The Bulloch County Board of Commissioners took swift action Thursday night, April 17, 2025 in a called meeting centered around public safety, infrastructure readiness, intergovernmental collaboration, and fiscal responsibility.
With the county preparing for the potential end of its fire services agreement with the City of Statesboro on July 1, commissioners approved two critical measures: the acquisition of property for a new fire station and the emergency authorization of a construction contract to ensure that the facility is operational in time.
The agenda also included updates on fire department staffing, groundwater sustainability efforts, budget planning, and community recognition, all of which painted a picture of a local government addressing both short-term service needs and long-term growth.
A New Fire Station: Land Purchase Secured in Critical Southern Corridor
The evening’s headline item was the Commission’s unanimous approval of a Sales and Purchase Agreement with R&R 529, LLC, to acquire a 4.3-acre parcel at 494 Elmer Phillips Road. The property, which sits off Highway 67 just past the Kiwanis Fairgrounds, will serve as a new fire station site designed to enhance service in a rapidly growing section of the county that has previously been underserved. The site is 2.3 miles from Statesboro Fire Departments Station 2 located at 1533 Fair Road near East Georgia Regional Medical Center.
The deal is valued at $850,000, and although R&R 529 does not yet own the land, they hold a contract to purchase it from the current landowner. The county’s purchase is contingent on that deal closing, which is scheduled for April 24, 2025.
County Attorney Jeff Akins outlined the contingency clause in the purchase agreement and emphasized the urgency and necessity of securing the property. “This is a strategic acquisition that enables the county to meet public safety obligations should the transition in fire service responsibilities become necessary on July 1,” Akins said.
Fire Chief Ben Tapley echoed the importance of the property’s location, stating that it fits within the department’s long-range coverage map and allows for future expansion. “When we first began evaluating where we needed to be, this corridor stood out,” Tapley said. “The new site fills in the southern gap between our city-based response units and rural needs stretching into Class 10-rated areas. It’s solving a present problem and giving us the infrastructure backbone for 10 to 20 years of growth.”
Emergency Construction Contract Approved for Fast-Track Build Out
With the land secured, the Commission also moved quickly to approve a $175,965 construction contract with Hawk Construction, LLC and Smith Steel Structures for the build out of a fire station structure. The building will be a steel-framed apparatus bay capable of housing fire trucks and support vehicles. It will not initially include living quarters or administrative space, a decision made to allow for rapid deployment.
Under normal circumstances, a project of this type would require a public bidding process under Georgia’s Public Works Law. However, due to the July 1 deadline and potential public safety disruption, the county invoked an emergency exemption permitted under the law. The exemption allows local governments to bypass the sealed bid process when a delay would pose an imminent danger to health or safety or threaten the loss of essential services.
“This fire station qualifies on all counts,” Akins explained. “The county may soon be the sole provider of fire suppression services in the district, and without this station in place, there’s no way we could maintain the current level of coverage.”
Interim County Manager Randy Tillman added that few contractors could take on the project at such short notice. “We spoke to multiple builders,” Tillman said. “Many said they couldn’t commit or didn’t have the staff. Hawk was available, and they’re also the same contractor who worked on Station 3 in Register. We know their work and trust their ability to deliver on schedule.”
Chief Tapley outlined the planned construction phases: initial site prep by county Public Works crews, foundation pouring, steel framing, and equipment delivery. “This station isn’t about comfort or polish — it’s about readiness. It will house engines, which matters on day one,” Tapley said.
Fire Department Staffing Accelerates with High-Quality Recruits
Perhaps the most encouraging news of the evening came from Chief Tapley’s staffing report. The county has hired 22 of the 37 positions authorized for the fire department’s expanded operations — a pace well ahead of projections made just two months ago.
Staffing progress includes:
- 9 new firefighter recruits are already in academy training
- 5 lateral hires who are certified and ready for duty after onboarding
- 2 captains and 4 lieutenants joining in early May
- Upcoming interviews for 2 more lieutenants, 2 FAOs (Fire Apparatus Operators), and 7 firefighters
Tapley described the latest group of hires as “the strongest he’s ever seen,” emphasizing that the six leadership hires alone bring over 100 combined years of firefighting experience to Bulloch County.
“These are people who’ve worked in large systems, responded to major emergencies, and know what it takes to operate a professional fire service,” Tapley said. “And they’re coming here not just for a paycheck but to help us build something meaningful.”
Commissioners praised the recruitment effort and noted that such rapid progress adds confidence to the county’s ability to transition fire services without disruption if needed.
City-County Automatic Aid Fire Agreement Still in Limbo
Despite the progress, a key piece remains uncertain: the long-term fire services agreement with the City of Statesboro. County officials confirmed that talks with the city have resumed but have not yet produced a formal agreement.
Chief Tapley shared that he re-sent a proposed automatic aid agreement earlier that day after discovering the original email was sent to an outdated address. The agreement, modeled after contracts with neighboring municipalities, would establish a protocol for mutual response between county and city units.
“The city says, ‘Call us, and we’ll come,’ and I don’t doubt their sincerity,” Tapley said. “But come July 1, we need that guarantee in writing. Response times and jurisdictional boundaries matter in emergencies, and the best way to protect everyone is through a formal agreement.”
Commissioners agreed and reiterated their openness to continued collaboration with city leaders.
Budget Workshop Scheduled as SPLOST Surplus Grows
In financial updates, Finance Officer Christy King reported that the land acquisition and fire station construction would be paid for using interest earned from SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) funds, not the county’s general fund.
King announced a budget workshop scheduled for April 29 at 8:30 a.m., during which commissioners will review cost projections and department requests and begin shaping next year’s financial roadmap.
King added that SPLOST 2019 had outperformed revenue estimates, creating a surplus that could be allocated to further infrastructure and public safety needs. “The growth we’re seeing in sales tax revenue is a direct result of the growth in our community,” she said. “We’re fortunate to have the financial flexibility to make these investments without dipping into general operations.”
Groundwater Sustainability Program Gains Public Momentum
Representing the Bryan-Bulloch Groundwater Sustainability Program (GSP), Interium County Engineer Ron Nelson updated on registration and outreach activities. The program, launched in partnership with Bryan County, seeks to assess and monitor groundwater usage in areas potentially affected by recent industrial and environmental shifts.
So far, the program has:
- Sent out letters to 1,039 property owners in the affected area
- Registered 76 wells voluntarily
- Received 25 calls through its 1-888-353-8020 hotline
- Held a successful public workshop in Bryan County on April 14 attended by 45 residents, with 9 on-site well registrations
Nelson emphasized that property owners do not need full technical details to register their wells. “Just give us your name, location, and general setup. You can always fill in the rest later,” he said. “Participation is what matters most at this stage.”
Telecommunicators Honored During Public Safety Recognition Week
As part of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, commissioners honored the county’s 911 dispatchers, describing them as the “unseen heroes” of emergency response.
“When a resident calls in their worst moment, it’s the dispatchers who answer first,” one commissioner said. “They keep calm, get help moving, and guide people through fear and chaos. They don’t wear badges or uniforms but save lives daily.”
Chief Tapley and Emergency Services staff were commended for organizing meals and recognition events at the dispatch center throughout the week.
Staff Acknowledged for Hard Work During Transition
Several commissioners used their closing remarks to thank key staff who have taken on increased responsibilities during a season of transition. County Manager Randy Tillman, Finance Officer Christy King, and Chief Tapley received special recognition for balancing their core duties with the added burden of managing fire transition planning, recruitment, budgeting, and emergency preparedness.
“There are people sitting in this room right now doing the work of three departments,” said Chairman David Bennett. “We don’t take that for granted. This community doesn’t take it for granted. You’re the reason we’re able to meet at the moment.”
Looking Ahead
With the new fire station site secured, construction on track, and staffing ramping up faster than expected, Bulloch County is laying the foundation for a historic shift in public safety delivery. As negotiations with the City of Statesboro continue, the county remains committed to ensuring uninterrupted, high-quality fire protection for all residents.
The next official action will take place at the budget workshop on April 29, when commissioners will examine the financial impact to Bulloch County tax payers to fund these ambitious efforts in the future.
