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Columbia County to dispatch Grovetown police, fire and EMS under MOU at no cost to city

Columbia County Board of Commissioners — Management/Internal Services Committee & Proposed Development and Planning Services Committee · July 9, 2025

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Summary

The Management/Internal Services Committee approved a memorandum of understanding to provide dispatch services for the City of Grovetown’s fire department (police dispatch already handled). County staff said there is no cost to Grovetown, no transfer of personnel, and no immediate budget impact to county operations.

County staff told the Management/Internal Services Committee on July 8 that Columbia County has an MOU with the City of Grovetown to provide dispatch services for Grovetown’s fire department; the sheriff’s office had already executed an MOU for police dispatch. Under the arrangement, county 911 will receive and dispatch police, fire and EMS calls for Grovetown and the existing practice of transferring calls will end.

“There is no cost to the city of Grovetown for this,” staff said, and added that the county will not be absorbing Grovetown personnel as county employees. When asked about budget impact, staff replied there should be none because the county already answers Grovetown calls and will now dispatch units rather than transfer callers. Staff recommended approval and the item was moved and approved by consent.

The county said the arrangement mirrors an existing agreement with the City of Harlem and that consolidating dispatching is intended to streamline response and improve simplicity for callers.