HALL CO. NEWS RELEASE:
“The Hall County Board of Elections (has) officially called for the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) referendum to be placed on the Nov. 4 election ballot. (The county commission recently voted unanimously to hold the referendum.)”
“Hall County voters will have an opportunity to vote on the SPLOST IX program ballot question in November, which would continue the 1% sales tax program that has been in place for Hall County for the past 40 years,” Director of Hall County Elections Lori Wurtz said.
SPLOST is an optional 1% sales tax used to fund capital outlay projects. It is estimated that 30 to 40% of SPLOST dollars raised in Hall County come from out-of-county residents, ultimately contributing to the County and its municipalities’ infrastructure projects without placing the burden solely on property owners through property taxes.
The SPLOST program has generated approximately $1 billion in revenue since its implementation in 1985. The SPLOST IX program, which would remain active for six years if passed by Hall County voters, is estimated to generate approximately $440 million and would contribute funding for several notable projects, including:
The new South Hall Park and Active Life Center planned along Spout Springs Road, Sardis Creek Park, Healan’s-Head’s Mill and other improvement and restoration projects throughout the Hall County’s park system
Extension of the Highlands to Islands Trail System
Construction of the Spout Springs Road Widening Project, Phase II
Intersection improvements, specifically along McEver, Mount Vernon and Joe Chandler roads
Road resurfacing throughout the County
The judicial complex expansion
A new Hall County Sheriff’s Office Training Center, along with vehicle replacements and equipment
The relocation and/or construction of a new fire station, along with ambulance replacements and upgrades to the 911 system
The allocation of $95 million to the nine municipalities in Hall County, based on population density
The next step in the process if for the Hall County Board of Elections to publish the call for the SPLOST IX referendum. A Notice of Election will also be published in October.
For more information on Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, visit www.hallcounty.org/398/SPLOST or email questions to [email protected].”