County and Cities Discuss SPLOST Projects

The Rabun County Commission met with the local municipalities yesterday to discuss a project list for SPLOST.

Ken Jarrard, an expert on the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, gave an outline on how the SPLOST works.

Jarrard said that the SPLOST has to be approved by voters, and that the tax can only go to capital projects outlined in the SPLOST proposal citizens vote upon.

He also explained how the county and cities can work together through an Intergovernmental Agreement.

“One of the advantages of having an Intergovernmental Agreement is that the SPLOST gets to run for six years as opposed to five,” said Jarrard. “The General Assembly did that on purpose, to try to incentivize counties and cities to work together.”

In order for an IGA to take place, the county and enough municipalities to make up 50 percent plus one of the total population of the municipalities have to reach an agreement.

After SPLOST was explained, a representative from each of the municipalities within the county outlined projects they would like included in the SPLOST proposal should an IGA be reached.

Jim Martindale, Mayor of Sky Valley, said they are looking a sewer project, as well as looking for road improvement.

Carl Seaman, representing Tallulah Falls, said they are looking at roads that are in need of repair, as well as looking at water.

Grace Watts, the Mayor of Mountain City, said they are in need of repairs for roads and culverts.

Bill Robinson, Mayor of Dillard, said they are looking at improving the city water, as well as looking at fiber for the multiple businesses in Dillard.

Tom Ramey Jr., Mayor of Tiger, said they are looking at trying to build a maintenance facility for their equipment, as well as redoing narrow streets.

Finally, Mayor David Phillips of Clayton said that they are looking at road improvements, as well as the continuing project at city hall.

Just because they were presented, the projects are not guaranteed to be part of the SPLOST proposal. A project list will be established in the future should the county and the municipalities reach an Intergovernmental Agreement.