Chatham Area Transit funding dispute moves toward potential resolution

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Thursday, County Commission Chairman Chester Ellis and democratic State Sen. Derrick Mallow met to discuss potential changes to CAT’s governing board.

The meeting comes after Ellis threatened to pull county funding for CAT’s paratransit services over concerns about the transit authority’s restructured board.

The dispute centers on a state law enacted earlier this year that restructured CAT’s oversight board and reduced Chatham County’s representation. Ellis has called the law unconstitutional.

In a letter to Ellis on Thursday, Mallow outlined four areas he says would create “a path forward” for restructuring the CAT board.

The proposed changes include the following:

increasing the county’s representation

adding an additional seat for the city of Savannah

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