Montgomery Board of Commissioners Keep Local Burn Ban

The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to keep the local ban on outdoor burning during their regular monthly meeting on May 11 in Mount Vernon.

The board originally implemented their local burn ban on April 21 in response to increased drought conditions in the area, levying $1,000 in fines and jail time against violators. The Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) implemented an emergency burn ban affecting 91 counties, including Montgomery County, on April 22, yet reduced the area to 17 counties on May 5, excluding Montgomery County, before finally lifting the ban altogether on May 12.

However, despite recent rainfall, Montgomery County’s EMS Director Travis Willis still believes the area is too dry to lift the ban.

“Forestry lifted their burn [ban] last Tuesday evening, and Wednesday morning before lunch it started in someone’s backyard right over here,” said Willis. “So, it’s definitely not enough rain to be stopped, in my opinion.”

Willis said since the GFC had lifted its ban on the area, the Commission could authorize certain burn permits for agriculture and timber. 

“Forestry will give the permits,” said Willis. “I’d like to let them permit what they want to do, which right now is only agriculture and timber.”

Commissioner Amie Vassey offered a motion to maintain the burn ban, which passed unanimously.

“I think we should follow the guidance that our EMA director provided to us,” said Vassey.

Other local communities have also signaled a willingness to maintain their burn bans, such as Wheeler County, Treutlen County and the respective cities within. The Treutlen County Board of Commissioners even implemented a new ordinance applying new penalties to present and future burn bans for enforcement.

Should any of these communities decide to lift their burn bans before their expiration dates, many must wait until their next board of commissioners or city council meeting to do so.

In other action items, the board considered several bids for a new utility tractor. Commissioner Leland Adams recommended the county purchase a 2026 Kubota MG 141 DTC F1 with a bat wing mower and a two year warranty, and the board voted to purchase the model unanimously.

The board also voted to renew their contract with the Community Service Board of Middle Georgia, following another motion from Adams. 

He also offered a motion to accept provided drawings for renovations to the Montgomery County Recreation Department, which passed unanimously. With the drawings approved, the county can now move on to final designs and blueprints for the project.

The board also reviewed the April 2026 cash bases financial report, delivered by County Manager Scott. According to the report, the county earned 49.1 percent of its projected revenue, while the county’s total expenditures totalled 33 percent of its budget of $6,048,403.89.

In individual expenditures, general government costs have totaled 27.1 percent of its budget of $1,427,297.14; judicial costs have totaled 37.8 percent of its budget of $592,769.75; public safety costs have totaled 29.4 percent of its budget of $2,004,320.55; public works costs have totaled 34.2 percent of its budget of $1,233,455.53; health and welfare costs have totaled 33.3 percent of its budget of $53,250; culture and recreation costs have totaled 53.4 percent of its budget of $123,815.36; housing and development costs have totaled 21.3 percent of its budget of $82,815; debt service costs have totaled 62.3 percent of its budget of $10,700 and other financing use costs have totaled 50.5 percent of its budget of $519,990.56.