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Commission tables fire-department consolidation study request pending more information
Summary
Commissioners agreed to table a proposed $55,000 study that would evaluate consolidation of municipal fire departments with the county; staff said the study would be brought to the board’s upcoming winter retreat for further discussion.
Habersham County commissioners on Jan. 27 tabled consideration of a $55,000 fire consolidation study that would survey county and municipal fire departments and recommend whether consolidation would be advisable.
Staff said the consulting firm would evaluate equipment, personnel and response patterns across the county and its municipalities; the study is nonbinding and would not require cities to consolidate. County staff said the study cost was $55,000 and that municipalities had been told the county would cover the expense at earlier meetings.
Several commissioners said they wanted additional information before approving the expenditure. One commissioner asked whether the $55,000 would be shared with participating cities; staff said at a December meeting the cities were told the county would pay the consultant.
The commission voted to table the item for further information; staff said the topic will be discussed at the board’s winter retreat on Feb. 13, before any final decision.
County staff stressed that the study would be advisory: the consultant’s findings would not obligate any city to consolidate. The tabled motion was made to allow the commission time to review details and to discuss the matter at the retreat before deciding whether to commission the work.
