On June 22, 2023, Savannah City Council approved and passed a resolution entitled: “A Resolution of the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah, Georgia, Authorize the City Manager to Execute the Creation of Savannah’s Waterfront Community Improvement District in Accordance with Section VII, Article IX of the Georgia Constitution; To [sic] All Necessary Acts to Accomplish the Intent of This Resolution; and For Other Purposes” (the “Original Resolution”). On August 24, 2023, Savannah City Council approved and passed an amended and restated resolution entitled: “Amended and Restated Resolution of the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah, Georgia, Amending and Superseding the City of Savannah Resolution Dated June 22, 2023 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Creation of Savannah’s Waterfront Community Improvement District in Accordance with Section VII, Article IX of the Georgia Constitution; To Do All Necessary Acts to Accomplish the Intent of This Resolution; and For Other Purposes” (the “Amended and Restated Resolution”), with the intent and effect of which was to supersede and replace the Original Resolution in its entirety.

Georgia law 1994, p. 4931, as amended by 2023 House Bill 3EX (collectively herein, “Senate Bill 640”), provides for the creation of Community Improvement Districts (CIDs) within the City of Savannah, and sets the terms and conditions under which such CIDs may be created. It allows for certain owners of commercial property on the Savannah River waterfront to form a Community Improvement District, to be named the "Savannah's Waterfront Community Improvement District" ("SWCID"). Community improvement districts are created for the provision of governmental services and facilities, as well as to encourage and promote the improvement and development of a defined geographical area. Additionally, commercial property owners within the CID agree to voluntarily tax themselves to fund governmental services and use a portion of the proceeds to leverage grants from other sources to fulfill its purposes.

Consent forms, district boundaries, and property identification information have been presented to the Chatham County Tax Commissioner setting forth the boundary and specific property membership of the SWCID and the Chatham County Tax Commissioner has certified that the proposed SWCID meets the criteria for creation of a CID under the terms and conditions set forth in Section VII, Article IX of the Georgia Constitution and Senate Bill 640. The creation of the Savannah’s Waterfront Community Improvement District in no way limits the authority of the City of Savannah to provide services within the district and additionally the City remains in complete control over City-owned facilities and properties located within the district. 

The Savannah City Council approves the creation of the SWCID, with the following stipulations:
 

• The Board of Directors shall consist of 7 members.
• 5 members shall be elected by the membership.
• Board members elected by membership shall be Electors, as defined in Senate Bill 640, within the SWCID.
• 2 Members shall directly represent the City of Savannah.
• One will be the City Manager or his designee.
• One will be appointed by Savannah City Council.

The SWCID shall operate in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in Senate Bill 640, as may be amended from time to time.

Approval