The Bulloch County Board of Commissioners hosted a Town Hall meeting on Tuesday evening at the Jones-Love Cultural Center at Luetta Moore Park. This is the first town Hall meeting the Commissioners have held since their last series in 2022. The event provided residents an opportunity to engage directly with commissioners, raise concerns, and ask questions about county government decisions.
Opening Remarks
Chairman David Bennett opened the meeting by emphasizing that the purpose was informal yet important, a chance for the public to have transparent conversations with their elected officials. He noted that while only a two residents had signed up to speak, however anyone present was welcome to participate.
Bennett also made it clear that while commissioners were open to discussion, detailed facts and figures would not be readily available, as county staff had been asked not to attend. Instead, the focus was on honest dialogue, with follow-ups planned for questions requiring more research.
To keep the atmosphere light, he pointed out the refreshments provided by the Bulloch County Correctional Institute's job training program, jokingly calling them "fancy Lunchables."
With that, he turned the floor over to residents.
District Representation & Elections
Cathy Dixon raised concerns about county districting, arguing that it is difficult for candidates to campaign countywide and that voters would be better served if commissioners were elected by specific regions, similar to the Board of Education model.
Commissioner Anthony Simmons explained that the current district system was created through class-action lawsuits by the NAACP in response to census data showing under representation of minorities. A judge drew the District 1A and 1B lines to ensure greater minority representation.
Chairman Bennett acknowledged the concerns, noting that four of the five commissioners live within a 10-mile radius, while District 2 covers a much larger portion of the county. However, he stressed that any changes would require state and federal approval, as redistricting comes with legal complexities.
Commissioner Nick Newkirk and Commissioner Ray Davis both agreed that better regional representation is needed, with Davis noting that the Stilson area has lacked representation for over 40 years.
Simmons added that while districts exist, all commissioners serve the entire county, and he regularly assists residents outside of his district.
Bennett emphasized that residents in District 2 technically have their representatives, they are also served by all commissioners and the chairman.
Commissioner Ray Mosley also reminded citizens that this wasn't the first Town Hall meeting that the commissioners have had, they have had previous ones before. He also stated that he hopes that the commissioners will continue to do these meetings.
Long Range Transportation Plan
Dixon raised concerns about the Bulloch County Long-Range Transportation Plan, questioning the prioritization of projects and allocation of funds. She criticized the plan for including a $7 million multi-use trail and five sidewalk projects, some on streets with few or no residents, while road paving projects were listed as low priority. Dixon also took issue with roundabouts, arguing that four-way stop signs would be more cost-effective and questioning why land could be acquired for roundabouts but not for road improvements.
Dixon strongly opposed the roundabouts included in the Bulloch County Long-Range Transportation Plan, arguing that they are unnecessary, costly, and less effective than four-way stop signs. She questioned why the county is able to acquire land for roundabouts but struggles to do so for road paving projects, calling the logic inconsistent. Dixon specifically pointed out a planned roundabout at Highway 301 and Clito Road, arguing that the county should instead push the state to four-lane the highway, which she believes should have been done 40 years ago. Her criticism highlighted a broader concern that infrastructure funds are not being allocated to the county’s most pressing transportation needs.
Additionally, she opposed a proposed county transit system, stating that taxpayers should not be responsible for subsidizing transportation for workers when most residents pay for their own vehicles and insurance. She urged commissioners to re-evaluate spending priorities and focus on essential road repairs before investing in non-critical projects.
While the commissioners did not dispute Dixon’s points, they explained that funding sources like T-SPLOST and state grants come with specific conditions, meaning that some projects receive funding before others based on government funding restrictions rather than local priorities.
Fire Protection & Five-Mile District Concerns
A significant portion of the discussion focused on the county’s decision to terminate its fire protection agreement with the City of Statesboro.
Bill Emily was among several who questioned the decision, particularly regarding its impact on home insurance rates for those in the five-mile fire district.
- Emily noted that Statesboro Fire has an ISO rating of 2, while Bulloch County Fire holds a rating of 4 or 4Y.
- He cited insurance estimates indicating that premiums could increase by 28–45% for homeowners in the five-mile district.
- He criticized the county for ending the agreement before securing an equivalent fire protection system.
Chairman Bennett defended the decision, explaining that:
- The move was based on financial sustainability, not the ISO rating.
- The fire agreement cost the county $2.6 million in FY 2025 and was projected to rise to $3.4 million by 2028.
- This amount would have represented nearly 46% of the city's fire budget, making it unsustainable.
Commissioner Simmons emphasized that this decision was not sudden, as discussions about expanding fire services to underserved areas had been ongoing for years.
Bennett revealed that the county attempted to renegotiate the agreement and offered a plan to gradually transition fire services in collaboration with the city.
To address coverage concerns, Bennett outlined the county’s fire protection plan moving forward:
- A new engine company will be stationed at Grady Street EMS, ensuring continued fire coverage for the five-mile district.
- A ladder truck is being finalized in Florida and will be stationed at the Clito Fire Station.
- A new fire station will be built in the five-mile district, with efforts already underway to acquire land.
He acknowledged that the county’s ISO rating would remain at 4 temporarily, but the county intends to request an ISO reassessment once more infrastructure is in place.
Residents pushed back, arguing that the county should have expanded fire coverage sooner, rather than using five-mile district funds to subsidize fire protection for underserved areas.
Some suggested implementing impact fees, charges on new developments to fund infrastructure like fire stations, roads, and water systems—instead of redistributing funds from the five-mile district.
Commissioners agreed to explore impact fees further but noted that past county leadership had previously rejected them.
Communication Issues & Public Awareness
Several residents criticized the county’s lack of communication, saying it was difficult for residents to find information about government decisions.
Dixon argued that while citizens have a responsibility to stay informed, the county must improve its communication methods. She compared the situation to a church bulletin, stating that people cannot participate in decisions they don’t know about.
Chairman Bennett agreed that improvements are needed but noted that modern communication challenges make it difficult to reach all residents.
- Some people don’t read the newspaper.
- Some don’t use Facebook or other social media.
- Some don’t watch TV news.
He suggested that even using pigeons and scarecrows wouldn’t guarantee everyone gets the message.
Lisha Nevil highlighted that many farmers and rural residents do not use Facebook, further complicating outreach efforts.
Bill Emily suggested that the county establish a single, centralized information hub so residents know where to find official updates.
Waste Management & Convenience Center Issues
Residents raised concerns about the condition of county-run waste convenience centers, citing:
- Litter on roads near sites.
- Security concerns, including people scavenging in dumpsters.
- Out-of-county users dumping trash.
Commissioner Nick Newkrik stated that they are installing security cameras at several sites, particularly Cypress Lake, which has been a major issue.
A resident also pointed out that county garbage trucks frequently spill trash along Oakfield Drive and North Main Street. They suggested requiring trucks to cover their loads with tarps after leaving the landfill to prevent littering.
Retail Expansion & Development Authority Efforts
A resident asked whether the Development Authority is working to attract major retailers to Bulloch County.
Commissioners confirmed that efforts are underway and that the county is actively pursuing businesses like Target.
Originally, Target had dismissed Statesboro due to its population size. However, officials presented data showing that 90-95,000 people travel into Bulloch County daily, leading Target to reconsider the area.
Final Remarks & Election Reminder
As the meeting concluded, commissioners reminded residents that early voting was underway for the March 18 election, which includes a renewal of the one-cent sales tax (T-SPLOST).
Bennett stressed that this was not a new tax but a renewal, ensuring that infrastructure projects remain funded without raising property taxes.
With that, the meeting was adjourned, with officials thanking residents for attending and encouraging continued conversation.
View the entire livestream below: