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County OKs deal with prison
Patrick Donahue
Editor
Updated: Jun 24, 2008, 9:00 AM
Published: Jun 2, 2008, 9:19 PM
Effingham County commissioners approved an agreement to continue to house inmates at the Effingham County Prison. Commissioners, who begin their first meeting of the month Tuesday morning at 8:30, signed off on the deal at their May 20 meeting. The county will receive $20 an inmate for 250 inmates at the medium security prison.
Administrative assistant Adam Kobek said prison warden Ronald Spears and the state wardens’ council, along with the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia, were to meet to discuss getting the $20 per inmate fee raised.
The Effingham County Prison has space for 250 state prisoners and six county inmates. Commissioners had debated whether to close the prison but stepped back from that idea after Spears’ presentation to them in February.
As many as 160 inmates are sent to work details outside the prison every day, ranging from cleaning ditches along county roads to landscaping at county properties. Prison staff also prepares 23,000 meals each year for senior citizens and another 3,500 for the Feed a Kid program.
The savings to the county, in wages and benefits, from using inmate labor was $3.3 million, according to Spears’ February numbers.
Commissioners also approved the contract for maintenance and software with Gasboy for the county’s backyard fuel system.
“The good thing about it is it’s 24 hours,” county clerk Patrice Morris said, “and the only service station in Effingham County that’s open 24 hours is Parker’s in Guyton. If ambulances need to get fuel or a fire truck needs to get fuel, they can.”
Commissioners are expected to hold public hearings Tuesday, at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., on the fiscal year 2009 budget and millage rate.
Comparison of the property tax impact for Effingham County homeowners under the approved millage rate increase, showing the difference from fiscal year 2025 to 2026.
Updated: Sep 19, 2025, 12:52 AM
Published: Sep 19, 2025, 12:53 AM
SPRINGFIELD, Ga. — The Effingham County Board of Education unanimously approved raising the property tax rate from 16.5 to 18.45 mills. For a homeowner with a $350,000 property, that’s about $22 more per month. The vote was 5-0.
Why the Increase is Needed
District officials said the adjustment is necessary to cover rising costs and remain competitive in attracting and retaining teachers and staff. More than 87% of the district’s budget goes to salaries and benefits for employees ranging from classroom teachers to bus drivers, nurses, counselors, paraprofessionals, and administrators.
Most of the increase is tied to an $8 million spike in required contributions to state benefit plans.
The state’s health and retirement benefits for certified employees — teachers — are going up 7% in 2026, finance director Lauren Cain, said. Benefits for non-certified employees — staff — are rising 36%. That’s a total of $8 million more in health and retirement benefits the district will have to cover.
Although the state is increasing funding to Effingham schools by $4 million, it will cover only about half the benefits hike, she said.
As of July 1, premiums for the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) have nearly doubled since FY2023, jumping from $945 to $1,885 per month per employee. In addition, the district’s contribution rate to the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) has increased from 20.78% to 21.91%.
To help offset those rising costs, the district voted to raise the millage rate.
Balancing Costs & Education
Superintendent Yancy Ford previously called the increase “an investment in every child’s future.” He said, “Smaller class sizes, highly qualified teachers, and strong support staff are all proven to raise student achievement. This millage rate increase allows us to continue building on our successes and to make sure every child in Effingham County has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential.”
Ford also acknowledged the strain on taxpayers. “We don’t want to put the taxpayers in this position next year,” he said. He promised to “dissect the budget” and search for ways to “lower costs” while still doing what’s best for students. “We know people are feeling it,” he added.
Fiscal Accountability & Academic Record
While the millage rate itself rises about 11.5%, higher property values mean overall revenue collections will increase nearly 26%. School leaders say the additional funds will help preserve Effingham’s strong academic record, which includes a 90.7% graduation rate, above-average reading scores in elementary grades, and SAT results that top both state and national averages.
Ford emphasized accountability in managing taxpayer funds. Every dollar from this millage rate increase is an investment directly tied to student learning, he said.
Effingham Schools recently earned a 4.5 Financial Efficiency Star Rating from the Georgia Department of Education, ranking fourth out of 180 school systems statewide.
Public Concerns
About 20 residents attended the final public hearing before the vote. Several property owners, retirees on fixed incomes, and business owners voiced frustration over rising appraisals, cost of living increases, and tax abatements for industry.
Looking Ahead: ESPLOST Vote
Looking ahead, the district is preparing to ask voters in November to approve another ESPLOST (Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax). If passed, funds would go toward capital projects such as facility upgrades and technology improvements.
