The Henry County Board of Commissioners voted at its November 29 regular meeting to approve more than $2 million in expenditures to aid Henry County Fire Rescue.

In four separate resolutions, several vehicles were approved for purchase after being identified as necessary emergency purchases due to an aging fleet and an immediate need for replacements, according to officials. The commissioners approved the $1.275 million acquisition of a custom aerial as well as $799,383 for three custom ambulance boxes, $68,057 for a 2023 Dodge 4500 ambulance prep chassis, and $68,920 for two 2023 Chevy Express vans. Funding is through the county’s capital improvement plan and American Rescue Plan Act funds.

In other business, the board approved the installation of more security cameras as part of an ongoing initiative to enhance security at government facilities. Locations for the new cameras include the 911 center, transit center, election headquarters, Sandy Ridge Park and Richard Craig Park. American Rescue Plan Act funds are being used for these expenditures.

According to officials, security cameras will eventually be located at all county facilities and they will tie into the Henry County Police Department’s Real Time Crime Center.

Commissioners also approved a memorandum of understanding with Chatham County so that if a disaster renders the coastal county’s 911 department unable to answer calls, they will be rerouted to Henry County 911.

The board approved eight judicial appointments to Magistrate Court by Chief Magistrate Judge Martin Jones. Their terms will begin next month and expire December 31, 2026.

Another public safety measure approved by the board was the acceptance of an $82,866 grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance in conjunction with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This money is provided to state and local government agencies that incur correctional officer salary costs related to the incarceration of undocumented immigrants.

Henry County’s Transit Department is moving forward with the process of securing a renewal of a Federal Transit Administration grant for the period between July of 2023 and June of 2024. According to officials, the $2,125,233 grant will be used to purchase eleven 16-passenger vehicles with wheelchair lifts and will also provide assistance in the department’s FY2024 budget.

The board approved planned renovations to facilities at 30 and 40 Atlanta Street. The county’s facilities maintenance director told the commissioners that the renovations are needed because of the age and deterioration of the existing structure at that location.