BALDWIN, Ga. — The Baldwin City Council postponed action Tuesday night on two public safety agreements, opting to move both items to a future work session for additional review before taking a vote.
Under new business, the council had been scheduled to ratify the Habersham County Local Emergency Operating Plan Resolution and approve an automatic aid agreement between the Baldwin and Cornelia fire departments.
Council members said they wanted more time to review the documents.
Emergency operating plan
The Habersham County Local Emergency Operating Plan outlines coordinated response procedures among the county and its municipalities during emergencies.
The initial draft was sent by Habersham County in early February with a deadline of Feb. 17. Mayor Doug Faust has already signed the document, but formal ratification requires council approval.
Councilman Joe Elam asked that the resolution be moved to the next meeting to allow time for review.
“Would it be okay if we were to wait till our next meeting to ratify this?” Elam said. “Understanding that the length of this document in itself is quite challenging to digest and read.”
Councilman Mike Tope echoed the request.
“I’m sure it’s fine. I just want to make sure it’s fine,” Tope said. “I think moving forward, we start to use that work session for planning of meetings. I think that would give us all the time to review it as well as public to hear it and digest it.”
The council agreed to move the resolution to a future work session before taking action.
Automatic aid agreement with Cornelia
The council also postponed consideration of a proposed automatic aid agreement between the Baldwin and Cornelia fire departments.
Ross Jackson outlined the memorandum of agreement, which would formalize automatic aid responses between the two cities.
Jackson said Baldwin already operates under automatic aid with Habersham County. The proposed agreement with Cornelia would function similarly, with one notable operational adjustment.
“The only change that’s in this is that we are now requesting that Cornelia send us their aerial unit,” Jackson said.
Cornelia operates a 75-foot ladder truck, while Baldwin’s primary aerial apparatus is a 100-foot platform. Jackson said Cornelia’s unit can be more maneuverable in tighter areas and would help Baldwin meet Insurance Services Office staffing and equipment standards.
“For ISO considerations, if they send their aerial, then we can meet all our ISO credit, as long as we have those four people on scene,” Jackson said.
Jackson noted Cornelia recently relocated its aerial apparatus to its downtown station, placing it within 2.5 road miles — a key ISO distance threshold.
Under the agreement, Baldwin would send one engine and personnel to Cornelia in the event of a fire there. If a fire occurs within Baldwin or its contracted response areas, Cornelia would send its aerial unit and personnel.
“It’s just a way to meet the means of getting personnel on the scene without increasing budgets tremendously,” Jackson said.
Jackson said such agreements typically require renewal every five years and that leadership changes in both departments made it appropriate to update signatures.
Cornelia is expected to consider the agreement at its March 17 meeting — the same date as Baldwin’s next regular meeting.
Elam asked that the item be moved to a work session for further discussion, noting council members had only recently received the document. Tope agreed.
The council voted to move the agreement to a future work session before taking formal action.
