Woodstock Will Add 2 New Fire Stations

Woodstock’s city leaders just signed off on a plan to double the city’s fire stations—without doubling the budget.

🧯 What’s Happening:
The city already budgeted for 12 new firefighters and one new station. Then, contractor Spratlin Construction offered a discount if Woodstock built both stations at once.

• According to city officials, building both stations now saves the city more than $600,000.
• Fire Chief Shane Dobson confirmed the department can cover both stations with the same 12 new hires by spreading shifts strategically.

💰 The Big Picture: The Woodstock City Council unanimously approved the construction of Fire Stations 28 and 29 during Monday night’s meeting. The $14 million investment—$7.4 million for Ridgewalk Parkway and $6.8 million for Long Drive—will be handled with an eye toward long-term savings and minimal financial strain.

📊 Between the Lines: City Manager Jeff Moon pointed to Woodstock’s high bond rating and leftover SPLOST funds to explain how the city can afford the project—without new taxes or cuts elsewhere.

• The city still has more than $1 million from SPLOST IV earmarked for fire services.
• Impact fees originally meant for parks could be redirected to public safety.

🧠 Catch Up Quick: Woodstock currently has just two fire stations. The population—and the pressure on emergency services—has been growing fast.

🌆 The Local Impact: The additions will boost capacity for fire and medical emergencies and strengthen joint response with Cherokee County.

The Sources: City of Woodstock.