Chatham County adopts 0.94 mill CAT tax after debate over service equity and ferry funding

Chatham County commissioners voted to adopt a 0.94 mill tax rate for the Chatham Area Transit Authority for tax year 2025 during a special-call meeting, approving the county submission forms required by the Georgia Department of Revenue.

The vote followed more than two hours of discussion about areas of the county that pay the transit millage but have had services reduced or cut, the structure of CAT's district and enabling legislation, and a multi-year shortfall in ferry operating subsidies historically expected from tourism stakeholders. Supporters of the 0.94 millage framed it as a compromise to avoid an estimated multimillion-dollar shortfall while seeking commitments from other funders to “true up” ferry and service costs.

Chairman Chester A. Ellis read the board request and resolution language, asking the commission to “adopt the tax year 2025 millage rate resolution for the Chatham Area Transit Authority pursuant to OCGA 48-5-32.1 and board approval of submittal of the tax year 2025 property tax digest” and identified the required state forms PT-35 and PT-32-1.

Commissioners pressed staff and…