From:​ Mayor Johnson <VJohnson01@Savannahga.

Gov>
Sent:​ Monday, August 3, 2020 8:16 AM
To:​ xCity_Council <xCity_Council@Savannahga.Gov>
Cc:​ Pat Monahan <PMonahan@Savannahga.Gov>; Bates Lovett
<BLovett@Savannahga.Gov>; Mark Massey <MMassey@Savannahga.Gov>; Marty Johnston
<MJohnston01@Savannahga.Gov>; Nick Zoller <NZoller@Savannahga.Gov>
Subject:​ Social Media Posts Depicting Untrue Information

Colleagues,

Please be advised that the below and attached which was forwarded to me, is not reflective of
any action of the Council, and given the Clerk’s recollection of the discussion of our previous
meeting, is an outright lie.

Again, be reminded that there has been no vote of Council regarding setting the millage rate
and while some members may have expressed some initial thoughts one way or the other, to
characterize any action of the Council as a vote is simply not true and intentionally misleading.

Further, in response to Alderwoman Blakely’s erroneous assertion that there was a “5-4” vote,
the Clerk has also correctly indicated that Alderman Leggett and I expressed no preference
either way during the discussion, but as is it depicted on the graphic as if a choice was made is
again, intentionally deceptive and not true.

As I understand it, this graphic and similar ones has appeared on the Facebook pages of
various Council members, which have since been screenshotted and are being circulated to
other Council members and the public.

While I realize that this process is new to many of you and I believe that the City Manager and
the Budget Director has exhaustively explained this annual exercise of Council, our options
remain the same -

1) Maintain the current millage rate, which the State technically calls a tax increase. In this
scenario, while our millage rate stays unchanged, many properties may experience a decrease
in taxes due to valuation.

2) Adopt what is called the “roll-back” rate, which equates to a reduction of .117 mil and will
create a loss of approximately $600,000 to the City, which if adopted, the City Manager will
have to make cuts, as he sees fit, in order to balance the budget.

Again, for the record and what will be re-emphasized publicly in the coming weeks, is that no
action has been taken by this Council in regards to the millage rate and the adoption of any
millage rate has not occurred.
You will have that opportunity on August 13th.

I hope this provides any clarification that is needed.

Thanks for your cooperation.

Van R. Johnson, II
Mayor
City of Savannah, GA
2 East Bay Street
Savannah, GA 31401
MayorJohnson@savannahga.gov
(912) 651-6444

From:​ Mayor Johnson <VJohnson01@Savannahga.Gov>

Sent:​ Monday, August 3, 2020 8:18 AM
To:​ Estella Edwards Shabazz <EShabazz@Savannahga.Gov>
Cc:​ Pat Monahan <PMonahan@Savannahga.Gov>; Bates Lovett
<BLovett@Savannahga.Gov>; Mark Massey <MMassey@Savannahga.Gov>
Subject:​ Concerning And Erroneous Facebook Post

Alderwoman Shabazz,

The below, which was forwarded to me from your Facebook page, is not indicative of any action
taken by this City Council.

As you are aware from your tenure on Council, adoption of any item can not be accomplished
unless in a publicly noticed and called meeting with the majority of the Council voting for the
adoption of said item.

Your message is not only misleading, but absolutely incorrect since you and the Alderwomen
you mentioned can not adopt a millage rate without a formal vote of Council which has not
occurred and is not scheduled until August 13.

While you will act as you see fit, I wanted to express my concern directly to you.

Van