Important Update on the Fire Protection Fee and Public Safety Funding
Dear Community Member,
Ensuring the safety and protection of all residents and property is the City of Richmond Hill’s highest priority. As part of the fastest-growing county in Georgia—and one of the fastest-growing in the nation—our population has nearly doubled in recent years. This rapid expansion created an immediate need for robust public safety infrastructure capable of providing comprehensive fire protection for every home and place of business in our city.
To meet this demand during a period of record growth, the City established a dedicated "Fire Protection Fee." By law, every dollar collected from this fee was restricted solely to the Richmond Hill Fire Department. This funding ensured our department had the personnel and equipment necessary to maintain the highest standards of safety, protecting the lives and property of our entire community.
However, municipal funding models like our fire protection fee are currently being re-evaluated across Georgia and the United States. While our previous system utilized a combination of flat rates and property-type assessments, recent legal challenges have argued that these "fees" should be classified as "taxes."
To align with this shift toward more modern and transparent governance, the City has reached a settlement in the case of Joshua Lanier v. City of Richmond Hill. By resolving this matter now, we are choosing to move forward and focus on finding a more equitable and sustainable way to fund the essential fire services that protect us all.
What this means for you:
As part of this settlement, the City will provide refunds to eligible property owners who paid Fire Fees between November 7, 2018, and the date of final court approval.
- Current Property Owners: If you still own the property for which the fee was paid, no action is required. Your refund will be processed automatically after the Court grants final approval.
- Former Property Owners: If you no longer own the property, you will need to submit a Claim Formonce the settlement is finalized.
The Road Ahead:
This resolution allows us to pivot toward a funding model that reflects our community's modern needs while ensuring the cost of safety is shared fairly. We look forward to communicating more information about our new funding strategies and the road ahead in 2026.
A final approval hearing is scheduled for January 6, 2026. Please visit www.richmondhill-ga.gov/gov-legal for detailed information or call the Claims Administrator at (800) 345-0837.
Thank you for your partnership as we work to build a safer, more equitable Richmond Hill.
Sincerely,
The City of Richmond Hill
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