Newspaper Page Text
Page 2— Wednesday, August 2, 2023, The True Citizen
EMA asks for $550k training facility
SHELLIE SMITLEY
thetruecitizen.shellie@gmail.com
When budget talks began
July 26, EMA Director Steven
Mathews was the first depart
ment head to approach the
Board of Commissioners.
“I am requesting the com
mission to consider getting us
an actual fire training facility,”
Mathews stated.
It is mandatory that all initial
firefighter training includes
live fire exercises. Typically,
the training takes place in a
building designed to set pallets
on fire in a controlled envi
ronment. It is also mandatory
that experienced firefighters
engage in live fire exercises
annually to maintain their
certifications.
Historically, the Burke
County EMA has utilized the
fire training facility at Plant
Vogtle. However, with the con
struction of Units 3 & 4, Plant
Vogtle’s use of their facility has
nearly doubled. Additionally,
their facility is designed to fight
fires on combustible materials
on the inside of the building,
but not the building itself.
Mathews suggested the EMA
needs a 4-story building, with
the top story existing as a
platform. The building ide
ally would contain two bum-
able roofs and two floors in
which to start fires, enabling
firefighters to train for 2-story
building fires. Currently, the
Plant Vogtle facility does not
allow for that type of training,
Mathews said.
A new facility would bet
ter equip the department for
search-and-rescue exercises
as well, since the department’s
current tower wasn’t originally
designed for those activities.
Having a fire training facility
will also lend a reduced coun
ty-wide rate for fire insurance,
Mathews said.
Potentially, the Burke Coun
ty EMA would not be the only
agency to use the building.
Mathews suggested it could be
utilized by the Burke County
Sheriff’s Department for Spe
cial Response Team training.
However, he asked the BOC to
consider opening the building
as a regional resource for other
firefighting agencies as well.
Mathews said a “bid esti
mate” priced the facility at
approximately $550,000.
Mathews also pointed out he
asked the county for the fund
ing for two tankers. However,
the county’s recommended
budget included funding for
only one. Even after receiv
ing tracks ordered in FY2021,
the EMA’s fleet will consist
of three tankers that are more
than 30 years old. Mathews
urged the board to consider
County recommends $12.5
million budget for Sheriff
SHELLIE SMITLEY
thetruecitizen.shellie@gmail.com
Budget talks began July 26
after the County Manager’s
office completed preliminary
budgeting for $42,607,680 in
revenue, representing a reduc
tion of 6% in funding over the
last fiscal year.
The department with the
highest recommended increase
is the airport. The recom
mended budget this fiscal year
is $202,830, demonstrating
an increase of 964% over the
FY 2023 approved budget of
$19,060. Financial Director
Michael Wiseman attributed
the increase to obtaining fuel
and the hiring of an airport
manager. However, the county
expects to gain revenue from
fuel sales.
While Sheriff Alfonzo Wil
liams asked for $4,970,000
for the detention center, coun
ty staff have recommended
$4,244,800. Budgeted projects
include a new camera system
for $100,000 and an elec
tronic door locking system for
$200,000. If approved by the
BOC, FY 2024’s funding rep
resents a 30% increase over FY
2023’s approved $3,274,520.
Williams asked for
$9,461,333.28 for the Sheriff’s
Office, however the recom
mended budget is $8,258,990,
an 8% increase over FY 2023’s
$7,654,870.
If approved, the museum will
see a 46% increase, resulting
in $36,800.
Some of the departments
could see significant decreases.
The Hospital Authority will see
a 52% reduction in funding,
down to $3,750,000, as the
county and Burke Health enter
the final phase of the subsidies
attached to the hospital’s lease
agreement.
Animal control funding is
recommended at $621,460,
representing a decrease of 9%.
The Tax Commissioners and
Assessors offices are slated for
16% and 14% funding reduc
tions respectively.
The Judicial Center is a new
addition to the budget sum
mary, in anticipation of future
maintenance costs as the build
ing begins to age.
EMA Director Steven Mathews addressed the Board of Commissioners with a request for
new training facility July 26.
the purchase of two new tank
ers this fiscal year and then
the purchase of one tanker
in FY2024 and FY2025. The
estimated cost of a new tanker
is $400,000.
“These are gas burners,” he
said. “These are trucks that
are so old that you can’t find
parts for them anymore and in
some cases the county shop has
to fabricate parts just to keep
those trucks rolling.”
Mathews also asked the
board to consider increasing
the department’s part-time as
sistant billing clerk position to
full time.
BRINSON'S
TREE & STUMP
REMOVAL
706-526-8686
Tree & Stump Removal,
Trimming Expert, land Clearing,
Brush Cutting, Bush Hogging,
Skid Steer Work & Storm Clean Up
If
Come see a familiar face in a different place*
Brandi Farmer
Brandi has been a part of the Ford family
for years. She worked five years for
William Mizell Ford.
For deals as sweet as caady
call Brandi!
330 Frontage Road West, Sylvania 912-564-7414 www.sylvaniaford.com
Others call you customers. We call you friend.
SHELLIE SMITLEY