NOTICE OF PROPERTY TAX INCREASE (Dates for Budget and Millage Hearings at the Bottom)
The Chatham County Board of Commissioners has tentatively adopted a millage rate which will require an increase in property taxes by 7.18 percent in General Maintenance and Operations taxes, an increase in property taxes by 5.73 percent in Special Service District taxes and an increase in property taxes by 7.54 percent in Chatham Area Transit Authority taxes. All concerned citizens are invited to the two public hearings on this tax increase to be held at the Commission Meeting Room on the second floor of the Old Courthouse, 124 Bull Street, Savannah, Georgia, on June 13, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. A third public hearing on this tax increase will be held at the Commission Meeting Room on the second floor of the Old Courthouse, 124 Bull Street, Savannah, Georgia, on June 28, 2024 at 9:30 a.m.
This tentative increase will result in a General Maintenance and Operations millage rate of 10.518 mills, an increase of 0.705 mills. Without this tentative tax increase, the millage rate will be no more than 9.813 mills. The proposed tax increase for a home with a fair market value of $225,000 is approximately $52.88 and the proposed tax increase for non-homestead property with a fair market value of $500,000 is approximately $141.00.
This tentative increase will result in a Special Service District millage rate of 4.502 mills, an increase of 0.244 mills. Without this tentative tax increase, the millage rate will be no more than 4.258 mills. The proposed tax increase for a home with a fair market value of $275,000 is approximately $24.40 and the proposed tax increase for non-homestead property with a fair market value of $500,000 is approximately $48.80. This tentative increase will result in a Chatham Area Transit Authority millage rate of 1.056 mills, an increase of 0.074 mills. Without this tentative tax increase, the millage rate will be no more than 0.982 mills. The proposed tax increase for a home with a fair market value of $225,000 is approximately $5.55 and the proposed tax increase for non-homestead property with a fair market value of $500,000 is approximately $14.80.
EXPLANATION OF NOTICE OF PROPERTY TAX INCREASE
The “Notice of Property Tax Increase” must be written as presented to meet the requirements of Georgia law; however, it should be clarified that the Chatham County Board of Commissioners has not tentatively adopted a millage rate. Use of the phrase “tentatively adopted” applies only to the legal notice, since the Chatham County Board of Commissioners has not taken any action either “tentative” or otherwise on adopting a millage (tax) rate.
The “Notice of Property Tax Increase” puts taxpayers on alert that the proposed increase cannot exceed this amount. No action will be taken until after the public hearings at the Old Courthouse, 124 Bull Street, Savannah, Georgia, on June 13, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. and June 28, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. If it is determined that these hearings are not required by state law, the Chatham County Board of Commissioners may decide to cancel the unnecessary hearings and take action at their regularly scheduled meeting on June 28, 2024 at 9:30 a.m.
EXPLANATION OF FIVE YEAR HISTORY OF LEVY
The “Five Year History of Levy” must be shown as presented to meet the requirements of Georgia law; however, it should be clarified that the Chatham County Board of Commissioners has not yet tentatively adopted a millage rate that would require an increase in property taxes.
The millage rate will be set at a meeting to be held at the Old Chatham County Courthouse, 2nd floor, Commission Meeting Room, 124 Bull Street on June 28, 2024 at 9:30 a.m.
Explanation of Hearing Ad to Raise Millage Rate
Explanation of 5 Year History Rate
Upcoming Budget Dates:
June 13, 2024 9:30 a.m. – First Public Hearing on Millage Levy
June 13, 2024 10:00 a.m. – Board Budget Workshop
June 13, 2024 6:00 p.m. –Second Public Hearing on Millage Levy
June 14, 2024 9:30 a.m. – Public Hearing on FY2025 Proposed Budget
June 28, 2024 9:30 a.m. – Third Public Hearing on Millage Levy & Budget and Millage Levy Adoption