Chatham County residents in unincorporated areas will see changes in their tax structure following the recent Chatham County Commission meeting on June 27, 2025. The commission clarified that while the special service district (SSD) millage rate will increase by 2 mills, resulting in a 48.99% rise, this adjustment will not affect municipal residents in Savannah, Tybee, and surrounding areas.

The general fund millage rate remains steady at 10.518 mills, while the SSD rate will rise from 4.502 to 6.502 mills. This brings the total millage rate for unincorporated areas to 17.02 mills, with the overall tax increase calculated at 13.32%. Officials emphasized that the increase is specific to the SSD and does not translate to a direct tax hike for all residents.

Additionally, the commission announced the elimination of the fire fee, which has been replaced by a fire tax now managed under the county's department. This change is expected to benefit approximately 82% of homeowners in the unincorporated areas, who will pay less under the new tax structure compared to the previous fire fee system. Residents who have paid a fire fee since July of last year are encouraged to bring their bills to the county for resolution.

The meeting concluded without further comments from the commissioners, but the changes discussed are poised to impact the financial landscape for many residents in Chatham County.