County Commissioner's Office

County Talk
By
Lamar Paris - Commissioner

SPLOST questions continued

Q. What public safety  vehicles will be needed in the future through the SPLOST sales tax.  I thought we had enough fire engines.
A. We do have enough fire engines for right now.  However, depending on our future population growth and emergency call volume , it is possible  that we may need an additional fire engine or emergency rescue vehicle  within the next six years, the period that our SPLOST covers. 

Q. Can Sheriff patrol vehicles be purchased with the SPLOST funds? 
A. Yes.  We have not been able to do this in the past, but will be able to with the new SPLOST and it could save us a significant amount of general tax funds.  We are currently on a five year replacement cycle with four to five patrol vehicles being replaced each year because of high mileage and maintenance cost.  In order to help keep our general fund budget as low as possible,  the Sheriff has worked with us to trim cost by purchasing  some used patrol vehicles each year.   However, no matter how much we cut back, there will always  be a need for replacement  patrol vehicles and it will be much better to purchase them with SPLOST sales tax funds than property tax money.  This will save the taxpayers a significant amount of property tax money over the next six years.

The same occurs with ambulances.  While Union General Hospital operates the ambulance service, the county contributes annually to its operation.  The option of purchasing an ambulance with SPLOST sales tax money would be considered by most to be much more favorable than using  property taxes for the same purpose.  

Q.  What public safety facilities will be funded by SPLOST? 
A.  One of the most pressing will be the adding on to our main fire station.  This will be a relatively small addition, but one that can be paid for with SPLOST sales tax instead of property tax.  The current headquarters building that houses the computers, radios, offices and living quarters for the firemen is in need of some remodeling which will mainly include extending the basement for additional and improved sleeping quarters and to add space over the basement for a training/meeting room. 

Q.  Why are training facilities needed for the fire department?
A.  Volunteer firemen, supplementing our paid staff, are a major function of our fire department, and are constantly required to have additional training. Currently they are having to look for locations for this training in different parts of the county. This requires moving of equipment and supplies each time. Providing them a permanent location set up specifically for their training needs will help insure that the county has an adequate number of volunteer firemen (firewomen)  in the future, which will be of great benefit to all our citizens.

We will also need to add one small sub station in Suches to adequately cover the area near Lake Winfield Scott and Cooper Creek Rd.  We do not have other specific facilities  in mind, but should a need come up in the next six years, we might have additional funds available through SPLOST without having to utilize property tax funds.

Q.  Are there other purposes for this public safety training room?
A.  Yes.  One of the most important functions will be that during a community emergency, either due to hurricanes, tornados, floods or other similar situations or  medical epidemics, the training room will be used for an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to coordinate all emergency officials and operations including  Georgia and Federal Emergency Management Agencies (GEMA and FEMA).

SPLOST questions to be continued next week

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