Government and local officials from Effingham County are preparing to make the annual trip to Jekyll Island to attend the 2007 Effingham Chamber of Commerce community retreat.

The two major areas of focus this year, according to Stan Sparks, chairman of the chamber’s governmental affairs committee, are the proposed changes to how the state collects taxes and the effects that will have on Effingham County.

“There’s some fairly major changes going on in that regard,” he said.

The state is considering moving away from property taxes and instead focus on consumption based taxes such as the sales tax.

Allan Essig of the Georgia Public Policy Institute will discuss the effects on the county if the legislation is passed.

In addition, the retreat will experience a few changes this year.

Along with the usual community reports from the county, municipalities and boards, Savannah Technical College will present its report. The institution is opening its new Effingham County campus soon.

And with the county’s new comprehensive plan under way, county planner George Shaw will update the group on the project.

According to Linda McDaniel, there were 80 registered participants as of Friday.

New Rincon city planner LaMeisha Hunter will be attending for the first time and her enthusiasm is evident.

“I am definitely excited about going,” she said.

Hunter is really attracted to the idea of being able to sit down with other officials and discuss plans for the future.

In Rincon’s community report she explained there will be many new developments highlighted including the city’s short-term water permit from the Environmental Protection Division, the surface water agreement with the county and the new purple pipe policy.

The retreat will begin on Thursday morning at 10 and end Friday at noon.

Community retreat agenda
Thursday
• 2006-07 Chamber review — Janis Bevill
• 2007-08 Chamber focus — Ken Stoner
• Community reports — Effingham County, Guyton, Rincon, Springfield, Board of Education, Effingham Hospital, Savannah Technical College, Effingham County Library System
• 2007-08 Chamber legislative priorities — Freddy Long
• State tax system redesign — Allan Essig
• Legislators update — Sen. Jack Hill, Reps. Jon Burns, Buddy Carter

Friday
• Potential impacts of tax initiatives — Nick Pearson
• Effingham County comprehensive plan — George Shaw
• Water/sewer issues — Dr. Michael Moore and/or Brent Howell