LIVE OAK, Fla. — During a town hall meeting Saturday, county commissioner Clyde Fleming said he supported total county and city consolidation.

“I think a lot of money could be saved and a lot of good would come from of it,” Fleming told an audience at the John H. Hale Park and Community Center on 215 Duval St.

Fleming organized the meeting so that concerned Suwannee County citizens could ask their questions to him and other county officials.

The sheriff, public safety director, economic development director and parks and recreation director were all at the meeting ready to answer anyone’s questions. The first, and most, questions were directed at James Sommers, the public safety director for the county, about merging the county and city fire departments.

Merging fire departments has been an ongoing debate between the city and county for some time. Sommers told the more than 20 attendees that the merger would provide Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to the north side of town.

The Live Oak Fire Department is unable to provide EMS in the city without a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, which the county controls for the city. The city and fire department have both expressed their desire to provide EMS, but are unable to without the county’s willingness.

Sommers said the county already provides EMS within the city and wants to prevent a duplication of services.

“If you already have one entity covering those services, there’s no need for another to also provide you with that service,” Sommers said.

He emphasized that starting a new service is difficult and expensive. It would cost the city more money to begin providing another service then it would for the county to just move to the other side of the railroad tracks, where the current fire department is located.

The merger wasn’t the only thing discussed. Alvin Jackson, the county economic development director, answered many questions about improving the county and city.

He discussed expanding the Community Redevelopment Agency, bringing in new investments and taking care of old, dilapidated buildings. Jackson was also asked where he stood on city and county consolidation. He said he would be in favor of it.

Jackson strongly emphasized improving education within Suwannee County and Live Oak, stating that the biggest draw for new investors is an educated work force capable of performing new, complicated tasks.

“When businesses are looking into which town to come into, the number one factor is education in the workforce,” Jackson said.

Greg Scott, parks and recreation director, brought the crowd up to speed on new improvements coming to Suwannee County parks. He said the parks department recently received multiple grants, which will go toward several improvements.

Scott praised the town hall meeting and those who attended. He encouraged everyone to have an open dialogue with their elected officials.

Scott also said that he is an example of how city and county consolidation can be successful. He manages parks within both the city and county.

Lastly, Suwannee County Sheriff Sam St. John spoke to the crowd about his plans as new sheriff. He emphasized more traffic safety and boosting the police presence in hot spot areas around the city and county.

St. John also reiterated his stance on body cameras being an affective measure to improve transparency in the department and confidence in the public.

Commissioner Fleming ended the meeting by thanking everyone for attending. He said this was the first of multiple town hall meetings he was planning. The next meeting will be March 25.