Leaders of coastal Georgia's largest county will tax residents in unincorporated areas to provide fire service. Chatham County commissioners voted Friday to cover $11.5 million in costs of Chatham Fire, a private group, out of county reserves. The county will then impose a fee on property tax bills for residents in unincorporated areas. Commissioners voted for the fee instead of a plan that would have allowed court action and fines to enforce payment of what have been voluntary subscriptions. Georgia counties aren't required to provide fire protection. Chatham Fire serves more than 35,000 properties in unincorporated Chatham County.