Statesboro manager opposes Bullock County plan; council authorizes staff to offer one‑year continuation under current terms while urging fuller review

City Manager Penny presented a written recommendation and a summary of the recent exchange with Bullock County about the five‑mile fire district that the Statesboro Fire Department has served for decades. Penny recommended the council not accept the county’s recently proposed plan to split the fire district and said the city is willing to serve the district for one additional year under the present agreement to allow an orderly transition.

Penny told the council the county’s December 3, 2024 vote had terminated the existing agreement effective July 1, 2025, and that county staff later indicated they wished to negotiate another arrangement. The manager said funding from the county currently represents about 30% of the Statesboro Fire Department budget and that the fire district covers 96 square miles while the city comprises about 16.1 square miles of that district. Penny asked the council to authorize staff to offer a one‑year extension under current terms and, if agreeable, to allow the county to establish stations in the district while the city provides transition automatic aid for a limited time.

Council members debated the risks and timing. Several members said they want more time to analyze budget and operational consequences and preferred discussing details at the upcoming council retreat. Concerns included the potential for the city to provide uncompensated service if the county cannot staff new stations quickly and the possible insurance and classification impacts for residents in areas that could be reclassified without city service.

Chief Graham (Statesboro Fire Department) observed that automatic aid is usually reciprocal and stressed that water supply and response distance are key determinants of insurance classification. He said some parts of the county would need substantial station and staffing changes to meet the same protection level the city now provides.

After discussion the council adopted a motion directing City Manager Penny to inform Bullock County the city is willing to continue serving the five‑mile district for one additional year under the current terms. The motion, as amended in the meeting, did not commit the city to provide uncompensated automatic aid beyond the stated one‑year extension; councilmembers said any longer automatic‑aid arrangement would require explicit negotiation and agreement.

Councilmembers asked staff to present a fuller fiscal and operational analysis at the retreat so the council could consider negotiated terms or other long‑term options with complete information.