The Educational Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST) goes into effect on January 1, 2007. The sales tax rate in Chatham County will be 7% effective January 1, 2007.
On September 19, 2006 the citizens of Chatham County approved an Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST). This additional penny of sales tax is estimated to generate up to $360 Million over the next five years. The funds will be used in two ways; $67 Million will be used to retire existing bond debt over the five year period. By using ESPLOST funds to pay this bond debt, property owners will save the millage rate equivalent of that $67 Million dollars over the five year period. The remaining funds will be used to build 8 new schools (3 New Sites and 5 Replacement Sites), provide additions and renovations to several school sites, provide significant upgrades to existing facilities and provide much needed technology upgrades to the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System.
