March SPLOST referendum approved
Commissioners voted to move forward with a call for a called SPLOST referendum on March 15 at their Wednesday, Dec. 8, meeting.
“I have drafted a resolution based on a motion to move forward with a proposed SPLOST for improvements to the courthouse, streets and bridges,” said county attorney Rob Morton. “A 1% sales tax not to exceed five years will raise an estimated $5 million.”
Morton reminded commissioners notices have to be sent out prior to Dec. 12 to hold the special election and they had to make a decision immediately. Commissioners also approved an option for citizens to vote on which would authorize a general obligation debt of no more than $2.4 million to allow the courthouse project to begin prior to revenue being collected.
“If approved, the general obligation debt would be incurred as of August 2011 with a first payment beginning Sept. 15 to make sure the money is coming in,” Morton said.
For more on this story, read the Dec. 15 print/e-edition of the Pike County Journal Reporter.
To subscribe, click here.
Morton reminded commissioners notices have to be sent out prior to Dec. 12 to hold the special election and they had to make a decision immediately. Commissioners also approved an option for citizens to vote on which would authorize a general obligation debt of no more than $2.4 million to allow the courthouse project to begin prior to revenue being collected.
“If approved, the general obligation debt would be incurred as of August 2011 with a first payment beginning Sept. 15 to make sure the money is coming in,” Morton said.
For more on this story, read the Dec. 15 print/e-edition of the Pike County Journal Reporter.
To subscribe, click here.
When are these county officials going to get it. They give us a choice. Either vote for splost or we are going to raise your property taxes.
Hey here is an idea how about cutting from the school budget. If all they need is 86K they can get that from getting rid of, oh lets say, the sports department.
Or how about some good old fashion fund raising and get the community involved. Oh that's right we can not do that its too much effort. It is easier just to apply good old scare tactics and increase taxes. We have to "spread" the pain around.
I am getting really sick of hearing about how we need to renovate the court house or build a new building and repair roads. Honestly except on rare occasions when have you seen the court house over filled with people during the work week. Everyone there has a desk, chair, table, and computers and can do their jobs just fine.
I am sorry you all but if all of us have to live within our means and go without then so does our local government. If we do not have the funds for all of these "plans" then we should go without and if needed start making cuts. Anyone with half a brain can see the economy is going down the tank and will continue to do so. Now is not the time to be taking on more debt and taking money from our pockets. Just the opposite is true we should be cutting and down sizing. And yes that includes the school, fire, and police. Nothing should be excluded.
If these commissioners cant make the tough decisions about cutting programs and yes even jobs from the various county budgets then we need to vote the right people in that will get the job done. Man up people and start using common sense and get off the tax and spend band wagon.
Awn