Frequently Asked Questions

Oconee County’s total budget for FY18 is $49,920,904. Oconee County’s FY18 General Fund budget is $26,943,955.

The State of Georgia requires local governments to submit annual audited financial statements to the State Auditor. This process ensures compliance with generally accepted accounting principles. Oconee County is audited annually by an outside auditing firm. The FY16 audit was completed by Treadwell, Tamplin & Co., LLP.

The S&P Global bond rating for Oconee County is AA. An AA bond rating is an investment-grade rating of high quality and very low credit risk.

The shelter is closed on Wednesdays for deep cleaning, additional vetting, bathing, and other animal related duties. Appointments are available upon request.

The fee for dogs or cats is $90. The price includes sterilization, rabies and distemper vaccinations, micro-chipping, wormer, and a light veterinary exam. All animals are sterilized prior to release for adoption and will be picked up from the veterinarian’s office unless prior arrangements are made with the shelter. Oconee County Animal Services does not guarantee the health, temperament, or behavior of an adopted animal. If problems are evident, the shelter will disclose the information to the adopter. Oconee County Animal Services accepts checks and MasterCard, Visa, and Discover cards. A convenience fee of 3% is added when using cards.

The shelter is partnered with PetSmart and has total access to the Cat Adoption Center located on Epps Bridge Road and with the store supplying all food, litter, cleaning materials, and volunteers cleaning, the shelter is able to adopt these cats at a reduced price; $50. This discount applies to animals at PetSmart only, unless otherwise noted.

To view the shelter’s animal inventory, please go to: petango.com/oconeecountyanimalcontrol

If you have any difficulty navigating the page, please feel free to contact the shelter at your earliest convenience. 706.769.3956

If you would like to donate, whether by volunteering or items, please contact the shelter at 706-769-3956. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Animal Services will accept: - Adams Flee Spray - Any Type of Treats - Blankets and Sheets - Canned Dog Food - Catnip - Dog Eyewash - Esiblac Milk Replacement - Knotted Raw-Hides

Any other item you may wish to donate to the shelter will also be accepted.

To report an injured animal, call the shelter during business hours (8 a.m. - 5 p.m.), 706-769-3956. If after 5 p.m., call 911. Keep away from the animal. If the animal is in pain, it may bite. Officers have special training and equipment to help an injured animal without further injuring the animal and without the Officers getting injured. The best way you can help is to call the professionals.

Protect your family and your pets from the rabies virus by keeping your pet current on its vaccination and keeping your pet under control. Sterilizing your pet will help reduce unwanted pregnancies causing pets not to be properly cared for or vaccinated regularly. Call Animal Services at 706-769-3956 to remove all stray or seriously ill animals from your neighborhood, and to keep potentially unvaccinated animals from your family and pet. Daytime activity of otherwise nocturnal animal is occasionally a sign of sickness. However, during spring and early summer, while offspring are being born and raised, it is not rare to find wildlife active during the day, especially on overcast days or on wooded lots. Remove bird feeders, pet food, and access to other types of food or water to decrease the chances of wildlife interaction with people and pets. If you see wildlife, contact the Sheriff's Office non-emergency, 706-769-5665, or an animal removal company.

Prior to reclaiming your pet, you must provide proof your pet is current on its rabies vaccination. Contact your veterinarian and request a faxed copy of your pet’s rabies certificate. The shelter’s fax number is 706-769-2933. Owners are responsible for all boarding and impound fees and fees are due at the time of reclaim. If your pet is not current, you are required to purchase a pre-paid rabies voucher from a veterinarian. The cost will vary by each clinic. You have 3 business days to vaccinate your pet. If you elect not to comply, a citation may be issued. Boarding and Impound Fees start on the first day the animal is impounded. All animals, without a rabies tag on the collar, will receive the following: - A Microchip upon reclaim (if not micro-chipped already) - Bordetella – kennel cough vaccination (dogs only) - Distemper vaccination - Wormer Find reclaim fees on our page.

Please use the Animal Complaint form to notify us of an issue. Be sure to give as much detail as possible; what the complaint is, who is the owner (if known), address (if known), type of animal, color, etc. Please refer to the Animal Ordinance, Section 5-8; Animal Nuisance. The more information you provide, the sooner your complaint will be remedied.

The shelter encourages individuals and groups to volunteer at the shelter. After a brief orientation, volunteers may play with the cats and kittens, walk puppies and dogs or play in the interaction pens, and even bathe the animals to make them more adoptable. For groups of 5 or more, please call ahead and schedule an appointment. Volunteers 16 and younger must be accompanied by a supervising adult.

Contact the Sheriff's non-emergency number - 706.769.5665

All lost and founds are directed to Helping Lost Pets. It's a free website. HelpingLostPets.com You are required to set-up an account. You decide how contact is made; email, phone, text. You may upload a picture and identify the location. You are welcome to call and see if the pet is at the shelter or see if someone may have called about the pet. 706.769.3956

To report animal cruelty or neglect, please click on the link "Report a Concern" towards the bottom of the page. Please supply as much information as possible to insure the call is responded to properly.

If you are an Oconee County Resident, you may bring the animal to the facility. There is an owner surrender fee and it's based on the animal's weight. Please refer to the "Fee" link.

Read guidelines on outdoor burning on this Georgia Forestry Commission Fact Sheet.

Outdoor Burn Info (PDF)

No. However, a request can be made for a truck to come to a birthday party only when volunteers are available.

Unfortunately, no.  Your options are to either wait for it to come out or contact a cat rescue professional.

Please contact Fire Marshal, Russ Henson at 706-769-3975

Please Contact April Dorsett, RN / Coalition Coordinator @ Piedmont Athens Regional. Email: april.dorsett@piedmont.org

Check to ensure there are working batteries in the alarms.

Please contact Fire Marshal, Russ Henson at 706-769-3975

This information may be obtained by searching the qPublic website:

https://qpublic.schneidercorp.com/Application.aspx?AppID=686&LayerID=11376&PageTypeID=1&KeyValue=A%2010%20%20012F

Currently, we offer EXPLORERS program for 14 - 17 year old youth. To find out more about this program, please contact Branden Newton at 706-248-5348.

Volunteers are always welcome or donations can be made by calling the office for more information. 706-769-3975

Complete application provided online at www.oconeecountyga.gov and bring to our office for review, along with a copy of High School diploma and Driver's License so that we can make a copy.

Fire Department is not able to fill pools.

Fire Rescue reports can be requested through Oconee County website: 

https://www.oconeecountyga.gov

At the bottom of the page, there is a link to "Open Records Request Form". Complete the form and it goes directly to the County Clerk to process.

Boy Scouts of America Northeast Georgia: 706-693-2446 to find a local scout pack or troop to donate it to.

Citizens can also retire American flags at the Oconee County Courthouse.

Smoke detectors are available at any local or online retailer.

Can trailers are present at most fire stations. Money from donated cans are used for Department Operations.

It is a good rule of thumb to change batteries in monitored and unmonitored alarms twice a year (each time you change clocks).

County wide rating is 4/4X.

Volunteer Firefighter recruits complete approx. 240 hours of fire training with over 150 hands-on practicals to also include physical training with full gear and breathing apparatus. The recruits participate in Live Fire training to become experienced in extinguishing structure fires. Recruits will also learn basic knowledge of extrication and haz-mat. OCFR Firefighter 1 training certification is the same as most career fire departments.

Volunteer Medical recruits complete approx. 116 hours of medical training with practicals. The recruits also ride on National EMS ambulances to gain additional knowledge on assisting patients with medical emergencies. This class begins every September and runs through end of November.

Information Required on Application: - Complete Name - County of Residence - Date of Birth - Mailing Address if Different - Residence Address - Valid Driver's License or GA ID or SSN - Signature or Mark

Optional information includes race, gender and telephone number.

To view the current local elected officials, please use the following link:  Local Elected Officials List

The period of Advance Voting shall commence on the fourth Monday immediately prior to each election and as soon as possible prior to a runoff but no later than the second Monday immediately prior to such runoff and shall end on the Friday immediately prior to each primary, election, or runoff.

Voting shall be conducted during normal business hours on weekdays (other than a observed state holidays) during such period and shall be conducted on the second and third Saturday prior to a primary or election from 9 am to 5 pm.   

Learn more on My Voter Page.

The Oconee County Civic Center will book regular events up to six (6) months in advance of the date(s) being requested. Weddings/Receptions, Business Expos, and some theatrical events may be booked up to twelve (12) months in advance of the date(s) being requested at the discretion of the Oconee County Civic Center staff.

Banquet Room:

• 400 with no tables
• 350 with tables

Theatre:

• 500 maximum

The Oconee County Civic Center does allow alcoholic beverages to be served by special permit only. All permits are one time use only and come directly from the Oconee County Civic Center, they are only applicable to your event date at our location and are non-transferable.

Please understand per the State of Georgia Law alcoholic beverages cannot be sold on our premises, nor any items pertaining to the service of the alcoholic beverages.

For further information please contact the Oconee County Civic Center staff at 706-769-3902.

Most groups hosting events open to the public at the Oconee County Civic Center handle their own ticket sales. However, if you are having difficulty contacting a group to purchase tickets please feel free to contact our office directly at 706-769-3902 and we will be happy to help you.

Events being hosted here at the Oconee County Civic Center are welcome to post a message on our Marquee.

Any messages pertaining specifically to non-profit events open to the citizens of Oconee County may be submitted and if approved are displayed as space is available.

No personal, political, business messages or paid advertisements allowed.

Check out the Civic Center Public Calendar to find out about upcoming events.

The best way to find out about job openings is to the visit the Employment Opportunities section of our web site, where you can browse job listings, job descriptions and linked benefit information. 

You should review "Application and Hiring Procedures" before completing your employment application.

Once you have found a job opening that interests you, you can apply online or apply in person at our offices where applications are available for your use.

Sorry, but no. We only accept applications for positions that are currently open.  Be sure to check our job listings often for updates on open positions. If you are interested in an open position, you should submit your application as soon as possible to be sure you are considered for that position.

A resume or letter of interest cannot be accepted in place of a County application, but may be attached to an application for additional information.

You may submit a photocopy of a previous paper application, as long as you sign again with a current date. You should take care, however, that the information on the application is accurate, current, and applicable to each position for which you apply.

If you have applied for a previous position within 90 days, you can ask Human Resources to see if your application is still on file for submission.

Applications are forwarded to the Hiring Department for the vacant position. Your application will be screened to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position you are applying for.  If your application is selected to be considered, then the Hiring Department will notify you to schedule an interview. If you are extended an offer of employment, it will be contingent upon completing all pre-employment requirements, i.e. drug screening, criminal background checks, etc.

Recyclable Items 

• Plastic food trays, bottles, jugs, cups and wide mouth containers
• Rigid plastics like toys, buckets, bins, etc.
• Empty aerosol cans with lids removed
• Milk and juice cartons and boxes
• Aluminum cans, foil and trays
• Metal food cans, rinsed
• Glass bottles and jars with lids removed
• Cereal and food boxes, flattened
• Cardboard and pizza boxes, flattened
• Magazines, phone books, catalogs and paperback books
• Mixed paper, paper bags, junk mail and newspapers

Note: Oconee County collection sites collect recyclables in a dual stream system with glass, plastics, steel and aluminum cans co-mingled and paper and cardboard products co-mingled. All items for recycling must be clean with any handles removed.

Not Accepted for Recycling 

For information on what do with these hard to recycle items, click here.

• Batteries or Light Bulbs
• Ceramics
• Food
• Dishes and Glassware
• Hardcover Books
• Napkins or Paper Towels
• Antifreeze Containers (cooking oil may be recycled at all Oconee County Sites and motor oil may be recycled at Butler's Crossing and Hwy 441 locations)
• Paper Plates and Cups
• Plastic Bags
• Plastic Cutlery
• Pots and Pans
• Shredded Paper
• Styrofoam
• Wire Hangers

If you have questions regarding recycling other items, please call 706-310-3560 or email kocbc@oconee.ga.us.

The Oconee County Public Works Department through its Sanitation Division offers a very economical way for Oconee Citizens to haul their trash and recyclables at one time to any of the five Solid Waste & Recycling Collection sites throughout the county. Just place all your non-recyclable items into a Pay as You Throw bag (available locally at a nominal fee) and put them in the appropriate bin at the collection site of your choice. The Pay as You Throw bags are currently blue but if you have a magenta bag you may still use it. 

Pay as You Throw bags can be purchased at the following Oconee County locations: All county waste collection sites - AJ’s at Highway 78 & Mars Hill Road - All Oconee County Golden Pantries - Bells Food Store at Butler’s Crossing - Bogart Pantry on Highway 29 - Kroger’s on Epps Bridge Road - Oconee Fast Mart on Hog Mountain Road - Publix at Butler's Crossing - T’s Corner at Highway 78 & Highway 53

Pay as You Throw Bag Prices: - 32 Gallon, $3.00 - 20 Gallon, $2.00

Members of the commission are Oconee County citizens like you who are appointed by the Oconee County Board of Commissioners to three year terms, people who are interested in keeping our beautiful county clean and in promoting environmentally sound practices to make it even better.

Please visit the Current Commission Members page for a list of current KOCBC members. 

In addition to the commission members, KOCBC offers auxiliary membership that does not require appointment by the BOC, just a willingness to participate in the KOCBC meetings and projects. Please call 706-310-3560 if you interested in becoming a part of this active, friendly, and environmentally minded group.

Learn more on our Recyclable Information & Locations page.

If interested in joining the Keep Oconee County Beautiful Commission, please call 706-310-3560.

When establishing water and sewer service with Oconee County Water, you will need to verify that we service the location. Once our office has verified your location is serviceable, an application will need to be completed and proper deposits and service charges paid. Our office can verify the total fee that needs to be paid when you call. We will need a copy of the driver's license of the individual that is signing up for service and, if this is a rental property, we will need a copy of the rental and/or lease agreement. All items listed must be submitted to our office before service can be established. We do not provide same day service. Applications must be complete and paid before 3:00pm during regular business hours in order to get next day service.  Anything submitted after that time will require an additional business day. For commercial service, we also require a completed sewer capacity request form to verify that all capacity fees have been paid unless a septic tank is being used and has been approved.

OCONEE COUNTY WATER DEPARTMENT RATES

EFFECTIVE July 2025

WATER RATES

Meter Size Base Charge

**5/8” ……………..…………………………………………………………………$ 17.95

1”…………………………………………………………………………………..$ 41.50

1 ½”………………………………………………………………………………..$ 80.85

2”…………………………………………………………………………………..$128.02

3”…………………………………………………………………………………..$238.12

4”…………………………………………………………………………………..$395.40

6”……....…………………………………………………………………………..$788.59

**Super Conservers – a $4.95 discount will be applied to residential 5/8”x 3/4” customers

(does not include irrigation meters) who utilize less than 1000 gallons within a billing cycle.

Rates Per 1,000 Gallons

Residential Rates

1 – 7,000 ………………………….….…………..$ 6.19

7,001 – 14,000..…………………………………. $ 8.47

14,001 and over…………………………….…….$10.74

Commercial and Institutional ….………….…… $ 7.43

SEWER RATES

Residential Base Charge…………………………………………$20.36

Rate Per 1,000 Gallons……………………….………………….$ 7.33

Commercial Base Charge ………………..……………………...$49.40

Rate Per 1,000 Gallons ……………………...…………………..$ 7.35

Industrial Base Charge ……………………………………….....$68.78

Rate Per 1,000 Gallons ………………………………….………$ 8.91

Water Availability, Meter Installation, and Inspection Fees

5/8” ……………………………………………………………$ 2,658.00

1”…………………………..…………………………………..$ 4,265.00

1 ½” ………………..………………………………………… $ 7,575.00

2”

.…………………….…………………...…………………...$11,550.00

Road Bores will be calculated upon request.

Residential Sewer Fees

Sewer Availability & Inspection.......……………………………$3,732.20

Connection Fee…………………………………………………..$ 850.00

*All fees subject to change.

*Hydrant meters require a refundable $2,010.00 deposit and a $50.00 service charge for large hydrants. A

refundable $350.00 deposit and $50.00 service charge is required for small hydrant meters. Meter must be

returned and bill paid before deposit is refunded. Bulk water will be charged at a rate of $10.74 per 1,000

gallons. Deposit will be refunded after final charges are applied and paid.

Water Sampling- $50.00

*All fees subject to change.

Most meters are equipped with a leak indicator that can help you identify if you have a leak at your home. Meter locations are typically in the road right of way in a rectangular box with a metal or plastic lid. Before you go out to look at your water meter, make sure all water is turned off inside your home. If any water is left on from faucets running or clothes washers, etc., this will affect the results. Once you find your meter, carefully remove the lid as the antenna is connecting the lid and meter and clean the glass face of the meter. If all water is off to your home, the red needle leak indicator on the meter face should not be moving. If it is moving, that means that water is being pulled through the meter and there is the possibility of a leak. There are also some meters that have an LCD display and the rate of flow will show usage. The leak could be anywhere from the meter box to inside the home. A plumber may be able to help you identify the location of the leak. Please contact Oconee Water Resources Department if you have any questions regarding a possible leak 706-769-3960. 

View examples here.

Payment options are listed on the back of each invoice. You may pay by mail, enroll in automatic bank draft, pay by phone at 855-725-0896 (fees apply), in our office, through our website (fees apply), or use online billpay through your bank.

Herman C. Michael is located at 1051 Elder Road in Bishop, just off Highway 53/Hog Mountain Road. 

Bogart Sports Complex is located at 200 South Burson/Thompson Street in Bogart, behind the Bogart Library.

Heritage Park is located at 2543 Macon Highway, Watkinsville, seven miles south of downtown Watkinsville and ten miles north of Madison.

Oconee Veterans Park is located at 3500A Hog Mountain Road, Watkinsville across from Herman C. Michael Park on Highway 53/Hog Mountain Road.

The main office located at Oconee Veterans Park is open from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Follow the easy directions below to create a Family Account and Register Online for our programs. All activities will be filled on a first come, first serve basis.
 

• Visit the Community Pass website.
• Click on "Create an Account."
• Once account is created, log in and click "Register Now" for current program offerings.
• Confirm correct account information and edit as needed, then click continue.
• Select participants in your family account you are registering for a program, then click continue.
• Select program to register the participant, then click continue.
• Continue following instructions to complete registration and make payment.

Visit our Volunteer Coach Corner

In order for a child to participate in any competitive youth activity, at least one parent must be a current member of the NAYS Parent Orientation and Membership Program (formerly PAYS).  To fulfill this requirement follow the steps below:

1. Go to http://www.nays.org/parents

2. Select blue “Sign Up!” button

3. Completing the PAYS program: click “Get Started”

4. Contact Information: Complete contact info, then click “Next”

5. Program affiliation requirement: click “Yes”

6. Navy affiliated sports program: click “No”

7. League/Agency: select “Oconee County Pks & Rec Dept” and then click “Next”

8. Payment Information: NO PAYMENT OR DONATION REQUIRED, simply click “Confirm”

9. Confirmation: Click “Process”

10. Thank You for Registering page appears, click “Next”

11. Click “Start the NAYS Parent Course”

12. Click on video to begin course

13. Answer required course questions to complete

Weather related delays, cancellations and closings call our main line at 706-769-3965 and select Option "2". Game cancellations are determined by 4 p.m. each day. The coaches or league representatives are contacted if games are cancelled. Coaches will then contact parents with cancellation information.

2026 Registration Dates

• Spring - In County Residents: January 26; Out of County Residents: February 9, 2026
• Summer - In County Residents: April 13; Out of County Residents: April 27, 2026
• Fall - In County Residents: July 6; Out of County Residents: July 20, 2026
• Winter - In County Residents: September 28; Out of County Residents: October 12, 2026

Follow the easy directions below to create a Family Account and Register Online for our programs. All activities will be filled on a first come, first serve basis. If a league is full, you can register for the wait list by registering you/your child for activity online.
 

• Visit the Community Pass website.
• Click on "Create an Account."
• Once account is created, log in and click "Register Now" for current program offerings.
• Confirm correct account information and edit as needed, then click continue.
• Select participants in your family account you are registering for a program, then click continue.
• Select program to register the participant, then click continue.
• Continue following instructions to complete registration and make payment.

The Regular Meetings of the Oconee County Board of Commissioners are held on the first Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. 

An Agenda Setting Meeting is held the Tuesday preceding the first Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. At the Agenda Setting Meeting, the Board of Commissioners reviews those items to be considered at the Regular Meeting.

During December of each year, the Board of Commissioners approves a meeting schedule for the following year, taking into account any scheduling conflicts. The meeting schedule is posted on the County website and the Courthouse Bulletin Board.

Meetings are held in the Oconee County Commission Chambers inside the Administrative building located at 7635 Macon Highway, Watkinsville, GA 30677. 

Commissioners are elected at-large to designated posts. Commissioners are elected to represent all citizens throughout the county.

There is an agenda item for public comment at the beginning of all Regular and Agenda Setting Meetings.

For a listing of email addresses for our Board of Commissioners, please view our

The Public Works office is open to the public 8 A.M to 5 P.M. Monday through Friday.

Oconee County is responsible for the placement and cost of operation for street lights within the unincorporated area; however, all maintenance, including bulb replacement, is performed by the power provider. You may call Public Works at 706-769-2937 to report a street light that is not working.

The County does not remove any tree or limbs on private property. 

If the dead animal is on public property and is a non-domesticated (wild) animal, call the Road Department Office: 706-769-3912.

If the dead animal is on public property and is a domesticated animal (cat, dog or other pet), call the Animal Services Office: 706-769-3956.

If the dead animal is on a State highway, call the GDOT Athens Area Office at 706-583-2644.

If the dead animal is on private property, it is the landowner’s responsibility to dispose of the animal properly.

Please submit a service request to the Public Works Department or call Public Works at 706-769-2937. After hours (8:00am-5:00pm), please call 911.

Oconee County does not allow speed bumps/humps/tables on public roads. Speed bumps do not significantly reduce vehicle speeds once the vehicle leaves the speed bump. Speed bumps present a potential hazard to all vehicles and an immediate danger to bicyclists, motorcyclists, and emergency vehicles. They are best employed in parking lots, not roads.

Please call the Road Department at 706-769-3912. Messages left after hours will be addressed the following work day.

The Oconee County development code requires the owner of the property on which the drainage easement lies to be responsible for maintenance and the Home Owner’s Association (HOA) of the subdivision to be responsible for maintaining the detention ponds.

Please stop by the Senior Center and take a tour with one of the Center’s courteous and professional staff members or give us a call at 706-769-3979.  We look forward to meeting with you to complete your membership registration!  

Emergency management involves planning, response, assignment and coordination of available resources, requesting of additional resources when shortfalls are observed, mitigation, preparedness, and recovery for natural or man-made emergencies. It provides for the safety of our citizens. Since most known possible hazards have been identified, we continually review and develop plans to address the needs before, during and after an emergency or disaster. We work together with our cities, neighboring counties, and Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security in order to ensure a correct and adequate response will be made in the event of an emergency or disaster.

Oconee County has utilized CodeRED for several years. CodeRED is a mass notification system that will serve multiple roles. Enrolled citizens can receive alerts such as weather warnings, water main breaks, road closures, etc. This system is robust and allows us to communicate with the community with greater efficiency, which in turn makes Oconee County a safer place.

To sign up for CodeRED, click here: CodeRED enrollment

App Store for iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/codered-mobile-alert/id468404991
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ecnetwork.crma

Additionally, Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS) alerts are available via CodeRED. We have the proper clearance to send those messages to anyone within the counties during calamities if necessary. For more information on IPAWS, click here: IPAWS FAQ

Create a Ready Georgia profile. Go to the following website: https://gema.georgia.gov/plan-prepare/ready-georgia and create a profile. Once the profile is created, follow the recommendations for a customized preparedness strategy for you and your household of humans and other creatures. If you follow these recommendations, you will find yourself prepared for most disasters that could come our way.

Follow National Weather Service tips. Go the following website: https://www.weather.gov/ama/severesafetytips. This will lead you to a wealth of information on tornadoes and other severe weather.

Quite simply, a severe weather watch indicates potential risk for severe weather. A warning means that severe weather has either been spotted on radar or by a spotter within that specific area.

Here are the technical definitions, according to the National Weather Service:

Watch: A watch is issued when the risk of a hazardous weather or hydrologic event has increased significantly, but its occurrence, location, and/or timing is still uncertain. It is intended to provide enough lead time so that those who need to set their plans in motion can do so.

Warning: A warning is issued when a hazardous weather or hydrologic event is occurring, is imminent, or has a very high probability of occurring. A warning is used for conditions posing a threat to life or property.

No! Severe weather sirens are expensive, maintenance intensive, and generally are outdated technology. Modern times have given way to methods significantly more reliable for warning citizens about coming severe weather. Those methods include NOAA weather radios, emergency messaging such as through CodeRED, RELIABLE news and weather smartphone apps, and handheld lightning detectors. Additionally, Oconee EMA remains in constant communication with the National Weather Service regarding upcoming severe weather. While Oconee EMA cannot assume responsibility for brokering of weather information, the agency will communicate with governmental and private response partners regarding preparedness for severe weather. Additionally, Oconee EMA will update social media and the EMA website when time permits. We will provide you with information via the above channels in advance of a storm in order ensure ample opportunity for preparedness.

If you live or work in a place with weather sirens and have found this page, please understand that weather sirens are only intended to be heard outside. A weather siren near your home or business cannot be relied upon to wake you or alert you while inside. This is another reason why they are not a viable option for Oconee County.

For recommendations on the smartphone apps used by EMA staff, give us a call.

In general, a state of emergency is a declaration by the government that suspends normal governmental functions, alerts citizens to alter their normal behaviors, or begins implementation of emergency preparedness plans in certain geographic regions. States of emergency are declared at the municipal, county, and state levels.

• LOCAL DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY: Oconee County can declare a “local state of emergency” even before the Governor makes his or her declaration. However, a local state of emergency serves primarily to alert citizens and staff of emergency conditions and to enact certain local emergency ordinances and procedures for dealing with emergencies. Although there is no specific statutory authority for declaring a “local emergency,” we may use this as an order to trigger provisions of the emergency management ordinance that do not require the Governor’s declaration. For example, in a local state of emergency, Oconee County can activate the emergency management ordinance, which waives time-consuming bidding requirements and other formalities. While the special powers that accompany a declaration by the Governor do not apply during a local emergency, a local declaration does allow Oconee County Board of Commissioners some of the other flexibilities to respond to the emergency while awaiting the Governor’s declaration. A local declaration can come before or after a state declaration.
• STATE DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY: When an emergency occurs that may overwhelm the resources normally available to the county, the Governor can declare a state of emergency. The Governor’s declaration of emergency authorizes the state and county to exercise emergency powers outlined in statute. A state declaration is typically the first declaration when a disaster strikes. Counties have special powers during a state declaration of emergency. Including these powers and how they are implemented in a county’s ordinance makes this vital information easily accessible and makes the authority and ability to take certain actions clearer. In the midst of an emergency, there is no time to waste trying to sort out the chair’s authority or how to implement the chair’s special temporary powers.
• FEDERAL (PRESIDENTIAL) DISASTER DECLARATION: When appropriate, the President of the United States may declare a federal disaster. The declaration might not be made until after the event has occurred. An effort by federal officials to assess damage may be employed to determine if a situation warrants a Presidential declaration. When the President signs a declaration of disaster, it allows FEMA to use its resources to help manage the emergency and allows other federal agencies to offer assistance in areas included in the declaration. In such a case, the citizens and businesses in any county included in the declaration may have access to federal grants and low interest loans to help repair and restore property. Any county included in the declaration may be reimbursed some of the costs of recovering from the disaster through FEMA. However, boards of commissioners must prepare to pay up front for emergency services, because the declaration may be delayed. Even when the declaration is immediate, reimbursement may take several months, or even years, to be processed. In order to be eligible for FEMA reimbursement, counties must comply with several conditions that require good record keeping. FEMA generally requires counties to comply with county established procedures while responding to an emergency. In the midst of a disaster, there may not be time to bid out emergency supplies or services according to the county’s regular purchasing ordinance or policy. Oconee County has an established exception in its ordinances for emergency purchases and the county will follows it when buying emergency supplies, which will align the county with regulations entitled to FEMA reimbursement. FEMA also requires that a mutual aid agreement be in effect in order to reimburse the county for money paid to other governmental entities for assistance during an emergency.

EOC stands for Emergency Operations Center. An EOC is an area set aside for use by Emergency Management during a disaster to conduct operations regarding the disaster that include conduct emergency communications, distribution of information to stakeholders and the media, and an area for elected officials. We are fortunate here in Oconee County in that our EOC is co-located with the Sheriff's Office and E-911 in Watkinsville, where we are able to make use of the EOC for multiple purposes including training and meetings for public safety personnel. 

Storm water runoff is the rain that hits the ground and flows off streets, rooftops, and lawns. Storm water is collected by storm drains and drainage ditches and flows into streams, rivers, and lakes.

Storm water runoff picks up pollutants and debris as it flows across rooftops and lawns, streets, and parking lots. During periods of rainfall, pollutants are picked up and washed directly  into our streams, rivers, and lakes. Some of these pollutants include oil and grease, harmful bacteria, fertilizers, toxic chemicals, and other contaminants which are harmful to both people and aquatic life. A common misconception is that water running off streets and into a storm drain goes to a wastewater treatment plant. It does not. In fact, storm water usually receives no treatment.

We all are! The fact is that all of us are part of the storm water pollution problem. Many of the things that we do on a daily basis, including taking care of our lawns, driving our cars, washing our vehicles, and walking our pets, can contribute to storm water pollution. Since we are all part of the problem, we now have the opportunity to be part of the solution.

• Never dump anything down storm drains
• Keep leaves and grass clippings out of the street, gutter, drainage ditches, and storm drains
• Use fertilizer and pesticides sparingly
• Vegetate bare spots in your yard
• Direct downspouts away from paved surfaces
• Check vehicles for leaks and recycle motor oil
• Pick up after your pet
• Throw litter in its place
• If you wash your vehicle at home, do so on the lawn rather than on pavement
• Have your septic tank pumped and the system inspected regularly

Contact Sheriff James A Hale Jr. during business hours.

Hours

8:00 am to 5:00 pm

You may call at 706-769-3945. After business hours, contact the dispatch center at 706-769-5665 or by email.

To pick up a copy of a motor vehicle crash or incident report, please contact the Sheriff's Office during business hours at 706-769-3945. If you are not a party involved in a car crash, you may not be able to pick up the report. The Sheriff's Office complies with the Georgia Open Records Act and there may be costs associated with the research and reproduction of documents as provided by law.

To complete a criminal history request for your own employment purposes, you must come to the administrative office of the Sheriff's Office and submit the required form. You may pick up the form and complete it when you come in, or you may download the form from this website, complete it at your convenience, and present it in person along with the required fee of $20 cash only. A government-issued photo ID is required, driver's license, passport, etc. If you wish to request a criminal history report, please print the Consent Form (PDF), and bring the completed form to the Sheriff's Office.

If you have an issue with the accuracy of a report generated by the Sheriff's Office, you should first contact the deputy who prepared it.  He or she may correct mistakes, but may not make changes that alter the facts as written unless there is a material mistake.  The final decision is the responsibility of the employee who created the report.  Reports will not be altered or changed if the information is factually accurate.

If you want to do business with the Sheriff's Office, contact Sheriff Hale directly at 706-769-3945 or by email.

Job applications must be picked up and returned to the Oconee County Human Resources Department located at the Courthouse in Watkinsville. Only after the application is complete will it be forwarded to the Sheriff's Office for review.  Apply Here

If you want to complain about the conduct of an employee or praise the conduct of an employee, contact the Chief Deputy at 706-769-3945 or by email. He will forward all information to the Sheriff and/or the appropriate supervisor for follow-up. He is responsible to the Sheriff for the conduct of all internal affairs investigations. Anonymous complaints may be followed up or not, based on the nature of the investigation or information reported.

Captain Matt Towe is responsible for the day-to-day operations in the Jail. He can be reached at 706-769-3930 during business hours or email Captian Towe. To contact him after hours, call the dispatch center at 706-769-5665.

If someone you know is in jail, they will either have a bond issued immediately after booking or within 72 hours of their arrest, depending upon the charges.  They will have ample opportunity to reach someone to arrange a bond.  See the "Bond Procedures" and "Bonding Companies" entry in the Jail section for further details.

The Oconee County Jail has a doctor trained in emergency medicine under contract who is responsible for all inmate medical needs. We use outside medical sources, when required, to provide inmate care. If you know an inmate that is sick or injured, the inmate must make a request to see the doctor. The jail staff will assist him or her as required. The jail staff and the Sheriff are not doctors, and can not give medical advice to an inmate. The jail physician makes all medical decisions.

You may insert cash into our kiosk located at the Oconee County Sheriff's Office or you may go to Jail ATM. This link will take you to the Canteen's website where you will scroll down to Oconee County GA. Follow the rest of the instructions directing you how to buy items from the store for an inmate currently incarcerated in our jail.

See the "Bond Procedures" entry in the Jail section.

Inmates earn the privilege of "good time" based on behavior, type of sentence, and participation in work details. Good time can be revoked for jail infractions. Good time is a privilege that must be maintained by an inmate.

Inmates are only allowed to contact people who wish to have contact with them. Collect calls ensure that only people who want calls from the jail actually receive them.  If you wish to provide money to an inmate for calls you may go to Paytel to add money to an inmates account.

You may dial 706-769-5665 and contact Captain Deanna Smith email or Lieutenant Robert Elder email.

All requests for 911 recordings must be in compliance with the Georgia Open Records Act (GORA). If you would like to request a copy of a 911 recording, come to the administration office of the Sheriff's Office and request a form to request the recording. The request will then be submitted to the Supervisor of Communications for a determination of whether or not the information can be provided. If the information can be given out pursuant to GORA, there may be a nominal fee for that service.

The patrol division has a supervisor on duty 24 hours a day. He or she can be reached by calling the non-emergency dispatch number at 706-769-5665.

The sheriff's office provides house checks for individuals who plan to be absent from their home for vacation or other purposes. You can come by the administration office and fill out a house check form, or you can click here for a downloadable form and drop it off to the administration office after it is complete. View the Request for Security Check (PDF).

Lieutenant Marla Brown email is the training director for the Sheriff's Office. We have POST certified instructors that teach a variety of topics in jail, patrol, and communications operations.

You can check the progress of your case by contacting Captain Vic Green email or the investigator assigned to your case. The phone number to contact Investigation personnel during business hours is 706-769-3945.

If an arrest has been made in your case, contact the District Attorney's Office at 706-769-3954 to make a status inquiry.

You can report information to the Sheriff's Office by calling 706-769-3945 and asking to speak to any investigator on duty.

The GBI, under most circumstances, is asked by the Sheriff or the DA to assist in an investigation. Contact them at 706-542-7901 if you have further questions regarding their jurisdiction.