Counties to pay more for state forestry service

The last time the Georgia Forestry Commission went up on fees, a gallon of gasoline cost 33 cents.

For the first time since 1967, the commission is upping the amount it charges counties for firefighting services and forest management. The old rate of 4 cents per forested acre is rising to 10 cents.

Chuck Arnold, chief ranger for the forestry commission's Catoosa/Whitfield district, said the cost of bulldozers, trucks and diesel fuel has increased, and it's time for the fee to grow.

"Everything has gone up," he said. "It's doubled and tripled and quadrupled."

The Catoosa County Commission voted unanimously to accept the increase Tuesday, and all the other counties also will be required to vote.

Catoosa County Commissioner Bobby Winters said the $2,300-a-year tab is better than being charged per call or having to equip county fire departments with bulldozers.

"It's still a good deal for the county," he said.

Wendy Burnett, spokeswoman for the Georgia Forestry Commission, said the increase will bring in an additional $1.3 million for the department.

She acknowledged that it's not a great time to increase fees, because county budgets are tight, but she said it's a necessary move. The department spends an average of $1.45 per acre of forested land, but will take in only 10 cents from the counties.

"It's still an incredible return on investment for the counties," she said.

Walker County has 51/2 times as many forested acres as Catoosa County and will face a nearly $8,000 increase. Commissioner Bebe Heiskell said she's "not happy about it" but agreed to the increase. Since it was only a few thousand dollars, the county could absorb the hit on the general fund, she said.

"If it was a whole bunch of money, we couldn't have," she said. "It's going to be a very tight budget this year."