Michael holds a Bachelor of Science and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Savannah State University. He has countless experience with local businesses & organizations, including Bank South, International City Council Management, Metro Planning Commission, Live Oak Public Library, United Way Board of Directors, and more.
Vision: To make Chatham County the best place to live, work & play.
Mission: To protect and serve the public and provide services to improve the quality of life.
Core Values: Safety with Justice, Stewardship Promoting Transparency, Efficiency with Effectiveness, Teamwork Producing Achievement, Honesty through Integrity, Pride Increasing Respect.
The Chatham County Blueprint Priorities for everything they do falls into one of these 4 buckets: Economy, Education, Health, & Quality of Life
According to the 2022 census, Chatham County's population is a little over 300,000 people. We’ve experienced a lot of growth in Chatham Count. Projections shared were pre-Hyundai, so they anticipate even more growth. The 2025 budget is $755,603,127.
Some of the key priorities include public safety, upgrades to our 911 system, and a non-emergency call center that was established in March of 2024. Chatham County is experiencing a high vacancy rate in public safety positions, and they have worked to increase pay for first responders to hopefully increase their workforce. For example, Chatham County Fire Department transitioned 152 employees from CES (Chatham Emergency Services), and they are looking to be bigger and better moving forward.
Infrastructure improvements include Transportation, Stormwater, Parks & Recreation, County Administrative & Cultural Facilities.
SPLOST projects include a new trial trial courthouse ($88 million) to open early 2025. This will house state and clerk superior courts. Michael says it’s extremely beautiful and more modern. The other major project is a public safety building near the airport. This will house CEMA, the Non-emergency call center (NECC) and E-911 dispatch; partners will include the US Army & Department of Defense. The building will be able to withstand hazards associated with a Category 5 hurricane & EF-4 tornadoes and will be equipped with HVAC, sanitation, potable water and power systems to allow for at least 72 hours of operation if primary systems fail.
The Airnasium will be an open air complex to host pickle ball, volleyball, and basketball, located at L. Scott Stell Park. It can be used year round so the benefits include the fact that it doesn’t need to be climate controlled, and also can host meetings, family reunions, etc. Timeline is hopefully in the next year. Other projects include public safety radio towers, more hydrants, and an indoor recreational facility with the goal to increase sports tourism.
Michael listed a number of transportation projects, including solving the issues with the train on President Street, and several areas that need improving from a traffic perspective to eliminate bottlenecks that have resulted from the increased population.
Some Capital Projects & Drainage projects to alleviate flooding are in the pipeline as well as replacing the Oglethorpe Mall Library, a Youth Football Complex, the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force expansion, a Marine Patrol facility, and work done at I-95 at Airways Avenue.
Q&A:
Affordable Housing - Chatham County is working with Port Wentworth Habitat for Humanity, load programs, housing for seniors, tax credits, and actively participating in making improvements. They are specifically targeting West Chatham because of the potential for growth.
Jeff Brady asked about the fire department transition and how fire fees might be incorporated into taxes. Michael says they want to increase the ISO rating.
Michael clarified that we have the same millage rate that we did last year. The county is simply taking advantage of the new growth in the county and re-assessing.
Michael’s biggest support/influencer was: Public government wasn’t initially on his radar, but he named former county manager Russ Abolt, and the person who hired him, Betty Whitehead, as two major mentors.
Michael bragged on Chelsea Sawyer and encouraged us to volunteer with the county, specifically as poll workers, with the Parks & Rec department, and animal services.