Chatham County chairman, CAT CEO clash over transit budget, forensic audit ordered

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) — A months-long standoff between Chatham County and Chatham Area Transit erupted into a public confrontation Wednesday, as Commission Chairman Chester Ellis accused the transit authority of financial dishonesty, and CAT’s CEO fired back in real time.

The exchange happened during the Chatham County Board of Commissioners’ budget workshop for Fiscal Year 2026-2027, where CAT presented its proposed $42 million budget and renewed its request for a millage rate increase.

“You all are not truthful in what you’re saying and what you’re doing,” Ellis said. “And I started, as chairman of this commission, I started out trying to help y’all out.”

CAT CEO Stephanie Cutter pushed back immediately.

“Mr. Chairman, what you’re saying is not the truth,” Cutter said. “The county has always gotten details from CAT, and I’m not gonna stand here and allow you to do that anymore.”

The dispute over the budget

At the heart of the conflict is how CAT built its proposed budget. Ellis says county auditors conducted a contractual audit of CAT’s finances and found serious problems, including revenue CAT is counting as income that has not yet been awarded.

“How do you budget for moneys you don’t have?” Ellis said.

“You said you’re waiting on some grants. Do you have the grants? No. You applied for them, but you don’t have them. So how can you count that as income? You can’t count that as revenue until after you get there.”

Cutter defended the budget’s transparency, saying it is broken down by division and line item.

“It is a detail, just like the county has a budget; you all know what goes into salaries, wages, and all of that,” Cutter said.

“That is fact. And that is in the line item budget.”

Ellis has now escalated to a full forensic audit of CAT’s finances, a deeper investigation that can be used to examine potential financial misconduct.

Ellis recommends zero millage increase for CAT

Ellis said Wednesday he will recommend the commission approve zero millage rate increase for CAT when the county sets its tax rates next month. CAT’s current millage rate stands at 0.94 mills.

CAT’s proposed budget includes a $3.1 million hole left by the expiration of federal American Rescue Plan Act funding on June 30. the same day the county’s intergovernmental agreement with CAT expires.

County seeks to find replacement provider

With the IGA set to expire June 30, hundreds of Chatham County residents who depend on CAT’s paratransit service — transportation for people with disabilities to medical appointments, dialysis centers, and other essential trips — are facing uncertainty.

Ellis said the county has already issued a Request for Qualifications to find a replacement paratransit provider. Seven companies responded. No provider has been selected yet.

“Not one day will be missed for paratransit,” Ellis said. “Not one day, not one hour, not one minute in this county. Because we will have something in place to carry us through.”

CAT serves approximately 300 paratransit riders per day, according to figures presented at Wednesday’s meeting.

Port Wentworth blocked from joining transit district

Also Wednesday, WTOC obtained a letter showing the county has blocked the city of Port Wentworth from joining the CAT Service and Taxing District — despite the city passing a resolution requesting inclusion more than a year ago.

Port Wentworth City Council passed a resolution on June 12, 2025, formally asking to join the transit district and pay into it.

Ellis responded in writing, telling Port Wentworth Mayor Tracy Saunders the county would not expand the taxing district until ongoing litigation over House Bill 756 is resolved in court.

HB 756 removed Chatham County’s appointments from the CAT board while adding seats for other entities.

The county believes the legislation is unconstitutional and has been litigating it since 2025.

Port Wentworth City Manager Steve Davis was present at Wednesday’s meeting and prepared to address commissioners.

Ellis did not allow him to speak.

Mayor Saunders handed the letter to WTOC before leaving the meeting.

What’s next

The county is set to adopt its budget on June 26. The millage rate, including CAT’s, will not be set until a series of public hearings in July. The first two hearings are scheduled for July 15. The final hearing and millage levy adoption is set for July 18.