Chatham County commissioners seek quick end to fire fee case

CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - Chatham County commissioners have accepted the Georgia Supreme Court’s ruling ordering the county to pay about $30 million to current and former residents for a fire fee the court ruled should have been considered a tax.

For an explanation on the fire fee history and extended details on the court’s ruling, click here.

The commission is now trying to finish the legal process as quickly as it can, and so they unanimously voted Monday morning to dismiss their motion to have the court reconsider it’s ruling. Commissioners say the move will save taxpayer money.

After nearly an hour in executive session, District 7 Commissioner Dean Kicklighter said the commission’s motion to dismiss its request for reconsideration could save residents more than $1 million in interest that builds while the county waits to repay.

Daily interest is accruing

Chatham County Attorney R. Jonathan Hart said that interest runs daily.

“And if you take a 30-day month, you’re probably talking $225,000 just in interest for that month,” Hart said.

Kicklighter said the commission plans to inform residents on what this means in their next meeting.

“It is our plan to present to you at the next meeting a detailed presentation that will tell you exactly why we believe the taxpayers of Chatham County need us to do exactly what we’re about to do,” Kicklighter said.

Repayment process not yet set

How residents will be paid has not been determined. The county is waiting on the court’s order.

Earlier this year, the Georgia Supreme Court ordered Emanuel County to repay $650,000.

For a look at their county’s repayment website, click here.

If Chatham County follows that process, current county residents who paid the fee would have their repayment mailed to them automatically. Former residents who paid the fee would have to submit their information through an online portal.