Port Wentworth seeking to join CAT tax district

May 22, 2026 — Port Wentworth officials are pushing to formally join Chatham Area Transit’s taxing district as growth in the city fuels increasing transportation demands and pressure for expanded regional transit service.

During a CAT board workshop Tuesday, Port Wentworth City Manager Steve Davis told board members the city grew by 19% over the past year alone and has expanded by 61% since the 2020 Census, creating mounting congestion concerns and intensifying the need for transit investment.

“One of the key drivers that our city council instilled in this administration and this staff was that we were going to address the transportation issue,” Davis said.

Board of Directors FY 2027 Workshop #2 – May 19, 2026 – YouTube

Port Wentworth’s current city council unanimously approved a resolution supporting membership in CAT’s taxing and service district, Davis said during the presentation. He said the proposal is now expected to go before the Chatham County Commission for consideration in June after recent discussions between city officials, county leaders and legal counsel.

If approved, Port Wentworth property owners would begin paying CAT’s transit millage beginning Jan. 1, replacing the city’s current annual service agreement payment to the transit authority. Davis said Port Wentworth currently contributes about $427,000 annually to CAT through the service agreement, but the city’s rapid tax digest growth means the new millage structure could generate more than $1 million annually for the transit system.

“We’ve got enormous growth out there and our tax digest is more than double,” Davis said. “Let me say that again — more than doubled in the last four years.”

The proposal comes as CAT faces mounting financial challenges, including declining transit tax revenues, the loss of $3.1 million in annual American Rescue Plan Act funding and rising operating and capital costs. Executive Director Stephanie Cutter said CAT is projecting an approximately $4.2 million decline in transit tax revenue collections for the current fiscal year compared to fiscal year 2025, following a reduction by the county of their requested millage rate last year.

“Now with that, the month of May is normally a strong month for transit tax revenues,” Cutter said. “So hopefully the latter part of the month we’ll see an increase which will reduce that projected decrease.”

Cutter said expanding the tax district would strengthen regional partnerships and help support long-term transit investments while ridership growth remains critical to securing additional federal operating funds.

Davis outlined several potential transit expansion opportunities in Port Wentworth, including shuttle service tied to concerts and events at the city’s new Anchor Park amphitheater and Savannah’s Enmarket Arena.

“We’ve got 1,500 parking spaces in Anchor Park,” Davis said. “So, lots of room for park and ride.”

Davis also said Port Wentworth hopes to improve ridership along the city’s existing CAT route, which he said has struggled to gain strong usage partly because of lengthy travel times and limited marketing.

Board members discussed the possibility of future transit-only lanes, expanded microtransit service and stronger regional transportation coordination as development accelerates along the US 95 and Ga. 21 corridors. Davis said Port Wentworth is already partnering with CAT, the Georgia Department of Transportation, Savannah and Effingham County on major roadway projects, including Benton Boulevard improvements.

Cutter praised the city’s collaborative approach and called Port Wentworth a key regional partner.

“Port Wentworth really does walk and talk partnerships,” Cutter said.

Davis said the city wants to continue deepening its relationship with CAT as growth continues.

“We want to be part of the One CAT,” Davis said. “We want to be part of that.”

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