2025 ANNUAL REPORT PICKENS COUNTY GEORGIA
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WRAPPING UP THE YEAR
A W O R D
F R O M T H E
C H A I R M A N
It is my honor to present the 2025 Annual Report, highlighting the achievements of the past year. Our county continues to grow and thrive, thanks to the hard work of our employees, the dedication of our local leaders, and the incredible support of our community
Pickens County is not just a great place to live and work—it’s a place where people feel connected, where businesses flourish, and where we’re committed to building a bright future.
As we continue to invest in infrastructure, services, and economic growth, we remain focused on preserving the small-town charm that makes Pickens County special.
We are proud of all that we have accomplished together, and we look forward to another year of progress while maintaining the values that define our community. Thank you for your support and for making Pickens County a place we can all be proud to call home
CHAIRMAN
OUR MISSION
To provide a transparent local government focused on consistently protecting the soul of our community, while working towards smart economic growth and the greatest quality of life for all who choose to make Pickens County their home or destination.
Kris Stancil Chairman
Josh Tippens Post 1 Commissioner
Josh Tatum Post 2 Commissioner
F I N A N C E
2024 REVENUES
$38,826,834
TAXES - $28,756,984
LICENSES & PERMITS - $713,753
INTERGOVERNMENTAL - $3,198,781
CHARGES FOR SERVICES - $5,422,896
FINES & FORFEITURES - $251,816
INTEREST - $21,347
OTHER - $461,256
2024 EXPENDITURES
$37,164,439
GENERAL GOVERNMENT - $5,743,973
JUDICIAL - $5,487,334
PUBLIC SAFETY - $19,101,864
PUBLIC WORKS - $4,394,781
HEALTH & WELFARE - $276,972
RECREATION - $1,040,611
LIBRARY - $499,450
HOUSING & DEVELOPMENT - $619,454
In 2024, Pickens County came in under budget by $1,662,395. Any additional funds at the end of a fiscal year will roll into future projects in the following years.
The Pickens County Finance Department received recognition of excellence in financial reporting for the second year in a row.
All numbers are pre-audit and are subject to change.
MARCH 12 MAY 21
PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE PRIMARY
LOCAL & STATE PRIMARY 19% VOTER TURNOUT (4,791 VOTERS)
1385% VOTER TURNOUT (3,479 VOTERS)
NOVEMBER 5
GENERAL ELECTION 8011% VOTER TURNOUT (21,026 VOTERS)
R E C Y C L I N G
29,125 REGISTERED VOTERS
In 2024, the Pickens County Recycling Center processed an impressive 2,639,814 pounds of recyclable materials. The center plays a vital role in the community’s environmental efforts by accepting a wide range of materials, including paper, cardboard, aluminum, metal, glass, and plastic, with the breakdown shown to the left. This achievement reflects the county’s strong commitment to sustainability and waste reduction. 2 0 2 4
96 3 TRAINED POLL WORKERS FULL-TIME ELECTION EMPLOYEES
The Pickens County Elections Office successfully hosted three elections in 2024, with over 29,000 voters participating. The Elections Office ensures a smooth and efficient voting process by thoroughly training all 96 poll workers prior to each election.
Youth Girls Flag Football has experienced significant growth in Pickens County and throughout North Georgia. This past season, the program fielded two Elementary School teams and one Middle School team, a first for the county. "Flag football is quickly becoming a growing sport at PCRD," said Recreation Director Brian Jones
A T E R D E P A R T M E N T
NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS
SALES - GALLONS PER DAY 3,528 3,665 3,803 884k 896k 944k 5.3% increase in daily sales 3.7% increase in customers
2024 COMPLETED PROJECTS:
2025 SLATED PROJECTS:
In 2025, Pickens County Water plans to replace 15,000 feet of 40-year-old 6" pipe with 8" pipe along Henderson Mountain Road, starting at White Pine Crossover and ending at the intersection of Henderson Mountain Road and Pleasant Union Road Additionally, a larger pump station will be installed on Yellow Creek Road. The pump station, ordered in December 2024, was delivered in March 2025 and is on schedule for installation soon after delivery
In 2024, Pickens County Water entered into an agreement with American Tank Maintenance for the maintenance and inspection of its water tanks All tanks underwent both internal and external inspections. Additionally, four of the seven tanks Church Yard, Tate, Sequoyah, and Ledbetter were cleaned and painted A new department logo was also painted on the Church Yard and Tate tanks The department successfully completed the implementation of a GIS mapping system as well
R O A D D E P A R T M E N T
401 MILES
Rising material costs are driving up the expenses for road projects for Pickens County From 2023 to 2024, the price of gravel increased by 26.3%, from $17.50 to $22.10 per yard. The cost of salt rose by 13 7%, from $134 55 to $152 95 per ton, and asphalt saw an increase of 7.8%, from $87 25 to $94 10 per ton
In 2024, the Pickens County Road Department resurfaced portions of 20 roads and three railroad crossings, using $1.4 million in SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) revenue In 2025, the department plans to resurface Henderson Mountain Road and Salem Church Road as part of continued road maintenance efforts.
G I S S Y S T E M
The Pickens County Water Department has been diligently working throughout 2024 to develop a comprehensive GIS software that maps the location of all water meters and infrastructure across the county. This innovative tool will allow for efficient repairs, as well as readily available information for any current or future residents. The GIS software is set to go live in Summer 2025, marking a significant milestone in the county's ongoing commitment to improving its water services and infrastructure management.
23,418 23,418
5,886
In 2024, the county implemented the "Lowered Intensity Amendment" process, allowing for simplified applications to reduce land use intensity without a filing fee. Since its adoption, there have been four successful downzonings under this process, promoting more sustainable land use transitions.
I R E M A R S H A L
The Fire Marshal and Deputy Fire Marshal actively engage with the community by attending educational events throughout the year, raising awareness about fire safety and prevention. Through these outreach efforts, they successfully educated approximately 1,200 citizens on the dangers of fire and how to stay safe.
F I R E & R E S C U E
INCIDENTS
Total Fires - 179
Total EMS Calls - 3,982 False Alarms - 156 Haz Mat Calls - 18 Motor Vehicle Accidents - 276 Service Calls - 576 Other Miscellaneous - 865 Total Incidents - 5,963
FIRES
TOP 5 EMS
150 40 150 ANNUAL INSPECTIONS PLAN REVIEWS PRE-FIRE PLANS
As of February 2025, Pickens County Fire & Rescue will have a fleet of 4 total ambulances, with 2 new units placed into operation. The department also operates 8 fire engines, of which 5 are fully staffed by career firefighters and 3 are staffed by volunteers. These assets ensure a continued high level of emergency response across the county. Additionally, in 2025, Pickens County will be building the Talking Rock fire station, further enhancing the department's ability to serve the community
M A R S H A L
2024 was a busy year for the Marshal’s Office. They saw an increase of 200% in calls for service and a 165% increase in cases. The Marshal’s Office goal for 2024 was modernization, achieved by implementing new software including the integration of a new record management system and installation of mobile data terminals in all vehicles.
A N I M A L S H E L T E R
In 2024, the animal shelter held several events, including the iThink Financial-sponsored adoption drive, Cinco De Mayo with $5 adoptions, the Paula Bowker Memorial Event, and the Summer "Paw"ty, which featured vendors and family activities to support pet adoptions. 903
S H E R I F F ’ S O F F I C E
In 2024, the Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad seized over $3 6 million worth of drugs, including more than 150 pounds of illegal substances. The squad executed 84 search warrants, resulting in 103 arrests and 265 felony warrants.
30,768 30,768 TOTAL INCIDENTS TOTAL INCIDENTS
TRAFFIC STOPS
MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS
110,732 0,732
1396 ARRESTS
Average length of stay was 21 days
On July 27, 2024, the Pickens Sheriff’s Office received a four-year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) after a thorough assessment of its policies, practices, and community feedback. This accreditation highlights the office’s commitment to maintaining transparency, effective service, and compliance with CALEA standards.
