Note: The following release was provided by Polk County officials for publication late this afternoon. -KtE

Over the past 12 years, both Polk County and the City of Rockmart have both enjoyed automatic aid for fire services with zero annual monetary payments received by either entity. Polk County has similar automatic aid agreements with other local governments, each requesting zero annual monetary payment.

On December 30, 2024, the City of Rockmart officially notified Polk County Government of their intention to terminate the current Fire Services Automatic Aid Agreement, effective July 1, 2025, unless a new agreement could be agreed upon by both entities.

The City of Rockmart requested to be paid $125,000 annually to continue the automatic aid services. Polk County countered with a formal offer to construct an additional fire station on the east side of the county to better serve Polk County residents, and to better assist the City of Rockmart with automatic aid. This counteroffer was rejected, and the City once again requested annual monetary payment.

The Polk County Board of Commissioners has taken major strides throughout the last 5 years to move our fire department forward. Polk County’s fire department budget has increased by over $1 million dollars to provide enhanced services to the citizens of Polk County. As a direct result of many of these improvements, the County’s ISO rating went from a 6 to 5. In many instances, this helped lower homeowner’s insurance premiums for many citizens.

In 2024, Polk County began staffing three stations Monday – Friday, 6AM to 6PM. In addition to the providing the first history-making fire department staff, the department also purchased two new fire trucks to continue enhancing response services across the County. We are proud to have a combination department with a total operating budget of roughly $1.3 million dollars, serving approximately 26,000 unincorporated residents. We believe this to be a testament to the efficiency and effectiveness of both our volunteer and part-time firefighters.

During the most recent LOST negotiations, County officials advocated to increase the City of Rockmart’s percentage of sales tax revenue. As a result, the City of Rockmart received approximately $300,000 more annually than previously before. In an attempt to provide transparency to our citizens, we would like to inform you of the services and funding that Polk County provides free of charge to the City of Rockmart, due to other agreed arrangements.

We believe these offerings, valued at approximately $3.5 million, are more than equitable toward the benefit of automatic aid:

• Motorola P25 System Maintenance
• Animal Control & E-911
• Development Authority & Chamber of Commerce
• Paving Labor
• A $300,000 payment for the downtown amphitheater quality of life project
  

It is important for our citizens to know that public safety is a top priority for the Polk County Board of Commissioners. When it comes to protecting lives and property, jurisdictional lines should not get in the way.

We assure you that over the next few weeks, no matter what, Polk County representatives will continue to meet and negotiate diligently with the City of Rockmart in order to come to an agreeable solution in regards to automatic aid and fire protection.