Savannah officials oppose sales tax cut

Nov. 6– The Savannah City Commission is echoing the position of the Hardin County Commission and local chamber of commerce on the upcoming sales tax referendum.

Thursday night, city commissioners unanimously approved a resolution in opposition to cutting the local option sales tax from the current 2.5 percent, to 1.5 percent. Doing so would not be in the best interest of citizens of Savannah or citizens of Hardin County, according to city officials.

A grassroots group opposed to school consolidation, Concerned Citizens For Community Schools, obtained approximately 3,000 signatures in its successful drive to force a public referendum seeking to reduce the sales tax rate.

Since 1997, proceeds from the 1 cent in question have been used for school construction and renovation projects.

The special countywide election is set for Dec. 1, and early voting starts Nov. 12.

The city’s resolution states Savannah’s property tax rate would have to increase by 87 cents to make up for the lost sales tax revenue. It would take a 32 cent hike in the county property tax rate to replace the revenue dedicated for the school projects.