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The City of Statesboro announced Friday the upcoming retirement of Police Chief Mike Broadhead, effective July 1, 2026. Broadhead concludes a nine-year tenure leading the department, capping off a law enforcement career spanning more than 40 years.

Broadhead arrived in Statesboro in April 2017 after serving seven years as the chief of police in Riverton, Wyoming. His career began in 1984 as a military police officer in the U.S. Army. Following his military service, he spent 22 years with the police department in Littleton, Colorado, where he rose through the ranks from patrol officer to lieutenant.

Throughout his time in Statesboro, Broadhead emphasized a community-first policing philosophy. Under his direction, the department increased its public outreach, regularly hosting local events designed to foster direct interaction between officers and residents.

“In my opinion, he has done an outstanding job as Police Chief,” said Statesboro City Manager Charles Penny. “He has navigated some tumultuous times and has handled them in a professional manner. He guided the department through the Black Lives Matter period, and I am thankful we had a chief who never shied away from tough conversations and was always accessible to our community members.”

During his time at SPD, Broadhead also focused on stabilizing the department’s turnover rate. While the department previously faced significant staffing challenges, including as many as 18 vacancies at one point, the agency has reached full staffing levels during his tenure.

“Today, we have virtually no vacancies in the department,” said Penny. “It is because of his steady leadership, professionalism, and advocacy for his employees that we have a thriving, well-managed Police Department.”

The city has not yet announced a timeline for the search for Broadhead’s successor.

The City of Statesboro, in partnership with Georgia Power and State Representative Lehman Franklin, will host a Georgia Power Discount & Resource Day on Saturday, December 6, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at City Hall. The event is designed to connect residents with programs and resources that may help reduce monthly energy costs.

Georgia Power representatives will be available onsite to speak with customers one-on-one, answer questions, review eligibility, and assist with completing applications. One of the primary programs highlighted during the event offers the opportunity for eligible customers to receive a $33.50 monthly discount on their Georgia Power bill.

Eligibility for the discount includes residents who receive:

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Housing Choice Vouchers, or
• Individuals age 65 or older with income at or below 200% of the federal income guidelines

The event will be held in the City Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall, located at 50 Main Street, Statesboro, GA.

For those unable to attend in person, additional information and online applications are available at georgiapower.com/discounthelp.

The City encourages residents who may qualify—or who know someone who could benefit—to take advantage of this resource opportunity.

The City of Statesboro has been honored with two awards from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) (www.gfoa.org), recognizing excellence in both financial reporting and budgeting. This week, GFOA notified the City’s Finance Department that it had received awards for its Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and its Fiscal Year 2026 Budget.

“These recognitions speak to the dedication of our finance team and further validate the great work of the department, ” said Statesboro City Manager Charles Penny. “Sound financial management doesn’t happen by accident—it takes collaboration and a shared vision.”

GFOA bestowed a “Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting” to the city for its Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024. This award is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting and represents a significant accomplishment by the city and its management. The report was judged by an impartial panel on its ability to demonstrate a “spirit of full disclosure,” clearly communicate the City’s financial story, and encourage the public to engage with it.

Statesboro additionally received GFOA’s “Distinguished Budget Presentation Award” for its Fiscal Year 2026 budget. To earn this distinction, the City’s budget was evaluated against nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. The scoring criteria assessed how well the budget serves as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide, and a communications device.

City of Statesboro Finance Director Cindy West added, “Our team is honored to see our work being recognized at the national level. We work to ensure that every report and budget we produce aligns with the city’s mission to  keep residents informed and demonstrates a responsible management of public funds.”

The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) is a professional organization serving more than 25,000 members across the United States and Canada. The association advances excellence in government finance by promoting best practices, professional development, resources, and research for the benefit of the communities its members serve.

For more information about GFOA and its awards programs, visit www.gfoa.org.

Disclaimer: The following results are based on vote totals listed on the Georgia Secretary of State’s website as of Wednesday morning, November 5, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. View the official results here.

The City of Statesboro held municipal elections on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, for the offices of Mayor and City Council Districts 1 and 4. All three incumbents on the ballot were re-elected to their seats. Bulloch County voters also approved two sales-tax measures. Below are the confirmed vote tallies for each contest and referendum:

Mayor:
Incumbent Jonathan McCollar has been re-elected to a third term, receiving 1,851 votes (69.64 %), while challenger Raymond Harris received 807 votes (30.36 %).

City Council District 1:
Incumbent Councilmember Tangie Reese Johnson has been elected to a full four-year term, receiving 635 votes (71.51 %), while John Grotheer received 253 votes (28.49 %). Councilmember Johnson was previously elected in a 2024 special election to complete the remainder of an unexpired term.

City Council District 4:
Incumbent John Conner Riggs ran unopposed and received 228 votes.

Voter Turnout and Referendums:
Across Bulloch County, 9,250 ballots were cast, representing approximately 17.2% of the county’s 53,740 registered voters. Countywide, voters approved two sales-tax measures:

The Floating Local Option Sales Tax (FLOST) passed with 6,599 “Yes” votes (71.67 %) and 2,608 “No” votes (28.33 %). This new 1% sales tax will begin in January and fund property tax rollbacks across Bulloch County municipalities.

The Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (E-SPLOST 6) passed with 6,158 “Yes” votes (66.57 %) and 3,092 “No” votes (33.43 %). The measure will continue funding for educational facilities and infrastructure from October 2028 through September 2033.

The new terms for Mayor McCollar and Councilmembers Johnson and Riggs will begin in January 2026.

This past Saturday, the Statesboro Fire Department hosted the pinning ceremony for Recruit Class 25-01, marking the culmination of eight weeks of hard work, growth, and dedication. The recruits demonstrated outstanding determination and discipline as they prepared to join the department and serve the Statesboro community.

Throughout the training program, the recruits worked toward earning their Firefighter I certification, as well as Hazmat Operations and Awareness credentials. Guided by an experienced and dedicated training staff, they developed the essential skills every firefighter needs. Training took place in the department’s new state-of-the-art facility, where they also utilized the recently acquired tower truck for hands-on practice. Their accomplishments include mastering forcible entry, tactical ventilation, fire dynamics, suppression techniques, and more.

The department extends sincere gratitude to its training staff for their commitment—many of whom volunteered their own time, even on days off—to ensure the recruits were fully prepared. Appreciation is also extended to the families and friends of the new firefighters for their patience, encouragement, and support throughout this demanding process.

Please join the Statesboro Fire Department in congratulating Recruit Class 25-01—the newest generation of firefighters committed to protecting our community.

The City of Statesboro has officially completed the Anderson Street Paving Project, marking a historic milestone in the city’s infrastructure development. With this project now finished, every road within the city limits of Statesboro is paved for the first time in its history.

Located between East Main Street and Hill Street, the 385-foot connector was transformed into a 20-foot-wide paved roadway built to meet both City of Statesboro and Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) standards. As part of the improvements, new driveways were also constructed to provide safe and convenient access for nearby residents.

The project was funded through the Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST) and reflects the city’s continued investment in improving accessibility and roadway quality for the community. The newly paved Anderson Street enhances daily travel, promotes long-term durability, and provides a smoother, safer connection between two key city streets.

Completion of the Anderson Street Paving Project represents the combined efforts of the City’s Engineering and Public Works Departments, in partnership with local contractors and community stakeholders.

City Completes FY2024 Street Resurfacing Project

The City of Statesboro has successfully completed its Fiscal Year 2024 Street Resurfacing Project, marking another milestone in the city’s ongoing commitment to improving local infrastructure and roadway safety.

The FY 2024 resurfacing program covered approximately 5.66 miles of roadway across all five council districts. This year’s resurfacing program covered approximately 5.66 miles of roadway across all five council districts. The work utilized a total of 6,311 tons of asphalt, including various asphalt types and mixes designed to ensure long-term durability. Crews also completed 20,665 square yards of asphalt milling, 2,375 square yards of 6-inch graded aggregate base (GAB), permanent grassing, shoulder dressing, and installed thermoplastic striping to enhance roadway visibility and safety.

Neighborhoods and Streets Resurfaced

Resurfacing work was completed in neighborhoods throughout all five council districts:

District 1: Orange Street (E. Olliff St. to E. Olliff St.), Lewis Street (E. Olliff St. to Orange St.), Best Street (Braswell St. to terminus), Bedford Street (Fleming Dr. to Kingswood Ave.), Harwood Street (Fleming Dr. to Kingswood Ave.), and Miller Street (N. Main St. to N. College St.)

District 2: Miller Street (N. College St. to W. Parrish St.), South Mulberry Street (E. Jones Ave. to E. Main St.), South Walnut Street (W. Jones Ave. to W. Inman St.), Scotch Pine Avenue (Whispering Pines Blvd. to Whispering Pines Blvd.), and Hunnicutt Drive (Soloman Cir. to Soloman Cir.)

District 3: Granade Street (E. Inman St. to terminus), Donaldson Street (Stillwell St. to Savannah Ave.), and Gentilly Drive (Gentilly Rd. to Prince Way)

District 4: Windsor Way (Chelsea Cir. to S. Edgewood Dr.), Knight Drive (Chandler Rd. to Harvey Dr.), and South Edgewood Drive (Greenwood Ave. to Holly Dr.)

District 5: Brampton Avenue (Fair Rd. to Veterans Memorial Pkwy.)

Investing in Safer, Smoother Streets

In total, 17 city streets were resurfaced during FY2024, representing a significant investment in neighborhood infrastructure and the long-term maintenance of the city’s roadway network. These improvements not only extend the lifespan of city streets but also enhance safety and driving conditions for residents, businesses, and visitors.

The City of Statesboro’s annual resurfacing program will continue in FY2025, with additional investments planned for both neighborhood streets and major corridors throughout the city.

Statesboro Community Garden Blossoms with Growth and Connection this Season

The Statesboro Community Garden continues to flourish as a vibrant hub for connection, learning, and growing fresh food in the heart of the City. Thanks to the dedication of local residents and support from Keep Statesboro-Bulloch Beautiful (KSBB), this year’s planting season has been one of progress and collaboration.

This season, all raised garden beds are fully rented, reflecting the growing interest in local gardening and food sustainability. Alongside seasoned gardeners, several new faces have joined the garden community, practicing their skills and cultivating crops in the in-ground plots available on site. The mix of experienced growers and beginners fosters an environment of knowledge sharing, mentorship, and mutual support.

In an exciting step toward sustainability, the garden’s compost bins have been revitalized for all renters to use. This means gardeners can now compost their food scraps and garden waste on-site, helping to reduce landfill waste while creating nutrient-rich soil to nourish future crops. The initiative not only supports healthier harvests but also teaches the value of closing the loop in food systems.

Statesboro named “Retail Ready” community by Georgia Power

Statesboro has been selected as the first of six “Retail Ready” communities by Georgia Power Economic Development. This partnership marks a significant milestone for the city, as it collaborates with Georgia Power to enhance retail recruitment efforts. The initiative will provide Statesboro with valuable insights, data, and tools to support sustainable retail growth.

“The Regional Economic Development Managers work closely with local and regional development partners to prepare communities for today’s projects and opportunities in the future,” shared Elyse Davis, Statewide Development Manager. “We’re excited that Statesboro is the first community we can provide enhanced retail strategy support to through our new partnership with Retail Strategies.”

Georgia Power partnered with consultants from Retail Strategies, an Alabama-based retail recruitment and community development firm, to provide Statesboro with data insights and recommendations for attracting national retailers. The firm conducted a comprehensive analysis of Statesboro’s retail landscape, identifying properties and sites suited for new consumer-facing businesses. Retail Strategies also provided a recommendation list of potential retail brands and key contacts for outreach.

The City of Statesboro will use the recommendations and strategies provided through this partnership to help expand consumer options in the community. In January 2023, the city contracted a small business recruitment service through Georgia Southern University’s Business Innovation Group. Through this collaboration, Statesboro gained a dedicated business recruiter, Alan Gross, who has been actively attending trade shows and working to attract retailers to the area.

“Partnering with Georgia Power enables us to amplify our existing recruitment strategies,” explained Alan Gross. “Partnering on the ‘Retail Ready’ initiative enhances our visibility, providing another powerful tool to attract retailers. I’m confident this collaboration will soon bring more retail and dining options to our community.”