News Summary

The Savannah-Chatham County Public School System is holding public hearings regarding a proposed millage rate of 17.481 mills. Residents express concerns over potential property tax increases, particularly impacting retirees. While a millage rate increase may be discussed, the designated budget manager reassured that there will be no raise from last year’s budget unless property values increase. Community input during the hearings is encouraged as the board prepares to finalize the millage rate.

Savannah

The Savannah-Chatham County Public School System is holding public hearings regarding a proposed millage rate of 17.481 mills, a potential property tax increase that has raised concerns among local residents.

Only two community members spoke during the first hearing, highlighting personal financial impacts of rising property taxes. One of the speakers was John Wills, an 83-year-old retired poultry nutritionist, who emphasized the strain increased taxes can place on retirees. Wills, who moved to Savannah two years ago from Abu Dhabi, bought a home valued at $265,000 and reported a significant 21% increase in his property taxes due to rising property valuations. He indicated that escalating taxes might compel him to reduce food expenditures, despite his strong support for education initiatives in the community.

In response to the concerns raised, Sheila Blanco, the public information manager for the Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools, clarified that there will be no increase in the millage rate from the previous year’s budget. The only circumstance under which a resident may see higher property taxes is if their property value increased in the latest assessment.

A millage rate is a critical component of local property taxes, determining the amount owed per $1,000 of assessed property value. Homeowners in Savannah are subject to three primary millage rates: Chatham County, City of Savannah, and SCCPSS. Inflation and new developments could lead to an increase of nearly 4% in property taxes for some homeowners, according to SCCPSS estimates.

State law mandates that three public hearings be conducted if property taxes are expected to increase. The second public hearing is scheduled for June 25 at 6 p.m. at the Whitney Administrative Complex. While the proposed millage rate reflects a marginal increase of 0.655 mills relative to the previous year, the actual rate would remain unchanged at 16.826 mills if no new adjustments were made.

For homeowners, the proposed changes could mean an average tax increase of approximately $65, based on the fair market values of their properties. This is significant as assessments by the county’s Board of Assessors have indicated a year-to-year tax digest increase of 7.05%, a factor that feeds into the public school’s budget considerations.

Additional community input during the public hearings includes the appreciation expressed by another Chatham County resident who commended the school board for maintaining the millage rate unchanged. The board plans to finalize decisions regarding the millage rate adoption at a special meeting on June 25 at 6:30 p.m., which will take place after the last public hearing.

As part of its financial planning, the Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools are projecting a nearly $660 million budget for the 2025-2026 school year, representing an increase of approximately $29.7 million from the previous year. This budget will help cover critical costs such as salary increases for staff and funding for various educational programs. However, uncertainties around the federal budget may complicate funding for federally supported education programs, potentially influencing overall budget dynamics.

Community members wishing to voice their opinions at the millage rate hearings are encouraged to submit their requests via the school district’s official website. This engagement provides an opportunity for residents to participate actively in discussions about local taxation and funding for education.

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Additional Resources

• Savannah Now: School Board Hosts Hearings for Millage Rate
• Wikipedia: Millage Rate
• WTOC: SCCPSS Holds Public Hearing on Millage Rate
• Google Search: Savannah Chatham County Millage Rate
• Savannah Now: Millage Rate Hearings This Tuesday
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Property Tax
• WJCL: Chatham County ESPLOST Vote 2025
• Google News: Savannah Chatham County Public Schools

Author: STAFF HERE SAVANNAH WRITER

SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER The SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESavannah.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Savannah, Chatham County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Savannah Music Festival, St. Patrick's Day Parade, and Savannah Jazz Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Coastal Empire, plus leading businesses in aerospace, education, and logistics that power the local economy such as Gulfstream Aerospace, Savannah College of Art and Design, and Colonial Group. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HEREAugusta.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.