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Freedom Rings parade in works
fireworks
Pictured is a burst from the 2019 Freedom Rings Festival fireworks show at Freedom Park. - photo by Mark Lastinger/staff
Mark Lastinger
Effingham Herald
Updated: May 14, 2021, 3:20 PM
Published: May 14, 2021, 2:59 PM

RINCON — The resumption of an Independence Day-related parade in Rincon is marching toward reality.

During a regularly scheduled meeting May 10, the Rincon City Council set a date for the Freedom Rings Festival and an accompanying parade that would be sponsored by Effingham Heroes Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization whose purpose is to show support and foster community respect for first responders.

“What we had planned to do was have a parade and come up with a route that would actually take the parade and dump it into Freedom Park so that we get the parade and festival tied together,” Effingham Heroes President Susie Davis said. “Obviously, the more participants we have the more likely it will be successful.”

The starting point of the proposed route is Compassion Christian Church on Fort Howard Road. It then proceeds along Fort Howard Road and across Ga. Hwy 21 to Brentwood Street, which runs parallel to Ga. Hwy 21 in front of Kroger. A let turn there takes it straight to Freedom Park.

“If we do it on June 26, we could do the lineup at 8 a.m. and step off the parade at 10 and end up at Freedom Park.” Davis said.

City Manager John Klimm told the council that the Rincon Recreation Department, which conducts the Freedom Rings Festival, was agreeable to the June 26 date and a parade suggestion.

“I appreciate y’all wanting to start the parade back,” Mayor Ken Lee said. “It was a long-standing event for the city for a number of years. It just kind of got more difficult to manage and get parade participants but I know you have a great plan laid out to fix that.”

“It’s called Gussie Nease,” Davis said.

Nease, a strong advocate for first responders, is signing up parade participants.

The Freedom Rings Festival was nixed last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In another item of community interest, the council cleared the way for First Baptist Church Rincon to host a June 3 farmers’ market in its parking lot. The event would feature locally grown produce and locally produced crafts.

“It’s free for the vendors. We are not charging them anything,” church representative Lori Sowers said.

Sowers also asked the council to OK a farmers’ market for June 26 that would be held in conjunction with the Freedom Rings Festival.

“I think it’s going to be interesting,” Sowers said.  

Lee expressed enthusiastic support for the effort and mentioned that a piece of city-owned property on Ninth Street might be a good spot for weekend farmers’ markets.

In other action, the council approved a request by Tractor Supply Company, 101 W. Fort Howard Road, for a Site Plan Amendment to remodel the interior by adding a pet clinic and wash room, the exterior by adding a garden center with greenhouse along with an enclosed storage area and drive-through for pick-ups.  

The work is expected to take 12 weeks to complete.

Before the meeting started, City Clerk Dulcia King was recognized as part of the 52nd Annual Professional Municipal Clerks Week. Lee read a proclamation in her honor and she was presented an arrangement of flowers.

“A lot of what Dulcia does is not evident to the public but it is evident to us,” Lee said. “She is probably one of the strongest stabilizing and supportive staff members that we have for our council and all the rest of the staff, too. I think John would say so..”

King was received approving applause from the audience.
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.