At their March work session, the City of Demorest voted to end their talks with Habersham County on a city-county fire department merger. The city council unanimously voted to no longer discuss a merger with Habersham County’s fire services, agreeing that the city’s current fire department suits the city’s needs.
Shortly before the vote, Mayor Rick Austin noted that the merger would impart more taxes on the citizens of Demorest for “things our citizens already get.” Councilmen Shawn Allen shared that he was opposed to the merger as well, saying he believed the current fire safety infrastructure in Demorest “suits the citizens and the needs that we have for the city.”
The council expressed their gratitude to the county for their work on the presentations and proposals they offered the city but echoed Councilman Nathan Davis’s remarks that it is “not the right time” for the city and county to further pursue a merger. Davis encouraged the city council to open talks with the county on the possibility of receiving fire services from the county in January.
This month, according to Demorest Fire Cheif Ken Ranalli, the Demorest Fire Department responded to 110 calls. “This sends a very distinct message to our [fire] department and our firefighters that they can be reliant [on the city], that their job is stable, and that we’re behind them,” Mayor Austin said.
You can view the livestreamed meeting here.
