And start the regular council meeting for January 6, 2026.

Happy New Year, everybody.

We'll start the meeting we always do with the invitation tonight, which will be led by Mr.

Anderson, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, which will be led by Mr.

Allen.

If I can get everybody, please stand.

We all bow, please.

Gracious Heavenly Father, thank you for the opportunity to come together tonight and work for the betterment of our community.

Dear Father, we thank you for this beautiful place that we enjoy to live in.

Dear Father, I ask for special blessings on all of our county employees, dedicated, hard working, looking out for people.

Dear Father, ask for wisdom tonight, patience, and understanding among all of us.

Trying to figure out how to do the best we can.

All these things we ask in your name.

Amen.

Thank you.

Please be seated.

All right.

It is a new year, and with the new year, we will start out with the state of the county.

Progress is continuing in Orie County.

Progress has come in many forms from new capital projects to expanded services to improved infrastructure and an updated strategic plan.

As we turn to a new calendar year, it is my privilege on behalf of Orie County Council and the staff to present this state of the county to you.

Orie County has a history of doing things the right way, but we always do things the Orie way as well.

We have an updated strategic plan that outlines how we lead and serve this community.

Our core values of character, collaboration, service, caring, and quality, are at the center of how this council and staff operate and how we will chart the path forward to enhance the quality of life within the county.

This past year, Orie County laid the groundwork on major initiatives such as the Orie County Police Department bringing their fifth precinct online and revenue collections beginning on the Ride 4 program.

We know that there are two major projects that dominate every conversation within the community.

Those are safety and infrastructure, and both are being addressed the right way, methodically and efficiently.

For the last seven years, County Council has said public safety priority one day one, and that continues.

In 2025, our police, fire EMS, and 911 teams responded to a record number of calls for service.

With the growth of the county, County Council supported the needed growth of our public safety departments with new officers for the new police precinct, onboarding larger groups of 911 emergency specialists, and having three Orie County Fire Rescue Recruit classes this year, one of whom just graduated three weeks ago.

The county also broke ground on the public safety training facility, which will be a crucial asset in enhancing our team's training and capabilities.

What is important to note about public safety departments is not just their capabilities to respond to those in need, but the character of the people, a trait shared across the county's three divisions, along with our elected and appointed officials.

Departments' leadership and their staffs provide professional service and make important decisions with data and the guiding principle of doing the right thing.

In 2025, collaboration was not just a buzzword, but was a defining way in which the county was able to accomplish goals and start initiatives.

Orie County expanded on its partnerships with educational institutions with programs like Handle with Care with the Orie County Schools.

This is a program which first responders worked with schools to identify students who they need some extra care.

Thus the title, Handle with Care.

The County has also worked with Orie Georgetown Tech and Coastal Carolina on career pathways and creating touch points with students to highlight how a career in local government can be engaging and rewarding.

This included the county holding its first Orie County Government Day at Coastal to showcase careers and opportunities with students here in Orie County.

Retaining local talent is not only great for our departments, but it's great for the community overall.

This local talent saw their employment opportunities grow in 2025, with businesses making investments in Orie County and Orie County's workforce.

Companies like Gallivans Ferry Sawmill announcing a 10 million dollar investment for operations in Orie County.

Also the Ocean Craft Marine selecting Bucksport as the location for its United States manufacturing operations.

This is just two companies that show that Orie County is an ideal place to do business.

Internally, Orie County departments have never worked closer together and collaborated more than they have this year.

Orie County Emergency Management worked tirelessly with public safety partners on establishing and partnering in a united command structure during major events, such as the response to the Covington Drive Fire.

That fire, along with the snowstorm last January, and the many special events held throughout the year kept our public safety and public works busy, but they rose to the occasion every time.

All departments work together on important planned updates like the county's five-year review and the update of the comprehensive plan and the all-hazards multi-jurisdictional mitigation plan, both of which will help guide decisions on growth, resiliency, and needs for Orie County in the years to come.

Decisions like the recent application from Orie County Solid Waste Authority to the U.S.

Army Corps of Engineers on a proposal to expand the landfill.

This is a project that focuses on future waste management needs and critical component of infrastructure within the county over the next 45 years.

Collaborative efforts will continue in 2026, and members of the community can expect increased communications and proactive updates, highlighting the work and progress being accomplished together every day.

Speaking on these needs, every day our residents and visitors interact with county staff looking for information or resolutions to issues.

Being committed to excellence, our members are not only responsive, but they're proud to serve the community.

Here are some numbers from 2025, and they're pretty impressive.

254,000 calls to 911, 170,000 calls to the Orie County Police Department, 90,000 calls to the fire department, 7,500 calls for the I and R Division, and 4,500 Freedom of Information Request Process.

These calls for services, requests, and inquiries will only increase this year, but I know the dedicated public servants of Orie County are up to the challenge.

The reason I know they're up to the challenge, and the reason I know they're going to accomplish these things is because everyone on this team cares.

It is that caring mindset that works and makes us solve problems, enhance the quality of life, and work to make the community better each day.

From the community development department that assists nonprofits and residents with grant funding and opportunities to the behavioral services team that works as a conduit for service providers to those in need, our people lead with heart to make a positive impact in the community.