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.
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