The Chatham County Board of Commissioners and Chatham Area Transit (CAT) share a relationship that dates back to the transit authority's creation in 1986. At that time, the governing board included all nine county commissioners and four citizen members. In 2012, the Georgia Legislature revised the CAT Act, restructuring the board to include three county commissioners, two county residents, a City of Savannah alderman, a Savannah resident, and a representative from another municipality.

In recent years, Chatham County's representatives on the CAT board have raised concerns about the agency's operations, particularly regarding services in unincorporated areas, where service routes have been cut, and those funded directly by the County.

CAT's funding comes from multiple sources. County residents within the transit district pay a property tax millage that supports general operations, including fixed-route service, staff, vehicles, and facilities. Chatham County separately funds paratransit services for residents with disabilities. The City of Savannah pays for other services, including DOT routes and ferries to Hutchinson Island, while Port Wentworth funds service through a contractual agreement. CAT also receives federal transportation grants.

Chatham County's primary concerns center on how Chatham Area Transit allocates and uses public funds, particularly those designated for paratransit services and ferry operations. County representatives on the CAT board report observing potential irregularities, including the alleged use of paratransit buses for fixed-route service, which is prohibited under current contracts. Commissioners have also questioned whether paratransit funds and millage revenues are being used to subsidize ferry services that are the financial responsibility of the City of Savannah. During a special called meeting earlier this year, Interim CEO Stephanie Cutter told commissioners the City of Savannah had not paid for ferry operations since at least 2021, and possibly since 2018. County representatives have requested a forensic audit for several years, but none has been conducted.

In early 2025, state lawmakers amended the CAT Act, reducing county representation on the board, reducing County oversight of the public funds collected through the millage and paid through contract by the County. The County has filed a lawsuit on the grounds that the new law is unconstitutional, and the suit is currently moving through the legal system.

The Transit Authority Act is a general statewide act that describes the requirements a county must follow to have a Transit Authority. The Transit Act requires the county, and the central city must make up the majority of the membership of the Authority. The general act terms trump any local act's terms as to the same subject matter.

The majority of Chatham County Commissioners agree CAT needs to be transparent in their use of funds and that a majority of CAT Board members should be elected officials, since public funds are the primary funding source for the agency.

In November, Chatham County Chairman Chester Ellis sent a letter to CAT to serve as notice that the County will not renew its contract for paratransit service in July of 2026 in an attempt to bring CAT to the negotiating table. Each member of the Board of Commissioners understands and support the need for public transportation in Chatham County, and ending public transportation is not their goal.

In a special called CAT Board meeting on November 24th, the CAT board stated they would go to the State legislature in 2026 to request the County to pay $48 million in upcoming SPLOST funds to CAT, which was not on the SPLOST list voters approved in November, as well as asking lawmakers to allow the unelected transit authority members to set its own tax millage rate.

In a press conference on December 4th , State Senator Derek Mallow, along with a majority of the County Commission announced a plan that Mallow will set in motion on the first day of the General Assembly's session in January 2026. Mallow said he would propose legislation to reorganize the CAT board, increasing the current board to 13 members, allowing the majority of the Board members to be elected officials from the County and participating municipalities, while maintaining representation from the tourism industry.

Recap of Commissioners' concerns:

• Reduced transit service in unincorporated areas

• Use and allocation of public funds

• Alleged misuse of paratransit resources

• Potential subsidization of ferry operations and lack of funding for ferry services since at least 2018

• Absence of a forensic audit

• Reduced County oversight following changes to the CAT Act

• Concerns about unelected board members managing taxpayer funds

• Unelected authority members setting tax mileage rates is unconstitutional.

• Legal challenge to the amended CAT Act.

• Lack of transparency and accountability

• Threats to seek legislative action to compel County funding, including a request for $48 million in SPLOST funds although not a municipality or county and not approved by voters and authority for CAT to set its own millage rate.

###