Editor's Note: The story has been updated to include the time, date and place of the millage rate hearings.
For the first time in a decade, the City of Pooler is proposing a millage rate increase for property owners. As the second-fastest growing city in Chatham County and ninth in the state, the increase is needed in Pooler, said the city Financial Officer Chris Lightle.
"We need more public safety officers, we need more first responders," said Lightle. "With growth comes an increase in cost and that's essentially what this millage rate is about."
The current millage rate stands at 3.651. The rollback millage, based on changes to the city's tax digest over the last year, would be 3.597.
The proposed new millage rate is 4.597, a 1 mill increase.
The city will hold public hearings at Pooler City Hall located at 100 US Highway 80, SW on July 15 at 3 p.m., July 16 at 9 a.m., July 19 at 6 p.m. and July 26 at 12 p.m.. The millage rate will be set during a special called meeting at the last hearing by a vote from the mayor and council. If passed, the new rate would apply to properties assessed Jan. 1 of this year, and will be reflected on this October's tax bills.
Pooler's fiscal year operates on the Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 calendar year and the 2021 budget, which was created last October, predicted a millage rate increase would be needed. However, Lightle says the city doesn't receive the necessary information from the county tax assessor until late May to set the millage rate.
In order to balance the 2021 budget, which saw increased infrastructure projects, public safety expansion and added city personnel, the city is increasing the millage by 27.8% on the rollback value, or about 1 mill, which equates to $100 per $100,000 of assessed value.
A home assessed at $250,000 would see a $250 tax increase. The assessed value of the property is not the same as the fair market value of the residence.
Pooler's population has increased by 51% since 2010 and continues to grow at an annual rate of about 6%. Due to increased building and development over the years, Lightle says the city was able to rely on the growing tax base before, but things are starting to change.
"You've got increases in other taxes, so the city's sort of been relying on that to be able to roll back the millage rate," said Lightle.
From 2010 to 2012, the millage rate stayed at 4.635 after being increased from 4.5. Then, steadily year after year, the number dropped to its current level, which is one of the lowest in Chatham County.
"The city has grown tremendously over the years and it's amazing what we've been able to do with the millage rate," said council member Stevie Wall. "You get more bang for your buck in Pooler."
Pooler's proposed increase goes against property tax trends seen elsewhere in the county. Chatham County has proposed no change to their millage and the Savannah-Chatham County School District recently approved a reduction. In late 2020, the City of Savannah approved a reduction, as well.
Ian Campbell, who owns two rental properties in Pooler, recognizes the progress the city is making but also wishes taxpayer money would go toward other services like transit. Pooler does not participate in the Chatham Area Transit, better known as CAT, network.
"It's not very friendly for bikes or bus services and not a really walkable town," said Campbell, but he admits it is more affordable than Savannah.
The additional tax dollars will fund upcoming and ongoing projects in Pooler that will address some of the city's congestion problems and public safety and infrastructure needs.
"The other thing that people aren't aware of is, each year during the budget process, in order to balance the budget, there are some essential services, like police officers or the need to replace police cars, that are cut just to keep from raising the millage rate," said Lightle.
This year is different. Lightle says they are adding five police officers to payroll and 14 firemen for a new fire station that is supposed to come online by the end of this year.
A new canal maintenance department was created, as well, with a proposed budget of $407,225.
The 2021 budget also shows the addition of new police vehicles and other city personnel.
Several different road projects are also in the works for Pooler, including widening of Quacco Road, a six-year project; Park Avenue and Pooler Parkway improvements, as well as S. H. Morgan Parkway improvements.
"The growth is expected to continue here maybe for the next five years or so," said Lightle, "but as far as predicting whether or not there will be future tax increases, that's hard to say."
Nancy Guan is the general assignment reporter covering Chatham County municipalities. Reach her at nguan@gannett.com or on Twitter @nancyguann.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: UPDATE: City of Pooler proposes first millage increase in 10 years to accommodate growth
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