Dear Editor,
The Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) is a one-percent sales tax in Georgia that counties can choose to levy to fund capital projects, such as parks, jail renovation, fire trucks, ambulances, and roads. The revenue generated cannot be used for operating expenses or most maintenance projects. It is usually a no-brainer to approve, as it is a tax that generates a significant amount locally, but it is a small sales tax that is spread out among citizens and visitors, not just property owners, so it is a relatively painless tax.
Last November, SPLOST 10 was voted down, largely due to its connection to a General Obligation (GO) Bond that would have put Putnam County millions of dollars in debt for upfront funds, rather than waiting for years to collect the tax proceeds. As a result, the county will lose several months of tax accumulation for SPLOST 10. The proposal will be on the ballot again this November. Will it pass?
Recently, there have been Board of Commissioners (BOC) meetings to review the projects that SPLOST 10 will fund. While all the proposed projects will benefit Putnam County, road funding was surprisingly omitted. We understand the county has many departments that require funding, but road projects are traditionally significant and a main focus for voters, representing where the “rubber hits the road.”
Dr. Stephen Hersey, the District 3 commissioner, previously proposed adding $3.6 million for muchneeded road projects, which was voted down due to concerns it might require too much funding from the reserve fund (county policy requires covering only two to three months of operating expenses). However, it has since been found that the reserve fund has approximately seven months of operating expenses available.
Dr. Hersey has now requested a special meeting to vote on this addition.
Without funding for road projects, voters may be less likely to approve SPLOST 10, risking further delays in tax accumulation. By including the road funding, SPLOST 10 is more likely to receive overwhelming support. The Putnam County Republican Party (PCRP) Committee voted unanimously to endorse SPLOST 10 and the inclusion of roads project. Hopefully, rational minds will prevail at the BOC.
Sincerely, Dale C. Bills PCRP Chairman