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Statesboro explores fire-service fee as Bulloch County votes to end fire‑district agreement
Summary
City officials described a fire‑service fee study and said Bulloch County voted to end the long‑standing fire‑district agreement effective July 1, 2025; city leaders said they have proposed a one‑year extension while the county prepares to transition services.
City Manager Charles Penny and Fire Chief Tim Grahams told supervisors that the city has hired a consultant to study a possible fire‑service fee and reported that Bulloch County voted to end its five‑year fire‑district agreement, with county officials notifying the city that responsibility for the fire district would shift on July 1, 2025.
The study, which the city contracted to GMC, will analyze the cost of fire protection, property risk profiles and the treatment of tax‑exempt properties as the city evaluates whether to charge a fee for fire protection beyond property taxes. “It’s a much more equitable way to fund the fire service,” Grahams said, adding the fee could apply to users of the service including tax‑exempt properties that currently pay no property tax yet receive protection and related ISO benefits.
Why it matters: the city manager said the fire budget is about $7,000,000 and the county contribution to the district has been roughly $2,300,000 — a sum city officials say helps fund firefighters’ salaries and operations. Penny told employees, “Our employees do not need to be worried about whether you're gonna have a job,” and the council has pledged to hold staff harmless while the city assesses options.
Chief Grahams outlined the department’s 2024 operations as context for the funding discussion: the department handled 1,545 calls for service (about 70% in city limits), averaged a 6 minute, 8 second response time, sustained about 20% overlapping calls and logged roughly 19,500 training hours. Grahams also said the department is moving forward with a third station, new aerial apparatus and grant‑funded projects; he noted about $3.2 million in grants received in 2024.
On the intergovernmental agreement: Penny said Bulloch County commissioners placed the previously automatic renewal on their December agenda and then voted unanimously to cancel the agreement effective July 1, 2025. The county later proposed splitting the fire district geographically and reallocating revenue; the city submitted a counterproposal to continue serving the full district for one additional year under the existing terms to allow a transition. Penny said the city will continue to provide mutual aid but that primary responsibility for the district would be Bulloch County if the county’s cancellation stands.
The consultants’ study is in early data‑gathering: GMC will collect operational cost data, project future service needs, identify tax‑exempt properties and model fee options. Grahams and Penny repeatedly cautioned there is no guarantee the study will recommend a fee; Grahams said the consultant “very well could come back and say that this is not something that is suitable for the city of Statesboro.”
City leaders urged staff and residents to await the consultant’s analysis before assuming any changes in service or taxes. Penny said the city’s immediate focus remains maintaining service inside city limits while engaging Bulloch County on transition options.
Ending: City staff said they will continue to update employees and the public as the study progresses and as negotiations with Bulloch County develop. Officials encouraged questions directed to Chief Tim Grahams or City Manager Charles Penny.
