Local Government

Statesboro’s proposed FY2026 budget uses internal loans to fill a $2.3 million gap in the city’s fire fund without raising property taxes. City Manager Charles Penny said the budget remains balanced, with strong reserves and continued investment in staffing, infrastructure, and essential services.

Public servants in Georgia will soon have more investment options for their retirement funds, thanks to a new law raising the cap on alternative investments.

The Bulloch County Board of Education celebrated REACH Scholars in a reception before the meeting and presented each graduate with a cord to wear at graduation. The board reviewed the 2026 fiscal year budget and approved bus purchases and repairs of schools damaged in Hurricane Helene.

Georgia has taken a major step toward equitable employment with the passage of Senate Bill 55, the “Dignity and Pay Act,” which will phase out the subminimum wage for workers with disabilities by 2027.

At the May 8 Kiwanis Club meeting, Bulloch County Fire Training Chief Mitch Sikes provided an in-depth update on the department’s expansion, staffing efforts, and the county’s upcoming transition to reclaim fire service in the Statesboro-area district. Sikes addressed concerns about insurance ratings, infrastructure planning, and intergovernmental cooperation, assuring residents that service will remain uninterrupted: “If you call, we’re coming.”

Mayor Jonathan McCollar clarified during the City Council meeting that the City of Statesboro has no plans to build a homeless shelter downtown, pushing back on misinformation surrounding the purpose of a newly formed ad hoc committee. The committee, created to study housing instability and transitional homelessness, will assess local needs and recommend solutions, not propose immediate infrastructure projects.

Gov. Brian Kemp signed Georgia’s $37.7 billion fiscal year 2026 budget on Friday, highlighting major investments in education, prison staffing, and public safety while emphasizing fiscal restraint.

The Ogeechee Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office is laying the groundwork for a new Pre-Trial Diversion program aimed at reducing caseloads, promoting rehabilitation, and creating long-term benefits for both participants and the justice system.

Bulloch County commissioners tabled a proposed $84 million bond issuance to fund Phase 1 of a major jail expansion, citing the need for more time to review financial details. The delay followed a detailed presentation outlining two financing scenarios and concerns raised by Commissioner Nick Newkirk about public transparency and long-term costs.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Bulloch County Commissioners tabled a proposed $84 million bond plan for a jail expansion, citing the need for more time to review the complex financing structure. The wide-ranging agenda also included approvals for new recreation land in Portal, storm cleanup costs, and reallocations of millions in SPLOST and TSPLOST funds.