Dear Editor,
Your article “SPLOST 10 on trial, unfairly?” (in the Oct 11, 2024 edition) is fascinating. I agree with your assessment that it is, indeed, controversial.
I have a couple of observations. Once again, the chairman has stated that 65% of sales taxes were “paid by out-of-towners passing through the county.”
This assertion has prompted citizens to ask for proof of where this percentage came from, but no one has been forthcoming. Since the commissioners would not or could not provide evidence, we took it upon ourselves to investigate.
We have contacted the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG), of which every county in Georgia is a member, the Middle Georgia Regional Commission, and the Chamber of Commerce, with all denying the knowledge, possession, or record of any such study regarding sales tax percentage paid by out-of-towners.
For the sake of argument, let’s say a study does somehow exist, but when was it conducted, and what were its parameters? Wouldn’t that be germane to the argument?
Also, for your math whizzes out there, tell me how every county in Georgia can have 65% of their sales taxes paid by out-of-owners. I think that is a mathematical impossibility.
Second observation. The chairman is quoted as saying to the effect that rejection of SPLOST #10 would be “disastrous” for the county since it is paying for the county jail renovation, which is estimated to cost somewhere near $10 million. I beg to differ with that assertion.
By their own admission, presented in this same article, the county has over-collected on SPLOST #9 by at least $10 million. Using this $10 million over-collection from SPLOST #9, they could renovate the jail without needing revenue from the upcoming SPLOST #10. If the commissioners have other plans for this $10M SPLOST #9 over-collection, I am sure the public would be interested.
Also, in the article, the chairman and county manager “stressed they were not attempting to tell citizens how to vote.” But isn’t using such pejorative phrases as “disastrous to the county if rejected” tantamount to advocating for passage?
Billy Webster, Putnam County