school funding; Rountree said the road impact is the clearest statutory ground but that school-related objections are more uncertain under the statute.

Commissioners also discussed whether the Bulloch County Board of Education would help cover arbitration costs; one commissioner said the school board had offered financial assistance. The city had previously been asked to accept maintenance of affected roads; the county advanced the objection after the city declined.

A motion simply recorded as "Motion to object" was made, seconded, and carried unanimously. All seven commissioners present — Chairman David Bennett, Vice Chairman Toby Connor, Commissioner Ray Mosley, Commissioner Anthony Simmons, Commissioner Nick Newkirk, Commissioner Timmy Rushing and Commissioner Ray Davis — voted in favor.

What happens next: under O.C.G.A. §36-36-113 and related annexation procedures, the city will consider the objection and the parties could proceed to arbitration if they cannot resolve the dispute. The county did not direct staff to pursue a particular legal remedy beyond the approved resolution.

The board approved the resolution at the meeting after Rountree’s explanation and a brief period of discussion.