Local officials have approved an intergovernmental agreement to add Dawson County Sheriff’s Office patrol deputies to the city of Dawsonville. 

At meetings held on Thursday, June 3, and Monday, June 7, the Dawsonville City Council and Dawson County Board of Commissioners gave unanimous approval to the proposed IGA which will provide funding and equipment for two additional deputy positions to help provide patrol coverage in the city. 

Dawson County will provide the sheriff’s office with two patrol vehicles for the program and will provide approximately $15,500 in funding to equip the deputies with uniforms, vests, body cameras and firearms, according to the IGA. 

The city of Dawsonville will be responsible for funding the salaries and benefits of the two deputies, which will amount to about $13,000 per month. 

According to Dawsonville Mayor Mike Eason, the extra deputy positions would supplement pre-existing patrol coverage provided by the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office. 

“We currently are served by two zones that split the city east and west, and those officers have responsibilities throughout the county in their zone and backing up others,” Eason previously said. “So conceivably we could have two officers here at any time or conceivably we could not have any.” 

Eason said that especially in the spring and summer, the number of events the city hosts would be made safer by the presence of the two extra deputies. 

The new deputies will not affect or replace any existing coverage provided to the city by the sheriff’s office.

Speaking to the board of commissioners, Joey Homens, attorney for the Dawson County Sheriff's Office said that traffic citations made by the deputies will go to the county probate or superior court, while city ordinance citations will go to the municipal court. 

The IGA will last until June 30, 2031, or unless otherwise terminated by any of the parties.