CLARKESVILLE, Ga. — Fire calls in Demorest may now automatically dispatch crews from both Habersham County and Cornelia under a new agreement approved by county commissioners.
The Habersham County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the automatic-aid agreement during its Monday, Sept. 21, meeting. Commissioners also acted on airport planning, engineering and municipal animal control agreements.
Habersham County Emergency Management Agency Director Jeff Adams said Cornelia previously had a similar arrangement with the Demorest Fire Department. The county assumed responsibility for providing fire protection within Demorest on Jan. 1.
Under the new agreement, certain fire-related calls within the city can automatically dispatch both Cornelia and Habersham County firefighters. Adams said the agreement will provide additional resources and benefit both jurisdictions.
Airport agreements separated
Commissioners also approved two amended master agreements with Kimley-Horn. One covers airport planning services, while the other covers engineering and design work.
County Attorney Donnie Holden said the county initially bid the services separately but believed it could use a single master agreement because Kimley-Horn was selected for both.
The Georgia Department of Transportation required the county to separate the planning and engineering agreements, forcing officials to return them to the commission for approval.
The airport planning agreement covers five years. Commissioners approved both agreements without objection.
Animal control cases moving to city courts
Commissioners unanimously approved amendments to animal control agreements with Alto, Baldwin, Cornelia, Demorest and Mount Airy.
County Manager Tim Sims said animal control cases originating within those municipalities will now be prosecuted as municipal cases in the respective city courts. Previously, the cases were handled as county matters through Magistrate Court.
The change will not affect the animal control services the county provides to the cities. Sims said moving the cases to municipal courts could streamline the process and help the county’s animal control operation.
Clarkesville has not yet approved its amendment. Sims said the city is undergoing a transition involving its city manager and is expected to consider the agreement at its next meeting.
Jail, road and emergency system updates
Sims also briefed commissioners on several county projects and operations.
Bidding for the county’s new jail closed Aug. 27. County officials are scheduled to meet with the project designer Sept. 30 to finalize plans. Rather than begin with an entirely new design, the county plans to modify plans developed in 2018 and 2019.
Sims said the county also completed its transition to a new emergency alert system after its previous provider shut down following a cyberattack. The county transferred approximately 2,600 existing subscribers to the new system.
Four county employees recently completed cybersecurity incident-response training at Texas A&M University. The Federal Emergency Management Agency and Department of Homeland Security funded the training at no cost to the county.
The county is also implementing an online citizen engagement portal. The system will allow residents to report road problems and submit complaints electronically.
In addition, officials are exploring a secure artificial intelligence platform designed to keep county information within a protected environment. Sims said the county is awaiting a proposal before deciding whether to proceed.
The county’s 2026 Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant repaving project is approximately 95% complete, with crews working through the remaining punch-list items. Habersham County also received approval for a $265,000 state grant to restripe 35.8 miles of roads. Sims said the grant does not require a local match.
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