Annual Budget

The City currently owns over 200 acres of recreation space.  These funds represent potential opportunities to secure and preserve additional green space for public use and environmental protection. 

Pooler Recreation Complex at 200 Preston Stokes Drive (PIN # 51013 01048) – 87.12 acres 

Pooler Recreation Park at 900 S. Rogers Street (PIN # 50009 01019) – 126.72 acres 

The recommendation to support Public Safety is a total of $3.8M.  The recommendation is supported by $2M allocation in SPLOST 8 (if approved) and $1.8M allocation from the FY 2026 general fund.

The $500,000 allocated for drainage improvements will fund hydrological and hydraulic modeling of the City’s drainage basins. This effort will help identify needed upgrades and improvements.  An environmentalist will not be directly involved in the modeling effort. 

Yes. The City has been preparing and submitting its own grant applications without the use of a hired technical writer.  Technical writers are not required for grants, but they’re often highly beneficial, especially for competitive or complex grant proposals.  The City of Pooler has applied for 18 grants in FY 2025 using the expertise of our current staff noting again that technical writers are not always required for grants.  However, to pursue additional grants we are proposing an allocation to support third part professional grant writing. 

See the status of grants applied for in FY 2025, noting that the City has successfully secured over 60% (12/18) of all grant applications submitted. 

This funding would support equipment replacement for playground equipment for any of the parks in the City.  Ultimately, the funding is intended to enhance the City’s parks and recreation system to ensure facilities are modern, accessible, and family-oriented. The funding level reflects the comprehensive scope of this planning effort.

Yes, the funding would support the establishment and operations of a Downtown Development Authority, including the salary of an Executive Director, as determined by the DDA Board. These funds are intended to help launch and sustain the DDA’s work in economic development and downtown revitalization.

This funding is set aside to help establish volunteer councils or committees, including potential costs for materials, supplies, or administrative support.  Any unused funds will be reallocated back to the general fund.  The recommendation was made in support of a Youth Council and/or Senior Councils, acknowledging that the formation of specific councils/committees, remains at the discretion of Council based on identified needs and priorities.

All bids are publicly posted on the City of Pooler’s official website as well as on the Georgia Procurement Registry to ensure full transparency and accessibility.

• Bids & Proposals – City of Pooler Georgia
• Georgia Procurement Registry

Ultimately, such a targeted approach is illegal, unsustainable, and bad public policy, and Georgia is already acting to stop it.  Georgia law, to include pending legislation specifically HB 140, the “End Local Taxation by Citation Act”, limit and scrutinize the use of fines as a revenue source, state agencies can revoke enforcement privileges when abuse is found, and relying on ticketing as a budget strategy is ethically problematic and invites audits, legal action, and loss of public trust.  Public safety remains a top priority for the City, and the Police Department will continue to enforce all laws and issue traffic citations where appropriate.

The $250,000 greenspace allotment is designed as a cumulative fund.  Year over year investments into this initiative would allow for these funds to accumulate, allowing for larger future purchases.  For example, $250,000 per year over four years would total $1 million, which could be used to acquire a property solely for greenspace preservation

No. By law, SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) funds cannot be specifically “redistributed” to the City’s General Fund.  SPLOST revenue must be used exclusively for voter-approved capital projects, as outlined in the intergovernmental agreement and referendum language. For example, the current SPLOST for the City of Pooler totals approximately $65 million over six years (about $10 million per year). If the City were to replace SPLOST funding with General Fund revenue to cover those same capital needs, it would require increasing the millage rate from approximately 4.197 mils to 7.3 mils — a 74% increase — to generate equivalent funding.

That is a question for the Chamber.  The Pooler Chamber of Commerce is a private-sector, non-profit organization incorporated under the laws of the State of Georgia. It operates independently from the City and is not funded through City tax revenues.

In accordance with the City of Pooler’s Charter, the Mayor and City Council approve the budget, which includes any pay raises, merit raises and/or cost of living allowances.

In FY 2025, the City established a targeted efficiency goal of $445,000.  As of October 1, 2025, through a combination of contract adjustments and operational changes, the City exceeded that goal, realizing total estimated savings of $455,600 so far in FY 2025.  These savings were achieved without impacting levels of service.

The accommodations excise tax, commonly referred to as the hotel/motel tax, is a 6% tax the City of Pooler collects on rooms or lodging provided to the public by hotels and similar businesses.  Under O.C.G.A. § 48-13-51, the City must use 33.3% of the revenue to promote tourism, conventions, and trade shows through a qualified nonprofit organization, known as a destination marketing organization (DMO).  These funds are restricted by state law. 

The 9.4% increase in the property tax digest is based on data provided by the Chatham County Board of Assessors and multi-year trends in Pooler’s residential and commercial growth.  Specifically, the city’s 2025 net digest was $3,036,437,065. Based on our five-year history, increases in the digest from reassessments of existing real property are expected to be 4.24%, and increases in other changes (including new growth) are expected to be 5.14%. Generally, property taxes are more stable compared to sales tax revenue during a slowdown in the local economy. Local economists believe that any slowdown in the area’s economy will be temporary.  Again, the projection reflects new construction, redevelopment, and continued market appreciation. If actual growth is lower than anticipated, the City will delay nonessential capital purchases and limit discretionary spending to maintain a balanced budget without impacting core services.

The FY 2026 projection includes a conservative 2% decline from 2025 actuals to account for adjustment based on the Intergovernmental agreement that was signed in 2022.  To be more specific, sales tax revenue is affected by an intergovernmental agreement negotiated in 2022. The agreement allows for a gradual increase in the County allocation of the sales tax from 25% to 31%, resulting in a reduction of sales tax revenue to the municipalities. In 2025, the reduction to the municipalities was 2%. Sales tax revenue during the first quarter of 2025 was down 5.02% compared to the first quarter of 2024. As of September 30th, sales tax revenue was down 1.52% compared to the same nine months in 2024. The final increase of 3% occurs in 2026. Flat to modest growth in sales tax revenue is not expected to overcome the reduction in sales tax revenue in 2026. Sales tax revenue is closely monitored, and corrective measures will be taken to mitigate the city’s exposure to significant decreases in collections.  Staff monitor collections monthly and can adjust operating expenditures midyear if necessary.

The City’s major SPLOST commitments include $18.7 million for the Quacco Road widening project and $9.3 million for other transportation and infrastructure priorities. Construction on Quacco Road Phase I is projected through 2027.  Any cost overruns would be addressed through project reprioritization within available SPLOST funds.

The $3.3 million transfer supports capital needs not funded by existing SPLOST funding. Of this amount, $1.9 million funds public safety vehicles, including approximately 26 police units (refer to question 4 for the types of vehicles) for the Pooler Police Department.  These investments maintain fleet readiness and support Pooler’s growing public safety demands. Other costs associated with this tranfer include other heavy equipment and road paving projects to support Public Works.

The accommodations excise tax, commonly referred to as the hotel/motel tax, is a 6% tax the City of Pooler collects on rooms or lodging provided to the public by hotels and similar businesses.  Under O.C.G.A. § 48-13-51, the City must use 33.3% of the revenue to promote tourism, conventions, and trade shows through a qualified nonprofit organization, known as a destination marketing organization (DMO).  These funds are restricted by state law.  Ultimately, in accordance with state law, the $1.5 million transfer supports tourism promotion, event programming, and marketing efforts that enhance Pooler’s visitor economy.  The City monitors the accommodation excise tax through metrics such as hotel occupancy rates, local sales tax performance, and event attendance, but largely this is an effort of Visit Pooler the City’s destination marketing organization (DMO).  Again, this is a better question for the Chamber, noting that the City of Pooler is state mandated to provide 33.3% of the accommodation excise tax to a DMO.  See the state statute for additional details  O.C.G.A. § 48-13-51

The new Communications Department, established in FY 2025, will strengthen public information, social media presence, and community outreach. The FY 2026 allocation funds ongoing operations, including staffing for a Communications Coordinator, media tools, and training. Outcomes include improved transparency, consistent messaging, and expanded resident engagement. 

So far in FY 2025 the City has launched its first social media campaign with a presence on Facebook, X, and Instagram which occurred in July 2025.  In addition, the City has created more video content regarding the capital projects and grants won in the City.  The next efforts will continue engagement and communication efforts across our various platforms to include our website. 

There are currently no additional staffing needs in this regard.

The DDA funding supports organizational start-up, legal formation, and initial planning or branding activities. The DDA will have a seven-member board appointed by City Council and will focus on downtown revitalization, business recruitment, and coordination with Planning and Zoning to support mixed-use development and economic vitality.  Ultimately, the goal is to move forward with the previously approved mainstreet master plan. 

This plan provides an opportunity to establish clear, achievable goals that will guide the continued growth and revitalization of the historic Main Street. The master plan will serve as a roadmap to:

• Build upon the area’s history, assets, and recent development momentum;
• Attract new businesses, jobs, and visitors to Main Street;
• Recommend enhancements and promote high-quality design and development along the corridor.

Both estimates are derived from multi-year collection averages and/or recent utility and insurance trends in Pooler.  Factors such as changes in utility rates, regional energy consumption, population growth, and state insurance premium distributions can affect revenues. Staff continually review state remittance reports and local indicators to adjust projections as needed.

The 2025 electric franchise tax revenue was $2,490,000. The five-year history of this revenue indicates an average percentage increase year-over-year of 12.20%. Utility rates are frozen until 2028. Significant increases in this revenue source are directly related to development.  See trend below for reference.

The 2025 insurance premium tax revenue was $2,786,000. The five-year history of this revenue indicates an average percentage increase year-over-year of 16.33%. This tax is based on gross premiums collected by insurance companies and is also affected by development.  See trend below for reference.

The increase reflects market-wide premium adjustments and utilization trends. The City continues to explore strategies to manage costs, including employee wellness initiatives, preventive care programs, and periodic reviews of alternative providers and plan designs to ensure affordability and value.  Ultimately, the goal would be for the City to become self-funded as a means to control the costs, but currently we can only bid group insurance to carriers such as Anthem, Cigna and Aetna.  We bid it competitively year over year, but the market-wide premiums continue to increase.   See trends and potential solutions as noted below:

No, this is not the City Manager’s annual salary.  The $439,145 budgeted under City Manager is the total for the City Manager’s office, not just the City Manager’s salary.  It includes salary, wages and benefits for both the City Manager and an administrative assistant.  The budget for the City Manager’s Office also covers $20,000 for purchased and contracted services and $12,000 for general supplies and materials. In addition, the budget has allocations for travel, education, training etc. for the City Manager and the administrative assistant.

The $1,526,000 for public safety supplies covers general supplies and materials for BOTH the police and fire departments. For the police, this includes $642,000 for items such as ammunition, fuel, electricity, small equipment, and other day-to-day operational supplies. While ammunition and fuel are significant costs, the funds also support general operational needs.

The city plans to purchase 21 Ford Interceptor SUVs outfitted with lights and safety equipment estimated at approximately $74,500 each.  Additionally, 4 Ford Interceptor SUVs for the Criminal Investigations Division at $59,000 each and 1 Ford Expedition for CID at $70,000. These purchases are planned as part of FY 2026 budget and would be purchased in FY 2026, pending availability.