I am a Putnam County resident raising concerns about economic development, permitting delays, and public safety operations in both Putnam County and the City of Eatonton. These concerns are based on observations and personal experiences over the past several months.
I have observed that companies interested in bringing jobs and development to Putnam County often relocate to neighboring counties. In my experience, one contributing factor is the amount of time required to receive permits and approvals. Approvals through Putnam County Planning and Zoning can take six months to more than a year, while neighboring counties often complete similar approvals within six months. These delays affect both commercial projects and residential construction, and ultimately led me to relocate my small business to another county.
I have also encountered inconsistencies between City of Eatonton and Putnam County building and planning requirements. Property owners may be required to obtain permits from both the city and the county, even when inspection responsibilities overlap. In some cases, renovation requirements differ between the two jurisdictions, which creates confusion and additional delays.
I believe consolidating permitting and inspection responsibilities could improve efficiency and reduce redundancy.
Another concern involves overlapping enforcement roles. Putnam County operates a Fire Marshal’s Office that conducts annual fire safety inspections of commercial properties. At the same time, the City of Eatonton maintains a separate Code Enforcement position. According to publicly available budget information, this position carries an annual salary and budget allocation of approximately $94,000. While enforcement is important, I believe the overlap in responsibilities raises questions about efficiency and the use of taxpayer funds.
Public safety, particularly fire protection within the City of Eatonton, is another area of concern. The City Fire Department operates with limited weekday staffing, while Putnam County Fire maintains a fully staffed, 24-hour station located within city limits and regularly responds to calls inside the city. Because city residents pay both city and county taxes, I question whether maintaining two fire agencies serving the same area is the most efficient use of resources.
Fire protection capabilities are also reflected in Insurance Services Office (ISO) fire ratings, which directly affect insurance costs for homeowners and businesses. The City of Eatonton currently holds an ISO rating of 5/5X based on its 2021 review, while Putnam County holds a stronger ISO rating of 4/4X from its 2025 review. The city is scheduled for another ISO review in 2026. Given the city’s limited staffing model, I question whether its ISO rating can realistically improve without changes to coverage or coordination.
I believe consolidating city and county fire services, as has been done in other counties, could improve emergency response, reduce duplication of services, and potentially lower insurance costs. Improved ISO ratings can make a community more attractive to businesses and support economic development.
My intent in raising these concerns is to encourage constructive discussion about permitting efficiency, coordination between city and county operations, public safety coverage, and the responsible use of taxpayer funds to support growth and safety in Putnam County and the City of Eatonton.
Bob Jones Putnam County