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Mayor Johnson directs staff to advertise Savannah's 2020 millage at budgeted rate as council remains split
Summary
On July 9, 2020 Mayor Van R. Johnson II directed staff to advertise Savannah's 2020 millage at the budgeted rate of 12.856, a move the city manager said is a tax increase; council members were split between keeping the budgeted rate and adopting the 12.739 rollback rate.
Mayor Van R. Johnson II directed City staff on July 9, 2020 to advertise the city's 2020 millage rate at the budgeted level of 12.856 after a work session discussion in which council members were split over whether to adopt the rollback rate of 12.739.
The vote-to-advertise decision starts the formal public-notice process required before a final millage decision. City Manager Pat Monahan and Chief Finance Officer David Maxwell briefed the council on the mechanics and impact of the current millage and the rollback rate; Revenue Director Ashley Simpson and Chief Budget Officer Melissa Carter were also present for questions.
During a recorded poll of preferences, Alderwoman Linda Wilder-Bryan and Alderman Nick Palumbo indicated they favored keeping the current budgeted rate of 12.856; Alderwoman Kesha Gibson-Carter, Mayor Pro-Tem Dr. Estella Edwards Shabazz, Alderwoman Alicia Miller Blakely and Alderwoman Bernetta B. Lanier said they supported adopting the rollback rate of 12.739; Alderman Kurtis Purtee stated support for the 12.856 budgeted rate. After hearing those preferences, Mayor Johnson directed staff to advertise the 2020 millage at 12.856, noting in the meeting record that advertising at that rate is a tax increase and that the council could later decide to lower the rate to the rollback figure.
City staff requested a council consensus to proceed with advertisement; the record shows differing stated preferences but no formal roll-call vote on the final advertising directive. The mayor's direction moves the administrative step of public notice forward; any later decision to lower the rate would require council action.
The millage discussion occupied a substantive portion of the work session. City officials did not present a final adopted rate during the session; staff were asked to proceed with the advertisement and to return to council if members choose to set a lower rate at a later meeting.
The council work session began at about 11:04 a.m. and was adjourned at 1:13 p.m.
