The City of Statesboro will host a Public Information Meeting on Monday, February 9, at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers to provide an overview of a fire service fee being considered as a possible future funding mechanism for fire protection services within the city limits.
Statesboro is exploring this potential fee as part of a broader effort to ensure long-term, reliable funding for the Statesboro Fire Department as it expands fire protection services, addresses future equipment and operational needs, and maintains the high level of service the community expects.
The city has contracted with Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC), a planning and engineering firm with offices across the Southeast, to conduct research and assist in evaluating a potential fire service fee as a long-term funding mechanism for fire protection and emergency response services in the community.
The meeting will include a presentation explaining what a fire service fee is, why the City is evaluating this option, and how a fee could be structured and applied. City staff and representatives from the city’s consulting firm will be available to answer questions and receive public input.
The proposed fire service fee would be structured similarly to the city’s other service-based fees and would be based on property characteristics such as building area and land use. The intent is to better align funding with the cost of maintaining readiness and emergency response across the community.
Fire Chief Tim Grams emphasized the importance of transparency and fairness as the City considers options.
“Fire protection is a core service, and we want to be upfront with the community about how it’s funded and why the city is evaluating a fire service fee,” said Grams. “A fee structure can be a more equitable approach than relying solely on property taxes because it focuses on service demand and the costs of providing readiness and response, rather than property value alone. We want residents and business owners to come hear the information directly, ask questions, and share their concerns before any decisions are made.”
Consultant Ed DiTommaso of Goodwyn Mills Cawood said the meeting is intended to help residents better understand how fire service fees are typically designed and evaluated.
“This meeting is about making sure people have clear, straightforward information and a chance to ask questions,” said DiTommaso. “We’ll walk through how fire service fees are commonly designed, what factors are typically used, and what the process looks like before anything is finalized.”
The Public Information Meeting is open to all residents, business owners, and stakeholders. The city encourages anyone with questions or concerns to attend, learn more about the proposal, and share feedback. City staff plan to host multiple information meetings before the Statesboro City Council considers adopting the fire service fee later in the spring. If approved, the fee would go into effect on July 1, 2026.
