Sheriff and fire chief cite technology, new training campus and Lake Lanier rescue boat as priority investments

Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Joe Perkins said technology now underpins most investigations and that the sheriff's office is investing in systems and facilities to match that shift. "Technology is the short answer," Perkins said, noting cryptocurrency and other digital investigations increasingly drive evidence needs.

Perkins said the sheriff's office already has a real‑time crime center and plans to enhance it in a new facility, and that several counties nearby use drones in first‑responder roles. "Our real time crime center will... be as nice as anywhere else you would go and see," he said.

Fire Chief Barry Head told the panel that apparatus and equipment costs have risen sharply since the pandemic; he gave ballpark figures for modern engines and ladders and said the department relies on SPLOST to fund long‑life capital. He said the department will break ground later this year on a 34‑acre training campus off Martin Road to modernize training for career and volunteer personnel.

Head also described a newly funded rescue/fire boat for Lake Lanier and said it will "drastically reduce our response time and improve our service delivery and our capabilities on Lake Lanier." He emphasized the investments aim to grow with the community and improve outcomes for residents.

Next steps: Officials said the investments will proceed through existing SPLOST funding cycles and facility planning; no formal procurement votes were taken during the panel discussion.