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Fort McAllister in Bryan County draws thousands of visitors to the area annually.

2020

bryan county, Georgia Annual Report

letters to the residents 2020 Bryan County Annual Report | commission chairman carter infinger Bryan County and our residents have been through quite a bit this year. Through it all, though, we remained strong, supported each other and our community, prioritized health and safety, and we persevered. COVID-19 came barreling down on us last March, but we faced the challenge head-on, adapting as needed. We’re now stronger because of our flexibility and willingness to band together and implement solutions. 2020 was not an easy year by any stretch, but without the cooperation and support of our citizens, local officials and leaders, it could have been a lot more difficult. Not only did we deal with an ongoing pandemic, but we still managed to address and handle the regular business and obligations of this government and those it serves. That meant altering the way we do a lot of things, but we never failed to find ways to maintain our everyday operations

while contending with countless unexpected obstacles. When the pandemic first began, a catchphrase that surfaced frequently on social media was, “We’re in this together” or #InThisTogether. For many places around the nation (and even the world), that phrase didn’t apply for very long. Once it became apparent that COVID-19 wasn’t going anywhere, people began to get fed up and were soon at each other’s throats. So much for unity. But not in Bryan County. Our residents meant it then and we mean it now. The support we offer our neighbors in this community is not conditional. I’m proud of this community, of all that it stands for, and I’m proud to call it home.

Carter Infinger

Bryan County Commission Chairman

2020 Bryan County Annual Report | Bryan County Administrator Ben Taylor The region’s growth didn’t slow because of the pandemic, and neither did we. Our government departments continued with plans to implement and complete projects, update infrastructure, improve road conditions and launch new initiatives. Bryan County Emergency Services moved in to Station 1 early in the year. It’s a first-class facility and, recently, also became home to a helicopter landing zone for medical flights. We completed a renovation on the 83-year-old courthouse in Pembroke, which looks great and restores the building to its former glory. The courtroom was updated with new furnishings and technology. Hopefully, it’s ready for another 83 years of use. The Interstate 95 interchange at Belfast Keller Road was almost completely finished in 2020 and opened in

Index

Letter to the Residents...............................................1 Bryan County’s Organizational Structure...................2 Community’s COVID-19 Response............................3 Recreation Department..............................................5 Emergency Services...............................................6-7 1

January 2021. It offers our residents a great convenience and also gives us an added element of road safety and another route when it comes to hurricane evacuations. The bulk of the work on the Highway 144 widening was completed in 2020, and it won’t be long before that project is finished, too. We also have two new roundabouts helping to keep traffic flowing along nicely. Road resurfacing was a big focus, and we’re happy to say travel conditions around the county are much better as well. We thank our residents for their support over the past year and look forward to a busy and prosperous 2021.

Ben Taylor

Bryan County Administrator

Public Works..............................................................8 Growth & Infrastructure..........................................9-11 Sheriff’s Office......................................................10-12 Finance Department.............................................13-14

bryan county’s ORGANIZATIONAL structure STAFF

county commission Ben Taylor

Leamon Holliday

County Administrator

County Attorney

STAFF Lori Tyson

Kirk Croasmun, P.E.

Chief Freddy Howell

Riley johnson

cindy reynolds

Sally shuman

Audra miller

dr. samose mays

John Rauback

County Clerk

County Engineer

Emergency Services Director

Human Resources Director

Elections Superintendent

Senior Services Director

Community Development Director

Recreation Director

Finance Director

Records Retention Customer Service

Engineering Water & Sewer GIS & Mapping

Fire EMS EMA

Personnel

Elections Registration

Senior Citizen Centers Senior Recreation

Zoning Building Inspections Code Enforcement

Parks Recreation

Accounts Receivable Accounts Payable Information Technology

ELECTED Rebecca Crowe

robert russell

Billy Tomlinson

Billy Reynolds

Carol Ann coleman

Mark Crowe

Don Montgomery

Clerk of Superior Court

Chief Superior Court Judge

State Court Judge

Public Court Judge

Tax Commissioner

Sheriff

Solicitor General

E-911 • Jail

APPOINTED christy balbo

Carolyn shervette

Juvenile Court Judge

Chief Magistrate Judge

INDEPENDENT BOARDS liz lynn

anna chafin

wendy sims

Chief Appraiser

CEO - Bryan County Development Authority

Director - Bryan County Family Connections

From left, back: District 3 Commissioner Dallas Daniel, District 2 Commissioner Wade Price, District 1 Commissioner Noah Covington and District 4 Commissioner Brad Brookshire. From left, front: District 5 Commissioner Gene Wallace and Commission Chairman Carter Infinger.

COVID-19

COmMUNITY Response C ounty

prioritized safety while conducting business in new ways

When it became apparent in spring 2020 that COVID-19 would pose a serious and imminent threat to the country, governments everywhere sprang into action to protect their citizens and minimize the risk of exposure. Bryan County, of course, was no exception and, in many ways, they went above and beyond by starting to develop a plan before state mandates came down, taking extra precautions, and going to great lengths to keep residents informed. Bryan County Emergency Services (BCES) closely monitored the plight of COVID-19 for some time while quietly developing plans they thought might be needed. Their forward thinking and proactivity made things easier on county officials once it became clear that drastic and important actions needed to be taken. BCES’s proactive thinking marked the beginning of a long line of behindthe-scenes decisions and actions taken by area officials that have helped lower Bryan County’s risk and assisted the community in staying organized in its approach to deal with all components of the ongoing pandemic. This meant finding new and innovative ways Photo courtesy of Reflections Media Communications to continue conducting business in a safe and Thanks to the Bryan County Recreation Department’s “Returning to Play” effective manner. The departments that were able guidelines, young athletes and families are again able to safely enjoy sports moved a lot of their operations and procedures and recreational opportunities. online, bulking up their webpages, adding userfriendly options and working tirelessly toward a “county employees jumped right in and more digital approach. One such department, Community immediately started doing what was Development, transitioned to online-only options needed to keep the local government for services such as plan and permit submissions, scheduling inspections, and applications for items operating smoothly and efficiently. such as zoning requests, new water and sewer I commend our department heads, service, and utility disconnections. The department staff, first responders, local leaders already had recently installed a specialized digital portal for the online submission of applications — everyone who offered support and permits, and the availability of that new and had a hand in maintaining the feature is popular with those seeking services. excellent level of service we’re proud The implementation of that portal allowed the department to better tend its customers and made to offer.” for an uninterrupted continuation of services during — Bryan County Administrator Ben Taylor a time of uncertainty. The county redoubled its cleanliness and sanitation efforts, ensuring all buildings and facilities were disinfected on a regular basis. Hand sanitizer stations were installed, along with signs reminding staffers and visitors to wear masks, practice social distancing and wash their hands frequently. To allow residents, employees and

community response elected leaders to continue with their duties while staying safe, Bryan County officials found ways to continue holding important meetings and events, including elections and commission meetings. For awhile this meant meeting virtually through Zoom, but eventually required reserving larger spaces for such gatherings. Though the lockdown was eventually lifted, in-person meetings still required larger venues to permit social distancing. Commission meetings and voting were held in gymnasiums, which provided ample space and air circulation. The venues were routinely sanitized and cleaned by crews committed to maintaining the highest possible cleanliness standards. In some areas of the nation, the onset of COVID-19 left health-care providers concerned about the country-wide shortage of personal protective equipment available for first responders. But according to Bryan County Administrator Ben Taylor, Bryan County’s staff pulled together as a team to make sure their employees on the front lines had the necessary gear to keep themselves protected from unseen dangers as they tended to the public. With the combined efforts of the Finance Department, Human Resources, and BCES, the county always remained ahead of the curve in providing its first responders with personal protective equipment. Whenever possible, the county tried to lend support to neighbors and those who reached out for help. The Coastal Health District (CHD), looking for a location to set up a testing site, turned to the county for assistance and were immediately provided with everything they needed to get up and running, according to CHD Nurse Manager Laurie Mehlhorn. “First, we had a discussion with our health district folks and the Bryan County officials, like Ben (Taylor), and almost right away, they had us set up in Henderson Park. Bryan County Emergency Services brought over the Blackhawk mobile command vehicle for us, which was wonderful on the scorching summer days because it had air conditioning

Photo courtesy of the Coastal Health District

Mercer University medical students and Coastal Health District employees work at a specimen collection site.

and refrigeration, plus Wi-Fi, which was helpful. We were up and running with testing there in no time,” Mehlhorn said. In fact, Bryan County’s reaction and subsequent plans to contend with COVID-19 and help the community were so efficient that state-level leaders took notice and commended local officials. When Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp created a committee in April consisting of 15 county commissioners and three county administrators to advise him, Bryan County’s Taylor was one of the three administrators named to the panel. Together, the members provided the governor with recommended actions to address issues and concerns stemming from the pandemic as they related to county governments. As restrictions were loosened and residents began to mask up and venture out occasionally, it became clear that recreation opportunities were sorely missed and needed to be made available again. Without missing a beat, the Bryan County Recreation Department devised a phased “Returning to Play” initiative that brought back some sports while implementing guidelines and rules aimed at keeping young athletes

and their families safe on and off the fields. Certain procedures were put in place for every setting, scenario and participant, including players, spectators, coaches, referees and recreation department employees. Rules were set when it came to drop-off and pick-up procedures, practices, games and what to do in the event of a positive COVID-19 case. Laying all the ground work and planning extensively paid off as young athletes were again able to enjoy participating in sports, spending time outdoors and safely interacting with other children. “As a whole, I’m so please with the county staff’s resilience, positive attitude and commitment to keeping residents safe during the pandemic,” Bryan County Administrator Ben Taylor said. “All county employees jumped right in and immediately started doing what was needed to keep the local government operating smoothly and efficiently. I commend our department heads, staff, first responders, local leaders — everyone who offered support and had a hand in maintaining the excellent level of service we’re proud to offer.”

Recreation Department

Recreational opportunities abound for bryan county residents Newly mulched playgrounds provide the county’s children with a safe place to enjoy the outdoors.

Parks and Recreation, under the leadership of Dr. Samose Mays, saw a participation increase in fall baseball and fall volleyball. This was due to the department missing out on these activities in the spring when COVID-19 struck. Participants were excited when the community successfully made it out of lockdown and into “Return to Play” procedures for fall 2020. The department also expanded its rental capabilities and welcomed more travel baseball, softball, basketball, and football. Bryan County was also the host site in 2020 for the Georgia Recreation and Park Association State Basketball and Football. Henderson Park is now a host site for United States Tennis Association men’s and women’s tennis. The department made several facility updates such as new scoreboards, safety dog-leash A gift from T-Mobile made a new agility course possible at the Bryan County Bark Park. signage, new fencing at the Bottom Baseball Complex, improved LED lighting, and eight new pitchers mounds for baseball fields throughout the county. New netting was added to several batting cages. Three major-league style banners were added on the outfield fences to show the distance of the baseball and softball fields at every location. A gift from T-Mobile brought a new agility course at the Bryan County Park Bark Park. Facilities underwent safety renovations in offices, concessions areas, restrooms, and gyms with new hand sanitizer machines and safety glass added to protect employees and participants. The department added new mulch to all playgrounds within the county at all recreational facilities. Sixty small trash can receptacles were placed around the county’s parks to help with trash inside and outside of playing fields. Construction will also begin soon on a new gym and two new turf fields at Henderson Park. The gym will include two courts and multiple adjustable rims. The turf fields will be designed for multi-use for sports such as football, flag football, soccer, and lacrosse. This addition will help to serve several thriving programs and also increase the county’s opportunities to host more GRPA state tournaments in the future.

Fire Station 1 in South Bryan County is now home to a helicopter landing zone for emergency medical flights.

Bryan county emergency services

adapt & persevere

Department focuses on COVID-19 safety, equipment and facility upgrades, and procuring grant funds

PANDEMIC MANDATES NEW PROTOCOLS 2020 was an incredible year of growth for Bryan County Emergency Services (BCES). Under the leadership of Chief Freddy Howell, the department was introduced to a global pandemic that is still being battled a year later. During the year, as a response to the pandemic, BCES developed new operational and response procedures that will continue to be utilized. Personnel now conduct temperature checks before their shifts. Personal protective equipment is worn on every emergency response. After each call is completed we decontaminate all equipment, units, stations, and personnel. We also acquired several specially equipped, enhanced ambulances that are specially designed to help us treat and transport patients who might be suffering from COVID-19. With growth comes needs — especially in public safety — and to help offset the need for a tax increase, BCES staff continue to apply for and receive various grants for funding of the department’s needs. To date, BCES has assisted in bringing in several million dollars, through grant funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, Georgia Forestry, Georgia Trauma Commission and other agencies.

BCES - BY THE NUMBERS

EMS calls 2020 total: 4,616 2019 total: 4,277

Fire calls 2020 total: 1,657 2019 total: 1,557

BCES ahead of the curve with gear, grants and vaccines, department aims for excellence Left: BCES acquired several new ambulances in 2020, including some that are specially enhanced for transporting potential COVID-19 patients. Right: BCES Chief Freddy Howell was among the first in Bryan County to get his COVID-19 vaccine.

We’re very grateful to be able to add a helicopter landing site for emergency medical flights right next to the new Station 1. This will allow emergency medical flights to decrease transport time when taking critical trauma patients to hospitals. It’s definitely an effective option to have. — Chief freddy howell

BCES awarded many grants for gear, staff In 2020, BCES cut the ribbon on and moved in to the new Station 1 building. The department was awarded a FEMA grant for around $600,000 for new self-contained breathing apparatuses; a $27,000 Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Council Fireworks Tax Grant and an ACCG grant, both for turnout gear; a Georgia Forestry grant for a skid unit for the department’s mule; and a $2.3 million FEMA Safer Grant to hire 12 additional firefighters. BCES also got several new ambulances, some of which were specially enhanced for transporting and treating potential COVID-19 patients.

Station 1 now home to helicopter landing zone Bryan County Emergency Services now has a permanent helicopter landing area next to BCES Station 1 at Highway 144 Captain Matthew Freeman Drive. The zone is marked by four red and green lights and a windsock that identifies it as a landing area for helicopters. Thanks to the windsock donation from LifeStar Georgia Air Ambulance and the new setup, the area is compliant with Federal Aviation Administration helicopter landing zone requirements. BCES also teamed up with LifeStar, which is based in Springfield, Georgia, to hold an in-house landing zone and aircraft familiarization class. LifeStar provided the instructors and flew in their helicopter so class participants could become familiar with the aircraft. It also provided LifeStar with an opportunity try out the new landing area.

PUBLIC S WORK

Department improving roads, making travel safer Public Works was tasked with making urgent repairs to many unpaved roads due to heavy rains in 2020. These severe rains caused roads to flood and wash out in Bryan County. Several roads were in need of ditch restoration, and fill dirt was hauled in to raise the road elevation above the high-water levels. One such road, Dunham Marsh Trail, required a section of ditches and swales restored, drainage culverts installed, and fill dirt hauled in. The road was then topped with 2 inches of crushed concrete surface to help prevent any future problems. Jake Brown Road also had been substantially washed out in places due to rain. To prevent the problem, Public Works installed culverts when restoring the ditches and then topped the road with 2 inches of crushed concrete to improve the surface layer. Other thoroughfares, such as Blige Road, received similar treatment. Rain and washouts took a toll on many other unpaved roads in Bryan County. To improve road conditions and drainage on these roads, clogged or collapsed cross pipes were replaced, miles of roadside ditch were restored, and dirt was hauled in to raise sections of the roads. Public Works has since implemented a monthly unpaved road-grading schedule to service all roads in the county.

new paving plan implemented

Public Works also assisted the county’s engineering department with completing the 2020 Paving Plan. Crews hauled millings to clear the way for over 14 miles of new road shoulders to be installed. Additionally, they performed preparation and restoration work for over 13 lane miles of newly resurfaced roadway. Public Works crews installed the base rock before the paving of a large portion of the Public Works yard; nearly 6,000 square yards of asphalt were installed to complete this project. This project was much-needed, as a paved equipment yard helps keep vehicles and equipment clean and better maintained, extending the lifespan of the equipment. In 2020, a drainage canal cleaning and maintenance program was initiated. It allows for crews to dedicate more time inspecting and cleaning canals to ensure proper drainage. This maintenance work initially included removing sediment and obstructions from over 28 miles of canals in Bryan County. In addition to this canal cleaning, over 1,200 acres of canal maintenance easements were mowed and maintained. Crews also mowed and picked up litter on county right-of-ways totaling over 5,000 acres.

new asset management system A new asset management system was implemented in 2020 to help better manage county buildings, vehicles and equipment, road and drainage infrastructure, and citizen complaints. With this new software, the Public Works Department is now able to organize workloads through work orders that capture their daily work and other data in a computerized system. The staff plans to implement better safety procedures while continuing to improve housekeeping and updating the public works yard. Team-building COU and staff development are AN also high priorities as the department strives to create and sustain an environment of continuous improvement as its ultimate goal. G b li

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Public Works crews removed sediment and obstructions from over 28 miles of canals in Bryan County.

tm epar

growth & infrastructure County focused on road improvements and upgrades In order to continue providing a safe and efficient transportation network to the residents of Bryan County in conjunction with the unprecedented growth that has been realized over the past several years, upgrading of the roadway network has become one of the top priorities of the county. This past year has been no exception in that approximately $4.5 million has been utilized in 2020 in new construction, maintenance, and rehabilitation of local roads. Improvements included road reconstruction, installation of asphalt shoulders, roadway base repair, asphalt overlay, crack sealing, and striping. In addition, keystone construction projects focused on the completion of two roundabouts located on Belfast River Road at the intersections of Harris Trail Road and Belfast Keller Road along with the addition of a right turn lane on Belfast Keller Road at the US 17 intersection. The completion of these projects has provided for a safer, more efficient movement of traffic flow through the corridor which is anticipated to continue to increase in volume due

The Interstate 95 interchange at Belfast Keller Road was mostly completed in 2020 and officially opened to traffic in all directions in January 2021.

to ongoing residential development, the opening of the new Belfast River interchange at I-95, and the long-awaited opening of the new high school currently under construction on Belfast Keller Road. Throughout the course of 2020, the Georgia Department of Transportation has also made significant progress on construction of two important transportation projects critical to the continued growth of Bryan County. The widening of State Route

144 from Timber Trail Road to the Bryan County Administration Building located at Captain Matthew Freeman Drive will provide an additional travel lane as well as dedicated turning lanes at key intersections in both directions along the roadway. Projects also include realignment of the Spur 144 intersection, and enlargement of the roundabout at Belfast River Road in order to enhance traffic flows through the facility.

development authority brings new business, opportunities Since 2015, the DABC has facilitated the creation or retention of over 1,000 jobs and the injection of over $200 million of private capital investment in Bryan County. Details about some of our more recent successes include: MEDLINE • A medical supplies manufacturing and distribution company • Announced in March 2020 that the company would open a 1.2 million-square-foot distribution center in Belfast Commerce Park • Nearly $70 million investment • Will create 150 full-time jobs with the potential to grow to 600 at full build-out FEDEX GROUND • Announced in October 2020

• Will lease a 415,000 square-foot portion of Medline’s building once it is complete • The space will serve as a new sorting facility that will allow the company to double its package capacity in the Savannah market • The company stated that the operation will employ hundreds of local people CZM • An assembler of heavy foundation drilling equipment • The company completed work on its new 47,000 square-foot facility in Interstate Centre II in the Ellabell area in the spring of 2020 • The project represents an investment of approx. $6 million and will allow the company to reach 75 total jobs

• The facility will house expanded assembly operations as well as the company’s world headquarters and engineering operations CRG • CRG, a private developer, began construction on a 700,000 square-foot speculative building early in 2020 in Interstate Centre II • The building was nearly completed by the end of 2020 and should be finished this year OTHER SUCCESSES

• The DABC purchased approximately 198 acres of rail-served property in Belfast Commerce Park. The DABC’s intent is to hold this property specifically for manufacturing and assembly projects.

SHERIFF’S department

department welcomes new sheriff for first time in over 30 years Sheriff Mark Crowe’s recent election was the realization of a dream he’s had since childhood. Crowe said he first thought of going into law enforcement when he was a boy looking at the Reader’s Digests that his mom enjoyed reading. “On the back of it, there would be an ad sometimes that said something about, ‘Would you like to be an FBI agent?’ I always thought, man, that is what I want to do – something like that. That is cool!” So, Crowe, who is from Pembroke, began working toward a law enforcement career almost immediately. When he was a teenager, the then-Pembroke fire chief, Jimmy Cook, lived across the street from him. His family was so close to their neighbors, Crowe always called the chief “Uncle Jimmy.” Cook recruited Crowe to volunteer at the fire department when he was old enough, so he started at the station when he was about 17 years old. From then on, the life of a public servant was in Crowe’s blood. Soon, he was lending a hand to another department in need. “Caldwell Morrison, who was the EMS director and the coroner at time, came to me and asked if I’d like to be a certified EMT and work voluntarily for the EMS department. So, I became a certified EMT, drifted a bit from the fire department and did more EMS work. This was around 1988 or ’89, when I also began working full-time for the Pembroke Telephone Company as my day job,” Crowe said. “So, I’d put in a full day at the phone company and then still do part-time volunteer shifts afterward for the fire department and EMS. Sometimes, I’d put in 18-hour days.” Soon after Crowe went through paramedic training, though, he decided to change course a bit. He had a good friend who was a sheriff’s deputy and wanted Crowe to do a ride along with him. Crowe took his friend up on the offer and loved

Bryan County Sheriff Mark Crowe was elected in November 2020, but has worked in first-responder and law-enforcement positions nearly his entire life.

it so much he wanted to do it again right away. Then-Sheriff Clyde Smith agreed to it, so Crowe went on another ride along with Deputy Chris Huggins, who was working in the newly created traffic unit at the time. While riding with Huggins, the traffic unit initiated its first drug money seizure on the I-95 corridor – an exciting turn of events for all involved. “That’s when I fell in love with the work. I thought, ‘I have to do this!’” Sheriff Smith told Crowe he’d have a job if he went to school. So, in March 1997, Crowe left the telephone company and embarked on what would be a long and fruitful career in law enforcement. “I cashed out my 401K, paid up all my bills in advance, and paid for the academy at Armstrong. Once I got out, Sheriff Smith put me right to work on patrol for a few months while I got my feet under me, then I moved to the traffic unit, which is where I spent most

of my career with the sheriff’s department,” Crowe said. In 2008, Crowe was promoted to sergeant and began to run an undercover drug unit for a couple of years until the position of Pembroke Police Department chief came open. Crowe asked the sheriff what he thought, and Smith agreed that it

Sheriff’s dept. looks to future (Continued)

was a great opportunity for Crowe to get some administrative experience – which would help him if he ever sought a higher office. Crowe led the Pembroke department for four years, from 2009-2013, but returned to the sheriff’s office in 2013, where he began a five-year post as a civil process server, which permitted him the time he needed to return to school and complete his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Crowe eventually took the required leave of absence from the department, necessitated by his run for sheriff, but still filled in occasionally on certain jobs when needed. He ran a successful campaign – something he had been thinking about for at least 12 years beforehand. “I tried to set a realistic goal and just work steadily toward it. All the people in the department knew that I someday hoped to run for office, and I felt like I could do a really good job as the sheriff and bring the department into the future,” Crowe said. Even now, though, he still has goals he’d like to meet, such as going through the command college in Atlanta to earn his master’s degree. But first, Crowe is handling the urgent business of the Sheriff’s Department as its new leader. Some of his initial actions involve implementing more technology-based processes into the department and ramping up his staff. When he came on board, the department was down 13 deputies and, so far, he’s hired eight. He is planning to add at least four more, likely to form a traffic unit, as soon as possible. All of the new hires so far are experienced officers; some even worked for the sheriff’s department before and they’ve come back. Others have come from neighboring counties.

Another priority for the new sheriff is Working with the Georgia Bureau of Investraffic safety. tigation task force, Crowe has negotiated a “With the interstate so busy with traffic, grant position for one of his deputies. That the new deputy, “I tried to set a realistic interwho is change, goal and just work steadily currently and the only toward it. All the people in everything trained K-9 THE department knew that else that handler corridor on staff, I someday hoped to run has has been for office, and I felt like I become, assigned could do a really good job to the we want to make regional as the sheriff and bring the sure our drug task department into the future.” force roadways are safe. through — sheriff mark Crowe Back the Bryan when we had a traffic unit with four people, County Sheriff’s Office. The GBI will now motorists were safer. It kept accidents to a pay 75 percent of his salary as well as minimum. We have to get back out there and provide a vehicle and gas card. The sheriff’s start slowing people down,” Crowe said. department will kick in the rest. This change He’s also starting to put more of an will allow for the Sheriff’s Office to employ a emphasis on the department’s K-9 aspect second drug officer and that second officer’s while moving his staff around to maximize efforts will be 100 percent focused in Bryan the team’s strengths and benefit the county. County.

The department’s K-9 has already been reassigned to a patrol sergeant who will be attending school in Chatham County to become a certified dog handler. When he is finished, he’ll be able to assist officers in Bryan County and elsewhere. In addition to stepping up traffic patrols to keep motorists safer, Crowe is, of course, looking out for the well-being of his deputies. He is working to ensure they have all the gear and equipment they need to do their jobs efficiently and safely. “We are getting new computers in our cars. All vehicles will now have a Bryan County Sheriff Mark Crowe, shown here with his wife, children and grandchildren, is mobile data terminal. Installing originally from North Bryan, and most of his relatives all still live there today. the computers in the cruisers will let deputies do their reports and file tickets right from their cars demands of serving as the primary caregiver for a growing child,” straight to our office. We can upload the paperwork right to the clerk Crowe said. “Becky and I happily stepped up and finished raising of court’s office so no real paper has to transfer hands,” Crowe him. He eventually took my last name, so he’s a Crowe now. said. “In addition, we’ll have cameras and body microphones going Cameron is a great young man. All of our kids are wonderful.” forward so there will be a record of all interactions.” Crowe’s pride in his family is abundantly clear as he describes Crowe is also looking to implement a School Resource Officer the tight-knit relationship they all enjoy to this day – thanks in part to program in some Bryan County schools. He plans to work with the the proximity of their homes. school board to accomplish this and hopes to set up a plan where “My daughter, Caitlin and her husband, Cliff, have two kids, the department and the board can jointly fund resource officers’ Chloe, 8, and Clay, 5. They live right behind us. Cody and his wife, salaries. Along with this, Crowe champions the CHAMPS program, Sierra, live just a couple of doors down and have one daughter, which is similar to the D.A.R.E. program students participated in the Claire, 2. Cameron and his wife, Tanya, live right next door to us and 1980s and ‘90s. are expecting their first child. They’re going to have a boy!” “CHAMPS is a bit like the new DARE program, but it focuses “My sister and her husband, my mom, two of my nephews, my more on making positive decisions overall. It’s more than just ‘say no great niece and great nephew all live in homes across from me. My to drugs.’ It goes into alcohol, bullying, safety issues, and so on. We family has actually been in Bryan County for 197 years,” Crowe said. will be responsible for that training,” he said. Crowe also is intent on When he’s not working or spending time with his big family, the providing more training in general to his deputies across the board sheriff enjoys hunting quite a bit and does a little fishing. He has – offering policy training and giving them the opportunity to take a boat and a little place on the lake in Clark’s Hill. He and his wife classes needed to further their careers. enjoy traveling when time permits and enjoyed a New York City While Crowe was working 18-hour days in his youth and getaway before COVID-19 hit. They also once took a memorable feverishly taking the steps needed to build a successful lawroad trip they’d always wanted to make, driving west through several enforcement career, he also found time to start and raise a happy states and into Kentucky to do the Noah’s Ark Encounter. Next, they family. He and his wife, Becky Crowe, have been married for 32 headed north but stopped at several small towns on their way to New years and have three grown children, three grandchildren and York and Canada, where they visited Niagara Falls. a fourth on the way. His family structure is another testament to Crowe says they’ll travel again when it’s safer and they have Crowe’s constant willingness to help people in need. more time. But for now, he is quite content with his family and “When my two kids, Caitlin and Cody, were teenagers, about 15 handling the business of the Bryan County Sheriff’s Office. years ago, we adopted another son. Cody had a friend, Cameron, “I’m grateful to the people of Bryan County for electing me to who he played baseball with and was very close to. When Cameron this post,” he said. “I pledge to do the absolute best I can to lead this was 15, the elderly woman who had been raising him – a kind department safely and effectively, take care of our residents, and of surrogate grandmother – became unable to keep up with the ensure our community remains a safe and enjoyable place to live.”

Unincorporated Services

Unincorporated services are categorized as services that are delivered to residents in the unincorporated areas and tend to include municipal-type services. These services are provided only to the residents of unincorporated Bryan County and are funded through revenue collected exclusively from the unincorporated areas of the county to ensure equity in taxation and service delivery.

County-Wide Services County-wide services are categorized as services that are delivered to residents in the unincorporated areas and the cities within Bryan County without distinction or disparity. These services are the core services that counties must provide their citizens, as mandated by either the State of Georgia or by the necessity of the quality of life our citizens deserve.

SPLOST - Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax This is an extra 1% sales tax voted on by the citizens of Bryan County for special projects.

TSPLOST - Transportation special purpose local option sales tax This is an extra 1% sales tax voted on by the citizens of Bryan County for transportation projects.

DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEE This means the payment of money imposed upon and paid by new development as a condition of development approval as its proportionate share of the cost of system improvements needed to serve the new development.

The Bryan County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the county budget for fiscal year 2021 at their regular monthly meeting in December 2020. The county’s FY 2021 spans from January 1 through December 31, 2021. Totaling $51,498,550 in expenditures and $52,370,250 in revenues, Bryan County’s FY 2021 balanced budget was passed without increasing the millage rate. In fact, earlier this year county officials opted to apply the rollback rate -- applicable under Georgia state law as an option for local governments to adjust property taxes to account for inflation -- taking the rate from 8.561 to 8.314 mills. Funds from countywide services account for $25,492,900 in the FY21 budget while $7,295,800 comes from unincorporated services. Special funding will provide $19,281,350 and $300,200 in minor funds, which rounds out the revenue totals.

The Bryan County Finance Department, under the leadership of director John rauback took advantage of shifting markets and dropping interest rates resulting from national financial concerns stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. They refinanced county debt at a combined rate of 1.78% which, in the long run, will save interest costs and taxpayer dollars. Another bond, refinanced at a rate of 1.13%, will fund various capital projects and equipment, including the new Fire Station 1 and the Henderson Park Gymnasium.

THANKS TO THE COUNTY’S RESPONSIBLE FINANCIAL PLANNING, community PROJECTS ARE POSSIBLE

Bryan County Recreation Department plans call for adding a new gymnasium (rendering above and top) and football/soccer fields (rendering left) at Henderson Park. Construction on those projects is scheduled to begin this year.

“BRYAN COUNTY IS AN INCREDIBLY WELL-ROUNDED COMMUNITY WITH AMPLE OPPORTUNITY FOR PERSONAL AND CAREER GROWTH. I’M PROUD OF THE FACT SO MANY RESIDENTS CHOOSE TO CALL OUR AREA HOME DUE TO THE COUNTY’S REPUTATION FOR SAFETY, ECONOMIC STABILITY, GREAT SCHOOLS, PLENTIFUL HOUSING OPTIONS AND DIVERSE RECREATIONAL OFFERINGS.” - Bryan County Commission Chairman Carter infinger

A BCES fire engine displays an American flag as part of the department’s 9/11 observance.

66 Captain Matthew Freeman Drive Richmond Hill, GA 31324 912-756-3177

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@ BryanCountyGeorgia