WHITE COUNTY, Ga. — On Thursday, the White County Board of Commissioners took a major step toward enhancing the safety of its citizens by voting to purchase a site to construct a new fire station in the northern section of Duncan Bridge Road.

The 1.81-acre site will cost taxpayers $55,000. It is located at the intersection of Duncan Bridge and Sonny Circle.

“There are two areas of White County that have a need for enhanced fire presence,” said Commission Chairman Travis Turner. “For years this Board and our staff have tried to find a property that would give us the biggest bang for the buck and cover the most houses. This location has the potential to benefit 2,096 residences and single-family structures.”

Director of Public Safety David Murphy said he is excited about the opportunity to improve safety and added that he will begin collecting data to provide the Board with an estimated construction cost.

Murphy also noted that a new fire station has the potential to serve 275 industrial/commercial properties, 13 agricultural properties, 286 vacation rental properties, public facilities and utility structures.

“This is one area an ISO consultant recommended for construction of a new fire station,” Murphy said. “It can cover Duncan Bridge and Helen Highway all the way to the bypass into the City of Helen and out to Sautee and 95 percent of Panorama subdivision.