Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Fire/EMS, utilities and public works report: February calls, meter replacements and grant steps discussed
Summary
Chief Montgomery reported 77 emergency incidents in February (13 fires, 64 EMS responses); Public Works Director Art Barfield said water usage rose to 5,301,000 gallons, many meters have exceeded their 20-year life and staff have begun GEFA prequalification for a meter-replacement grant. Jamieson announced hazard-mitigation meetings and fund balances.
Fire and emergency medical services: Chief Montgomery reported that Schley County Fire & EMS responded to 77 emergency incidents in February 2026, including 13 fire incidents and 64 EMS responses; wildland fires made up more than half of the fire incidents. The department continues to focus on maintaining rapid response capability, paramedic-level medical care and wildland-fire preparedness.
Utilities and public works: Public Works Director Art Barfield reported monthly water usage of 5,301,000 gallons, an increase of 711,000 gallons from the prior period. The department read 752 meters, sold 159,000 gallons to Andersonville, had 13 meters locked for past-due accounts, installed two new meters and replaced three faulty meters. Barfield noted that most meters are on year 26 of an expected 20-year life span and that he has started the prequalification process through the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) for a meter-replacement grant; the prequalification process may take up to one year.
Roads and maintenance: Work reported included removing fallen trees on SR-153 and local roads, installing a "DEAD END" sign on Firetower Road, driveway and culvert repairs, pothole patching on several roads, boom-mower operations and grading dirt roads. The Golden Triangle Mussel Project progressed with Kirby Site 2 completed and ongoing work at Kirby Site 1.
County management and funding: County Manager Douglas Jamieson announced Hazard Mitigation meetings scheduled for March 16 and April 20 at 6:30 p.m. at the community center, listed proposed state legislation of potential interest (HB 1116; HR 1243 — Georgia Next Generation 9-1-1 Fund; HB 1285; HB 868), said the MFRE-911 lawsuit is still underway, and noted the HVAC bid opening set for March 31. Jamieson also provided current available-funds balances across SPLOST, General Fund, TSPLOST, Water Expense, LMIG, Sanitation, Reserve and FLOST.
