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Lost Plantation golf cart parade ready to roll
Neighbors band together again to help one of their own undergoing cancer treatment
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Paul Floeckher
Updated: Dec 4, 2012, 3:04 AM
Published: Dec 4, 2012, 3:06 AM

After reaching out to help a family during the holiday season last year, the Lost Plantation community is hosting an even bigger event this year to help another neighbor.


Lost Plantation will host its second annual Light the Night Golf Cart Parade on Saturday. The proceeds will assist Donna Reardon, who has been undergoing treatment since being diagnosed with cancer in June.


The parade, spearheaded by Melissa Capwell, Julie Dickey, Marie Snow and Dawn Herrington, will begin at 7 p.m. at the Lost Plantation clubhouse.


“Effingham County and this community are so close-knit, it seems like everybody knows everybody,” Capwell said. “I feel like giving back and knowing you made a difference in someone’s life is the best feeling in the world. “


The golf cart parade began last year as a neighborhood fundraiser to help Ashley Toler, a mother of two young boys who was battling cancer. According to Capwell, the parade raised more than $5,000 to go toward Toler’s medical expenses.


“We decided to bring some cheer to her and her family for the Christmas season, and that we did,” Capwell said. “Her children loved the parade and she was able to watch from her porch with family and friends.”


The organizers plan to do the same this year for the Reardon family. Donna Reardon began radiation and chemotherapy right after her diagnosis and she had surgery to remove the tumor, but she faces complications with spots on her liver and lung. Reardon’s husband works for Gulfstream, but she has been unable to work since July, according to Capwell.


“The financial hardships that come with such an illness have been trying for her and her family,” Capwell said. “With our help, she can concentrate on beating the cancer and be on the road to getting her life back.”


Prior to the parade of golf carts festooned with decorations and lights, Lost Plantation will host a festival from 4-7 p.m. neat the subdivision’s tennis courts. The festival, a new addition this year, will include music, a bake sale, crafts fair, silent auction, 50/50 raffle, children’s games and even a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.


“We decided to make the event last a little longer this year,” Capwell said. “We hope to make this a great night and fun for all.”


The entry fee for the golf cart parade is $25. Pre-registration is preferred, but registration will be accepted until 6 p.m. the night of the parade.


The charge for a crafts booth is also $25. Organizers also welcome donations of gift baskets, gift certificates and craft items for the silent auction and goodies for the bake sale.


For more information, call Capwell at (912) 429-6323 or Dickey at (706) 271-7722.
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.