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Effingham residents mark annual National Day of Prayer
Bart Alderman at 2025 National Day of Prayer
Springfield Mayor Barton Alderman reads a proclamation on National Day of Prayer during the May 1 event at the Springfield Veterans’ Park. (Jeff Whitten/Effingham Herald.)
Published: May 6, 2025, 6:11 PM

By Jeff Whitten

Special to the Herald

SPRINGFIELD – Gerry Rowland and her husband Doug were among the 35 or so people gathered May 1 at Springfield Veterans’ Park for the National Day of Prayer Service, and she called what took place there an inspiration. 

“I was blessed and encouraged by the program,” Rowland said, afterward. “I just wish more people could have been there. Clergy from four different churches across the north end of Effingham County coming together to pray for our nation and for each other as Christians with hope and responsibility was an inspiration to me.”

The service was organized by Morgan Phillips and her family, who decided in 2021 to create a local version of the National Day of Prayer, which has been observed annually since an act of Congress in 1952. 

“Since Effingham County did not have someone organizing a service each year, God laid it on our hearts to do it,” Phillips said. ‘We love encouraging our community to come together to focus on God’s Word and pray for our country.”

With the 2025 theme, “Pour out to the God of Hope and be filled,” inspired by Romans 15:13, the service began with a welcome from Isaac Phillips, and the reading of Psalm 119:89-105 by Pastor Jay Williams of Mizpah Church, who also offered the opening prayer.

Doug and Gerry Rowland holding hands in prayer
Doug and Gerry Rowland hold hands while praying at the Day of Prayer event May 1 at the Springfield Veterans Park while Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Lon Harden leads in the call to prayer. (Photo by Jeff Whitten/Effingham Herald.)
“We don’t come in pride but in awe,” Williams said. “Not in strength but through surrender, not entrusting in the power of our petitions but in the perfect character of our compassionate God.”

Springfield Mayor Barton Alderman read a proclamation marking May 1 as National Day of Prayer in the city. 

Isaac Phillips read the call for fasting and prayer issued March 16, 1776, by the Continental Congress. Hurst Baptist Church Pastor Greg Davis preached the sermon. 

Davis spoke at length on the ills facing society and what he called, “times of great uncertainties, when really the morals of our society have moved so far from Scripture it is hard to recognize what we have become.”

Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Lon Harden conducted the Call to Prayer. 

 “It is necessary,” he said, “to pray for our country each and every day. When we pray for everything else pray for our country. Pray for those at Veterans Park, those that gave their lives, those that are serving. Those that are currently in offices, those that are strangers, friends. No matter what political party or what race, we’re all creations of God and we should all pray for one another.

“We lift our country, we lift the President of the United States, we lift up the cabinet, God, we lift up every governor of every state,” Harden continued, “we lift up municipalities all over this country …  we ask you to look over the education system, look over those first responders and those that are serving our communities, our police officers. We pray for the moral fabric of this country. We pray that man turn from his wicked ways and turn to you. We pray for our country each and every day, from the rising of the sun until the going down of the same.”

After a musical performance of “Our Hope is Alive” by the Phillips family, Centerpoint Community Church Minister Kerry Smith gave the closing remarks, saying “Hope is more than just a word. It’s a lifeline, a promise, and a responsibility.”

Smith continued, “The prayers we’ve shared today awaken in us a renewed sense of purpose to be a source of hope in our families, in our neighborhoods and in our world.”

Morgan Phillips said her family is grateful for “Our country’s Christian heritage and the Christian foundation here in Effingham County.

“We deeply appreciate the Board of the Veterans’ Park, all of the people who participated in the service and everyone who came,” Phillips added. “God blessed us with a beautiful evening and a wonderful gathering.”
Effingham County to Vote Tuesday on $60 Million Budget with Tax Rollback and Major Projects
Effingham budget
Paul Kasko
Updated: Jun 16, 2025, 1:35 PM
Published: Jun 16, 2025, 1:36 PM

SPRINGFIELD, Ga. – Effingham County is proposing an 18% increase to its fiscal year 2026 budget, largely driven by infrastructure spending through sales taxes, while simultaneously rolling back its millage rate to ease the burden on taxpayers.

Effingham County Finance Director Mark Barnes presented the $9 million increase during the Board of Commissioners' first reading of the budget on June 3 — a discussion-only session with no vote taken. Despite the sharp budget growth from $51 million to $60 million, Barnes emphasized that the increase stems from planned capital investments, not operational spending, and that the general fund remains balanced with healthy reserves.

Next Steps

The budget will be up for further discussion and possible adoption at the next commissioners meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 17 at the Effingham County Administrative Complex, 804 S. Laurel St., Springfield. The public is invited to attend.   

Key Takeaways 

Budget Growth and Capital Funding

  • The proposed 2026 budget increases by approximately $9 million (18%), primarily due to transfers to capital projects funded through SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) and TSPLOST (Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) approved by voters.

  • About $7 million in fund balance reserves will be used to support major projects — part of a multi-year savings strategy.

  • Overall, $192 million is designated for capital projects, including $71 million for roads, $40 million for water treatment facilities and $17 million for parks.

  • Key capital projects include a new wastewater treatment plant at Low Ground Road and a water treatment plant near McCall Road. Extensive road improvements include the widening of Goshen and Old Augusta roads, six roundabouts and 60 miles of road resurfacing. Ongoing park upgrades include Phase 2 of the Clarence E. Morgan Complex.

  • Barnes noted that while the budget is larger, the increase reflects targeted, long-term investments, not expanded day-to-day operations.

General Fund and Fiscal Stability

  • The general fund supports core services like the sheriff’s office, emergency medical services, courts, and elections.

  • Even with fund balance usage, reserves remain above policy minimums — a sign of sound financial planning, Barnes said.

  • The general fund includes $8 million in transfers to capital project accounts, plus funds for employee raises and new hires.

Millage Rate and Tax Relief

  • County millage rate proposed to roll back by 3%, from 5.596 to 5.428.
    “Residents are actually paying less county taxes for their primary residence than they did five years ago,” Tim Callanan, Effingham County manager, said.

  • The rollback ensures homestead taxable values increase by no more than 3%, stabilizing tax bills for property owners.

  • 28% decrease in the millage rate over five years, outpacing the 14% reduction required to match assessed value growth.

Personnel and Staffing Investments

  • 18.47 new full-time equivalent positions proposed for 2026.

    • At least nine are public service employees, Including two school resource officers, six firefighters, and an additional employee for emergency management.

  • 7% increase in the general fund personnel budget, including:

    • 3% cost-of-living adjustment for each county employee

    • 2% for merit-based increases

  • Fire department to add six positions, converting a station from volunteer to full-time.

Organizational Efficiency and Department Changes

  • Creation of three new departments staffed by reassigned personnel:

    • Public Engagement Services

    • County Engineering Services

    • Customer Support Services

SPLOST, TSPLOST, and Community Buy-In

SPLOST and TSPLOST remain essential funding tools, reducing reliance on property taxes.
“Voters approving the special taxes is why we can do $192 million in capital improvements without raising property taxes,” Callanan said.