The Council for Quality Growth, in partnership with the Douglas County Chamber and Douglas County Government, hosted the 2024 State of Douglas County Address on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 for lunch at the Douglasville Conference Center. A packed house of over 250 and Chamber members, elected officials, businesses, residents, county staff, and partners of Douglas County attended to hear annual remarks from county leadership. The 2024 State of Douglas was presented by Atlas and Elevate Douglas. 

Phil Miller was appointed as Chair of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners in May of 2023 by Governor Brian Kemp. He served 4 terms and 16 years as the county’s Sheriff and retired from police work in 2016. This was his inaugural address as Chairman of Douglas County. 

He began by stating that Douglas County is “relentless” in its commitment to serving its residents. Unlike many other metro Atlanta counties, Douglas is the sole provider of basic government services like law enforcement, fire, EMS, 911, libraries, and senior services. “We don’t take that responsibility lightly,” said Chairman Miller, “and we strive every day to deliver the best to our citizens.” 

The Chairman reported a fiscally healthy county with zero debt and a decreased millage rate last year. He stated Douglas County is overseeing $105 million in grants while actively pursuing additional funding and that the 2022 SPLOST has supplied $25 million and counting for quality of life advancements and capital projects around the county. The Douglas Forward 2025 Comprehensive Plan spawned the Douglas County Reinvestment Plan, a 3-year plan that will invest $100 million into public safety, infrastructure and facilities, economic development, and recreational facilities and programs. The Chairman reported that $30 million has been allocated in the first 6 months. 

Some of these investments include raising law enforcement salaries. A survey of Douglas County citizens yielded public safety as the number one priority. Chairman Miller is prioritizing market competitiveness to attract and retain talent to public safety positions within Douglas, proudly reporting the Sherriff’s Department is the 2^nd highest paid in the region. 

Douglas County is also investing in infrastructure, both county facilities and transportation projects. The $2.6 million Stewart Mill intersection project was completed last year, and the $21 million Lee Road widening project is well underway. Many other major transportation improvements are in the pipeline. The transportation department also received a $500,000 federal grant to address transportation safety concerns. “Douglas County’s investment in transportation infrastructure has reached its peak level to date,” said the Chairman. The County also approved its first Transit Master Plan in December, which would expand transit service county-wide. The first of the changes to fixed routes will be implemented next month on May 6^th.

Other projects that are part of the county’s Reinvestment Plan include a $3.9 million grant-funded senior center, and a SPLOST-funded library renovation. “Douglas County has prioritized quality of life,” said Chairman Miller. He announced the launch of an online portal and phone service to streamline non-emergency issues such as traffic problems, stray animals, code enforcement matters, and more. Community engagement and beautification projects continue to be part of the vision as well. 

Chairman Miller and his Board of Commissioners are looking well ahead into the future of Douglas County. Last September, they unanimously adopted a Comprehensive Plan update that identifies opportunities for new land uses, transportation improvements, housing developments, and green space opportunities. They’ve partnered with the Atlanta Regional Commission on a study of the Highway 92 corridors as part of the Livable Centers Initiative. The Chairman is hopeful that through this study, Douglas County will be able to leverage additional funding to make land use visions a reality.

“Douglas County remains proactive in representing our community at the regional level,” he said. “Through the partnerships, we continue to secure funds and strategically program projects that benefit our county and our residents.” Chairman Miller concluded his address with a video presentation highlighting the work accomplished in 2023. He reminded the room of the Douglas County mantra “One Douglas, Forward Together.”

The Council for Quality Growth’s State of Douglas County annually convenes the county’s business community with its local government bodies, as well as with other local leaders from across the region. “Douglas County continues to make the right investments to attract high-quality development here,” said Michael Paris, President & CEO of the Council, “and the Council is proud to partner with the county and its leadership to ensure local policy supports this growth.”

 The State of Douglas featured remarks from Sally Riker, 2024 Council Chair and Vice President of Strategy & Growth at Atlas. Todd Long, Georgia Division Lead at Atlas, and Chris Pumphrey, President at Elevate Douglas, gave presenting sponsor remarks. Attendees also heard from Douglas County’s Chief Communications Officer, Yvette Jones, Douglas County Chamber’s President & CEO Sara Ray, and Danny Johnson, Managing Director of the Natural Resources Department of the ARC’s Metro North Georgia Water Planning District.