While Hall County, Buford, and Rest Haven remain at loggerheads over divvying up the revenue such a tax would generate, Winder and Barrow County have come to an agreement that will put a proposed transportation sales tax (T-SPLOST) to a vote in November. (Such a vote involving Hall County, Buford, and Rest Haven was scrapped recently because of the impasse involving the three.)
But, last week, Winder Mayor David Maynard (pictured) was joined by Commission Chairman Pat Graham, Sandy McNab Mayor of Bethlehem, David Brock, Mayor of Carl, and Linda Blechinger, Mayor of Auburn, to sign an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) supporting the Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST) referendum.
According to Mayor Maynard, the signing marks a significant step forward for the city.
“By signing this intergovernmental agreement all together, we are ensuring that the voice of our citizens is heard in the coming November ballot,” he said. “The introduction of a transportation sales tax isn’t merely a financial decision; it’s a commitment to the future and improving the roads, dealing with the issues we call generational. If passed, this will ensure Winder has approximately $18 million dedicated to projects that will improve our city’s transportation infrastructure, keeping us connected, vibrant, and forward-moving for generations to come.”
The IGA allocates the following percentages of the overall revenue generated over a 5-year period:
- 6.43 % Auburn
- 1.27% Bethlehem
- 1.57% Braselton
- 0.55 % Carl
- 3.37 % Statham
- 14.33 % Winder
- 72.49% Barrow County