During the Chatham County Commission meeting on June 27, 2025, a significant discussion centered around the county's budget and the potential for avoiding a tax increase. Commissioners expressed a strong desire to reallocate funds within the budget to support essential services without imposing additional financial burdens on residents.

One commissioner highlighted the growth in the county's tax digest over the past three years, amounting to approximately $55 million. This growth, they argued, provides sufficient room in the budget to absorb the public works budget from the Special Service District (SSD) without necessitating a millage increase. The commissioner urged their colleagues to vote against the current budget proposal and instead instruct staff to explore legal avenues for rebalancing the budget to prevent a tax hike.

Another commissioner echoed this sentiment, questioning the necessity of adopting the budget by a specific deadline. They suggested the possibility of implementing a continuing resolution to allow for further discussions and adjustments to the budget, emphasizing the importance of finding alternative solutions to avoid raising taxes.

The conversation underscored a collective commitment among commissioners to prioritize fiscal responsibility while ensuring that vital services, such as the Chatham County Fire Department, receive adequate funding. The meeting concluded with a motion to adopt the fiscal year 2026 budget resolution, which included various funds, but the discussions indicated a clear intent to revisit budget allocations in the near future.

As the commission moves forward, residents can expect continued efforts to balance the county's financial needs with the goal of maintaining affordable services. The outcome of these discussions will play a crucial role in shaping the community's fiscal landscape in the coming year.