City of Statesboro speaks with residents about proposed fire fee

BULLOCH COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - Homeowners and businesses owners may have to pay a new fire service fee in Statesboro.

City leaders shared the idea during a public meeting tonight.

If passed, the new fire service fee will charge residents and businesses on a monthly basis to help fund Statesboro’s fire department and total fees are based on land usage and building size.

The proposal comes after Bulloch County Fire and Statesboro Fire ended a fire protection agreement in July of 2025.

City officials hope the fee can help with a $4,000,000 funding gap that’s due to expansion and rising costs.

“We’ve been working on this project for probably about a year and a half almost, but, the city had a funding gap and we are trying to look at innovative ways to fill that gap,” said Ed Ditommaso, a consultant on the project.

so, one of them was to raise taxes to generate money, to fill that gap, the other was to look at a fee."

At this time, no decisions have been made.

But city officials encourage residents and businesses to attend future meetings to learn more about the fee.

If passed, the first payment will be July first.