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Residents urge Oconee County Council to keep daily fire‑station staffing; Council appoints Tony McAlister to advisory commission
Summary
During public comment, residents opposed proposed changes to daily staffing at county fire stations; Council later appointed Tony McAlister as the District I representative to the Oconee County Fire Service Advisory Commission and unanimously adjourned.
Several residents spoke during the Feb. 17 public‑comment period urging Oconee County Council to maintain daily staffing levels at county fire stations and to preserve current fire‑service practices.
Mr. Larry Richards addressed Council “in opposition to changes being proposed by the Fire Service Advisory Commission to current daily staffing at fire stations within the County,” and Mr. Weston Richards echoed those remarks. The minutes record that the speakers urged Council to resist the proposed changes; no formal response other than Chairman Matthew Durham addressing the commenters is recorded in the minutes.
Separately during public comment, Mr. Devoe Blackston raised concerns about current Planning and Zoning ordinances related to subdivisions, and Ms. Wanda Shehan requested that Council issue a proclamation honoring the late Reverend Jesse Jackson. Chairman Matthew Durham addressed the commenters during Council Members’ Comments; the minutes do not record additional staff actions or outcomes tied to the public comments.
Council entered executive session at 6:21 p.m. under §30‑4‑70(a) to receive legal advice and discuss potential contractual matters regarding utilities/infrastructure projects; to receive legal advice about real property development incentives for historic properties; to discuss a personnel matter regarding board and commission applications and operational requirements; and to receive legal advice on health care/employee benefits contracts. The council returned from executive session at 8:38 p.m.
After the executive session, Mr. Elliott nominated Mr. Tony McAlister for the District I seat on the Oconee County Fire Service Advisory Commission; the nomination was approved unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:39 p.m.
The minutes and meeting video are available at www.oconeesc.com; the minutes do not record specific follow‑up actions in response to the public comments about staffing or further details from the executive session.
