The Oconee County Fire Service Advisory Commission voted to form a joint committee with the rescue commission to review eligibility requirements and the accounting of the volunteer firefighter incentive fund.

Members said the incentive program is intended to funnel money toward volunteers and that accounting questions need answering. One speaker stated, "We just need to make sure that all the money that we budget for the volunteers goes into the volunteers' pocket," and asked Chief Smith to verify fund breakdowns. In the transcript a speaker reported historical figures: an ongoing $200,000 baseline for incentive funds; "we left, $4,048,000 dollars and some change, I think, in '22," $43,600 in 2023 and an apparent overrun of $216,047 in 2024 (statements recorded as spoken in the meeting). The commission directed staff and Chief Smith to track where funds have been spent and to report back.

Commissioners volunteered members to serve on the review committee; Steven Swofford and Truman (Nicholas) offered to serve. The committee will coordinate with rescue commissioners and present an actionable plan and any recommended changes in requirements to ensure funds designated for volunteers are spent for that purpose.