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IDA kicks off 2019 with officer selection
DRT America, OmniTRAX receive attention from board
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Mark Lastinger
Effingham Herald
Published: Jan 22, 2019, 1:55 PM

IDA Board of Directors

Troy Smith, chairman

Dr. Slade Helmy, vice chairman

Jacob Lang, secretary-treasurer

Damon Rahn

Lon Harden

Dick Knowlton

Swaid Rahn

Matt Saxon

Brandt Herndon, CEO

SPRINGFIELD — One of Effingham County’s most important gavels has been passed to Troy Smith.

Smith was unanimously elected chairman of the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority Board of Directors during a Jan. 16 board meeting. He succeeded Glen Weston, whose term on the board expired last year.

 The board elected holdovers Dr. Slade Helmly and Jacob Lang vice chairman and secretary-treasurer, respectively. 

The board also includes Damon Rahn, Lon Harden, Dick Knowlton and Swaid Rahn. Its lone new member is Matt Saxon, who replaced Weston.

 “When you think that five of you were up for reappoinment (in their respective districts) and four of you are willing to remain, I really appreciate it,” IDA CEO Brandt Herndon said. “Thank you, guys, because you easily could have said, ‘I’ve had enough,’ because I know there are a lot of other things you could be doing right now at six o’clock on a Wednesday or Thursday night. It’s not lost on me the sacrifice that you make by being here.

“I really appreciate it and I love the continuity that we have. Still being new, it would have been somewhat difficult if all of you hadn’t been reappointed and we had five new people it would have been a challenge.”

Herndon, named CEO by the board last spring, followed the election of officers, an explanation of ethics policies and making committee assignments by issuing a report on DRT America and OmniTRAX Inc.

DRT America, which processes turpentine for use in a wide variety of products, has received periodic complaints about a foul smell emanating from its new Rincon plant.

“Luckily, we have not had any odor complaints lately ...,” Herndon said.

DRT America is still trucking its wastewater for treatment at a Brunswick facility at an annual cost of about $1 million.

“That can’t continue on forever,” Herndon said. “At some point, hopefully, there is a solution out there and I know that the City of Springfield is working with some parties to try to come up with a solution that may not benefit only DRT but benefit the City of Springfield and maybe benefit the county as a whole.

“So that’s where we are with at that — still working to resolve that problem.”

The trucking of the wastewater was necessitated by the City of Springfield’s rejection last year of its request to send its wastewater to the nearby Harris C. Hinely Water Treatment Plant.

Herndon reported that OmniTRAX has picked up the pace of its work at and near the Savannah Gateway Industrial Hub. OmniTRAX is the IDA’s partner at the 2,700-acre park.

OmniTRAX is paying for infrastructure for the hub, including the widening of McCall Road. Herndon said work is likely to resume this week.

“It’s going to happen and, hopefully, it will be done by the end of the summer,” he explained.

Herndon said the Effingham County Board of Commissioners wants a sidewalk added to the affected area because of safety concerns. He said railroad switches are set to be added to the hub in 2020.

“All this is good news,” Herndon said.
Effingham Schools Approve Property Tax Rate Increase
School Property Tax Rate Increase
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.

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.

Historical Millage Rate Chart

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.