Thursday, June 19, 2025
Good morning!
In our quest to share info readers can use, this week we bring notes of county budgets and property taxes. We have info so you can attend public hearings or watch the discussion before the votes. We are also reminded in at least one county that back-to-school health checks are happening now. And if you are looking for things to do, Juneteenth celebrations continue and the annual free summer concert at Fort Stewart is coming soon!
Let us know how we’re doing or send a suggestion to staff@thecurrentga.org
CHATHAM COUNTY
Property tax hikes for residents: Two important public hearings, votes are on the way for Chatham residents.
• The Board of Public Education will vote on the adoption of the proposed millage rate that could raise property taxes as much as 3.89% on June 25 at 6:30 p.m. There will be a final hearing on the rate at 6 p.m. The meeting and hearing will be held at the Whitney Administrative Complex. The meeting and hearing will be livestreamed here.
• County Commissioners have tentatively adopted a millage rate that could raise property taxes 3.36% in general maintenance and 48.99% in special service or unincorporated districts for FY26. The final public hearing and adoption vote on the proposed budget at 9:30 a.m. June 27 on the 2nd floor of commission chambers, 124 Bull St. The hearing and vote will be livestreamed here.
Proposed 4.31% budget increase: County commissioners have proposed a 4.31% general fund budget increase for FY26. The final public hearing and adoption vote on the proposed budget on June 27 at 9:30 a.m. on the 2nd floor of Commission Chambers at 124 Bull St. The hearing and vote will be livestreamed here.
CAMDEN COUNTY
Want to learn how planning & zoning works? Camden County will host an open informational session on June 25 for residents to learn about zoning and planning as well as the tools that go into developing the county. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and give feedback regarding their communities and hear from staff. The meeting will be from 3-6 p.m. at 135 Gross Road, Kingsland.
Showcase Camden photo contest: Camden County residents have the chance to flaunt their photography skills in this year’s Showcase Camden photo contest. Participants are to capture and enter photos that display the rich culture of Camden. Contest guidelines are available here. Apply online or print the application here. Visit the Camden County website for more information.
LIBERTY COUNTY
Back to School Health Clinic: Liberty County Health Department will offers all required school vaccines and school health screenings from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, 1113 E. Oglethorpe Hwy., Hinesville. Insurance is accepted and there are low-cost options if you’re uninsured. Call 912-876-2173 or sign up here for an appointment. Future clinics will take place July 17 and July 24.
Fort Stewart Free Concert: Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Air Field present their annual free Salute to Summer Concert, from 3:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, June 27 at Donovan Field, Fort Stewart. Quavo, Chase Rice, and DJRock are featured. Enjoy mechanical bull riding, ax-throwing, jousting, rock walls, a dunk tank, kids’ inflatables, face painting, 24 food trucks, military armored vehicles and a massive fireworks display. The public entrance is off Old Sunbury Road at the Capt. Maurice Britt Gate.
BRYAN COUNTY
Airport authority gets 3: Last week, the Bryan County commissioners approved the appointments to the Richmond Hill-Bryan County Airport Authority: County Manager Ben Taylor, District 5 Commissioner Gene Wallace, and Marty Daniel, founder of firearms maker Daniel Defense. Richmond Hill and Bryan County’s legislative delegation have yet to make their appointments, although the clock is ticking toward a June 30 deadline.
NAACP to host Juneteenth breakfast: Bryan County’s chapter of the NAACP will host a prayer breakfast to celebrate Juneteenth, commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. The event will be from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Saturday at the Wetlands Center in Richmond Hill. The breakfast is free to all.
GLYNN COUNTY
H.O.M.E Act info sessions: House Bill 793 could lead to the first property tax cut in Brunswick’s history. This bill will allow city residents the opportunity to vote this November to reduce property tax bills for 2026 and beyond. Mayor Cosby Johnson and the Brunswick City Commission have been holding information sessions this summer. Three more are set: events: June 24 at the 100 Miles office in Urbana/Perry Park, June 26 at the Respect for Life Bookstore in Midtown and July 14 at First Presbyterian Church in Historic Brunswick. Each session will begin at 6 p.m.
Juneteenth celebrations: For the sixth consecutive year, the Glynn County Tigers will hold a celebration at Selden Park with live music from Tranquility 4 Soul on Saturday. However, if you want to get a chance to celebrate today, the Tigers will be screening “Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom” at Stembler Theater on the College of Coastal Georgia campus, followed by a community discussion led by Kyle Fox at 6 p.m.
MCINTOSH COUNTY
Night school program opens in Darien: Ahead of the school year, the McIntosh County Board of Education has partnered with Coastal Plains High School to launch a satellite location in Darien. The state charter school will offer a night school program that allows adult learners the opportunity to earn an accredited high school diploma. Students who may struggle to earn their degree in the traditional school setting can enroll at Coastal Plains for a new pathway to credit recovery and graduation.
Juneteenth celebration: Darien will hold a Juneteenth celebration in Columbus Square today, June 19. Admission is free, and those attending can enjoy music, food games, and a car show.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY
Help rewrite county zoning districts: The Zoning Districts Stakeholder Committee, a volunteer organization helping to rewrite the county’s Article IV-Zoning Districts, is meeting from 10 a.m. to noon, Friday, June 20. Join residents of various backgrounds and perspectives in the Effingham County Administration Complex Training Room at 804 South Laurel St.
Board of Education meets tonight: The Board of Education will hold its final hearing on the FY26 budget a 7 p.m. today, June 19, at 405 North Ash St.. The meeting agenda can be found here and the livestream link can be found here if you want to watch the discussion.
ALONG THE COAST
Kids eat free: This summer, kids and teens 18 or younger can get free summer meals through Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia. Meals are Monday through Friday at various locations. No signups are required. Find a spot at this link: http://helpendhunger.org/find
Cast Net features nuggets from Coastal Georgia that we hope you’ll find interesting, fun or useful. All that said, we’ll need to hear from you to make sure we’re on the right track.
We’re always working to make sure our newsletters are as useful as they can be, and we’ll be experimenting over the next few months in this Thursday space. Send me your thoughts at susan.catron@thecurrentga.org
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