Effingham County commissioners lowered the millage rate from 5.596 to 4.976 Tuesday night, a decision that will reduce the tax burden for homeowners while moving closer to fulfilling Project Zero, an initiative to eliminate county property taxes. The vote was approved 4to1.
Commissioner Beth Helmly said she was in favor of reducing the millage rate but that she would like to postpone the vote because she wanted more information and voted no against approving it.
“I don't want to make that decision tonight,” she said.
Commissioner Roger Burdette argued the need to approve it, saying the matter is time sensitive.
“With the time limitations that we have and an opportunity to lower the taxes, I don’t want to miss the vote on this," said Burdette.
Effingham
County property owners will now see up to six mills of tax relief under a proposal that combines a county millage rate reduction with the suspension of the Effingham County Industrial Authority's 2-mill property tax levy, as well as a two mill reduction from the Effingham County School District.
A press release from ECIDA says it will also provide the board of commissioners with $30 million for three years annually for additional property tax relief. Homeowners can also take advantage of a $500 tax credit for qualifying homestead properties, which was approved by the Georgia General Assembly.
According to a press release by the school district, the operational budget rose from $203 million in 2026 to $211 for 2027 but residents will not see an increase in school taxes because the county's digest has grown significantly.
"We will continue to invest in quality instruction by investing in our teachers and staff and providing the needed resources for our students while remaining responsible stewards to our taxpayers," said Superintendent Dr. Yancy Ford in the release.
In addition, during the Tuesday meeting, commissioners voted to postpone a request to rezone 45 acres from agriculture to residential until December.
Latrice Williams is a general assignment reporter covering Bryan and Effingham County. She can be reached at lwilliams6@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Effingham County moves closer to zero property tax
