Commissioners demand forensic audit of Chatham Area Transit, debate millage and service cuts

Commissioners spent a substantial portion of the meeting debating whether the Chatham Area Transit millage should be reduced to reflect recent service cuts and whether the authority was using its reserves appropriately.

One commissioner told the board CAT "has $35,000,000 in their reserves" and urged that the authority should use available funds to restore routes rather than rely on increased tax revenue. That commissioner moved and the board seconded a resolution directing county staff to hire an outside forensic audit firm to examine CAT's finances, confirm funding sources for the free downtown shuttle and ferry service, and identify whether service restorations can be funded this year. "We want a forensic audit and we want it outside," the motion said; the resolution also stated the board's intent to consider a substantial reduction to CAT's operating budget next year if the authority does not comply.

Commissioners clarified that the DOT shuttle is funded by the City of Savannah and emphasized the forensic audit should verify whether city and other partners are covering agreed costs. The board moved, seconded and advanced the resolution; the transcript does not include a roll-call tally but the meeting proceeded to the next agenda items after the vote.