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IssueHabersham Countyunder consideration

Habersham County splits Fire/EMA/911 headquarters project into phases as cost estimate climbs

The SPLOST-funded building meant to house county fire, emergency management and 911 operations is being built in stages, with the second phase's estimated construction cost now approaching $14 million.

By NEGA Brief NewsroomLast checked October 1, 2026
Latest

February 24, 2026: Fire/EMA/9-1-1 Headquarters (Phase II Central Base Fire Station) design and value engineering

What happens next

No next step has been documented.

At a glance

What this means now

Where it stands

A February 2026 county budget document again lists Phase II, covering the Central Base Fire Station, for design and value engineering, with a preliminary construction estimate of about $14 million.

The story

A SPLOST VIII project list proposed funding for Phase II of the Central Base Fire/EMS/911 Building, recommending $11 million against a $12 million request.

Sources31 Draft of SPLOST VIII Project List 07.09

By July 2024, Habersham County had issued bids and made a construction award to Sunbelt Builders Inc. for the Animal Control and Fire/EMS/911 Headquarters buildings. A related E-911 project funded under SPLOST VII, awarded in fiscal year 2023, was reported about 50% complete at the same time.

Sourcescounty-habersham-fy2025-budget-report.pdf

At the Board of Commissioners' February 2025 planning retreat, Capital Projects Manager Jerry Baggett gave commissioners a status update on the Fire/EMA/E911 Headquarters project.

SourcesMeeting4882_9 Minutes for BOC 02.13.25 Planning Retreat.pdfMinutes for BOC 02.13.25 Planning Retreat

At a June 2025 work session, commissioners discussed using the $4 million already budgeted for the project to fund a "Phase I," while carrying a "Phase II" forward to a future SPLOST VIII funding cycle.

SourcesMeeting5085_4 Minutes for 06.16.25 BOC Work Session.pdf

A February 2026 county budget document again lists Phase II, covering the Central Base Fire Station, for design and value engineering, with a preliminary construction estimate of about $14 million.

Sources1 & 2- Financial Update, SPLOST, Budget Process, Capital & SPLOST Projects

What happened

How this issue got here

Open any step for its supporting record. A proposal remains labeled as proposed until later evidence establishes an outcome.

Appeared on agenda
proposed

Phase II of the Central Base Fire/EMS/911 Building

Phase II of Central Base Fire/EMS/911 Building 11,000,000.00$ 12,000,000.00$

Appeared on agenda
proposed

Fire/EMA/9-1-1 Headquarters (Phase II Central Base Fire Station) design and value engineering

~$14M Preliminary construction estimate

Discussed
discussed

Fire/EMA/E911 Headquarters construction funding, Phase I/Phase II under SPLOST VIII

using the $4 million that was budgeted for this project for a “Phase I” while including “Phase Il” on future SPLOST VILL

Discussed
discussed

Fire/EMA/E911 Headquarters SPLOST project status

Fire/EMA/E911 Headquarters Jerry Baggett, Capital Projects Manager

Discussed
discussed

Status update on SPLOST-funded Fire/EMA/E911 Headquarters project

Fire/EMA/E911 Headquarters Jerry Baggett, Capital Projects Manager

Approved
unknown

Construction award for Animal Control and Fire/EMS/911 Headquarters buildings

have been issued and an award made to Sunbelt Builders Inc.

Approved
unknown

E-911 project (SPLOST VII)

911 project was awarded in FY23 and is 50% complete at this time.

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