By Eric Curl
July 11, 2025 – The city of Pooler is planning to increase its property tax rate by almost 14%, to cover the cost of infrastructure improvements and capital projects, while also proposing to purchase property city officials say is needed to control growth.
City Manager Heath Lloyd said during the public hearing on Monday that they are proposing the increase because the cost of providing essential services such as public safety, road maintenance, infrastructure and recreation continue to rise sharply, while inflation, increased demand and the growing needs of the city strain its ability to maintain the high level of service that residents deserve.
“This is not a decision that we take lightly,” Lloyd said.
On Monday, the city council held two public hearings concerning the 0.500 mill increase, which amounts to about a $60 increase for a non-homestead home with a fair market value of $300,000, according to the public notice of the increase.
The city plans to use the additional tax revenue – amounting to about $1.8 million – to fund drainage improvements on Kelly Street, replace damaged police vehicles and modernize the fleet, build a traffic circle at Maxwell Drive, carry out more street resurfacing and overlays, implement street assessment software, and cover some operational costs, allowing high-priority infrastructure projects not included in the 2025 budget to move forward sooner, according to Chief Financial Officer Christopher Lightle.
If the city keeps the current millage rate, expenditures will overtake revenue by the middle of next year, Lightle said.
“If we allow revenues to not cover the expenditures, then we’re going to have to use fund balance is what we’re going to do,” Lightle said.” “We’re going to pay the bills, but we’ll put the financial security of the city at risk by running fund balance down to pay those bills.”
Some residents raised concerns about the increase burdening residents, questioning whether alternatives had been explored. The city is also applying for grants and considering implementing alternative ways to generate revenue, including an impact fee charged to cover the cost of new development in the city, according to officials. Results of the feasibility study are expected by the end of the year.
The final public hearing concerning the tax increase is scheduled for 6 p.m. on July 21, when the council will likely consider adopting the tax rate during their regular meeting.
Property Acquisition
The city council also approved the $1.6 million purchase of three parcels across from City Hall that officials say are needed to control development in the area.
Comprised of about 2.4 acres, the property includes a former AC repair business at 103 Chestnut Str., along with an adjacent former auto care business and some vacant land along US 80.
City Manager Heath Lloyd said these properties were acquired as a “strategic acquisition” for the city.
“And what I mean when I say that is that we will now control the growth and development in this entire block where we have City Hall,” Lloyd said. “So it’s important for us as we not only look forward to investments in a future downtown, but it’s also important for us to have some control over the adjacent properties to City Hall so that we can indeed shape this corridor to make sure that it is fitting not only for our residents, but certainly in alignment with the character of our city hall.”
One resident spoke out against the purchase, stating she preferred the city acquire green space instead. Another resident spoke in support of the acquisition.
Lloyd said they have not determined how the property will be used, but many ideas are under consideration, including an additional administrative complex, the city’s first police precinct and additional green space.
“And so we will work through those details of what that property will be and I will commit to the public that it will not be a surprise In total though, or in summary, it will be for a public purpose, it will be for a public purpose, a public purpose, what that purpose is is yet to be determined,” Lloyd said.
The acquisiton is expected to close after a due diligence period ends on Aug. 15
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