Hardeeville council approves first reading to provide fire, EMS for southern Jasper County

Hardeeville’s City Council on June 22 passed on first reading Ordinance 2026-06-22A, authorizing the city to enter a contractual relationship with Jasper County so the city will provide fire, rescue and emergency medical services to parts of unincorporated southern Jasper County.

"Through cooperation with another governmental entity, we can provide as good or better public safety services with better response times for a cheaper cost," City staff attorney Mr. Gruber told the council. He said the plan—referred to in staff materials as Project Phoenix—moves responsibility for those southern parcels to Hardeeville while preserving service at existing stations and equipment.

Mr. Gruber said the county will pay 100% of the personnel, equipment and supply costs the city incurs providing the service, and that title to equipment at existing county stations (including Levy and Ballenger Hill Road stations) will be transferred to the city and facilities leased for a dollar per year. "It will not result in increased cost to Hardeeville residents," he said, and staff said phase one begins July 1.

Supporters on council framed the arrangement as cooperative rather than a territorial change. "This is not a takeover of territory, but an expansion of service coverage improving response times to a rapidly growing city," said one council member during discussion.

The ordinance passed on first reading by voice vote. The ordinance description before council authorizes the city manager to execute related documents to implement the contract with Jasper County.

Next steps identified by staff include finalizing the contract documents and executing the agreements with Jasper County; the transcript records the first-reading approval but does not specify a date for second reading or full execution of the agreement.