Chatham County has experienced significant progress over the past four years, with various departments making strides in improving public services, meeting the needs of the community, and promoting sustainability. From public safety to environmental resilience, these achievements reflect the county’s ongoing commitment to growth, safety, and well-being. Here are some highlights, and the goals of several county departments for the next four years:
Chatham County Fire Department
2024 marked a major milestone for Chatham County: the formation of the Chatham County Fire Department. This strategic move has improved operations, accountability, and resource allocation, resulting in better services for the community. The Fire Department’s commitment to ensuring public safety was further demonstrated with the formation of the Flood-Swift Water Rescue Team, a critical service that addresses water-related emergencies. This team’s efforts proved invaluable during recent storms, filling an important gap in emergency response capabilities.
The department has ambitious goals moving forward, including improving its ISO Public Protection Classification rating. The Fire Department is striving for a Class 1 rating, which would not only enhance community safety but also reduce insurance costs for residents. Additionally, the department is working toward achieving CPSE Accreditation to further elevate its standards and operational efficiency.
Parks & Recreation (CCPR)
Chatham County’s Parks & Recreation Department has seen significant growth in participation and programming, which is reflective of the county's commitment to fostering a healthy and engaged community. Youth sports participation has risen, alongside an increase in facility rentals and expanded senior citizens programs. The department also launched the Therapeutic Program, which offers special needs children and adults access to recreational opportunities.
This year, five playgrounds were replaced, including the county's first all-inclusive playground at Ambuc Sports Complex, which provides an accessible and enjoyable space for all children. In addition to this, major renovations were made to the Ambuc Sports Complex, with new fields, fencing, and a concession building. The complex also became home to the first Challenge Baseball field, designed specifically for special needs youth.
Future goals for the department include expanding arts, cultural, and outdoor recreation programs, particularly for aging adults and girls in sports. To ensure the county’s programs continue to meet the needs of the community, Parks & Recreation plans to conduct surveys and assess public interest in additional programming.
Mosquito Control (MOSCON)
Chatham County’s efforts in mosquito control have been highly successful. Over the past four years, the county has reported only one human case of West Nile Virus, despite 326 WNV-positive mosquito samples. Additionally, there have been zero human cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis, showcasing the effectiveness of the county’s preventive measures.
The Mosquito Control division has also secured $810,052 in grants and contracts over the past two years to support its work. Looking ahead, MOSCON plans to secure $1.5 million in grants and contracts over the next four years and will continue its efforts to reduce the incidence of mosquito-borne diseases through monitoring and prevention.
Occupational Safety and Risk Management
The county’s focus on safety in the workplace has been further enhanced through the implementation of ARPA-funded Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) software. This new system has improved productivity and provided greater transparency into safety operations. In addition, 545 employees have been trained in CPR/AED, and 50 Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) have been deployed across county facilities.
As part of its ongoing commitment to accessibility, the department is also focused on reviewing and updating the county’s ADA Transition Plan to remove barriers and ensure that all residents and employees have equal access to county services and facilities.
Board of Elections (BOE)
The Board of Elections has experienced increased demand due to growing voter participation. In response, the county added 6.5 full-time staff positions to handle the increased workload, ensuring efficient operations and a smooth voting process. Impressively, the BOE has maintained a record of zero infractions or violations over the past four years, demonstrating the integrity and professionalism with which elections are conducted.
Looking to the future, the Board of Elections plans to secure larger office space to accommodate the growing demands of electoral operations, ensuring continued efficiency as voter turnout continues to increase.
Resilience Program
Chatham County is proactively addressing climate change and sustainability through its Resilience Program. The county launched its first Municipal Solar Program for county buildings, reducing energy costs and environmental impact. In addition, federal grants were secured to develop the county’s first Energy Plan, which will provide a comprehensive strategy for sustainability moving forward.
To further its green initiatives, Chatham County plans to launch an Electric Vehicle (EV) program and integrate EVs into its fleet, while updating local codes and ordinances to better address the impacts of climate change.
Voter Registration
In an effort to improve voter access, Chatham County expanded early voting hours and locations, successfully serving over 91,000 voters with minimal wait times. Outreach efforts to promote voter registration and early voting have ensured that more residents are participating in the democratic process.
Looking ahead, the county plans to transition to an outbound vote-by-mail ballot processing service, further enhancing accessibility for voters across Chatham County.
Finance
Chatham County’s Finance division continues to excel in fiscal management, earning Excellence in Financial Reporting and Distinguished Budget Presentation awards. The county has maintained an impressive 98% fire fee collection rate, ensuring consistent revenue to fund public safety initiatives. Additionally, the county has established a three-month reserve for both the general fund and SSD, providing a solid financial foundation to support long-term stability and growth.
Facilities Maintenance & Operations (FM&O)
Another of Chatham County’s noteworthy accomplishments in recent years was the transformation of a 7,200 sq. ft. building near St. Joseph Hospital into a fully operational Employee Health Care Center. This project, largely completed by in-house staff, saved the county more than $100,000 in renovation costs. The building is now an important asset for employee wellness and healthcare services.
In addition, FM&O converted a conference room into a fully functional courtroom for Juvenile Court Services. This efficient use of space, coupled with a combination of in-house staff and local vendors, led to over $75,000 in cost savings.
Looking ahead, the department is focused on improving the skills of its staff, with plans to offer both in-house and off-site training aimed at enhancing the construction and facility management capabilities of the team.
State and Federal funding:
Over the last four years, Chatham County has earned major legislative allocations from both state and federal grants, including Emergency Rental Assistance, American Rescue Plan Act, Railroad Crossing Elimination and Rural Workforce Housing Initiative.
Grant Award Total 2021-2024:
$59,479,486.
2021 $44,588,261
2022 $1,154,611
2023 $7,218,671
2024 $6,517,943
Through the concerted efforts of Chatham County’s various departments, the community is benefiting from enhanced services, improved safety, and sustainable growth. The county remains committed to achieving its future goals while continuing to address the needs of its residents, ensuring that Chatham County remains a vibrant, inclusive, and forward-thinking place to live.