SPLOST VIII

Copied from the Gainesville Times October 12 article by Shannon Casas, Editor in Chief

A sales tax first approved in 1985 and renewed six times is on the ballot Nov. 5 and could be used to fund capital projects for Hall County and its cities.

The Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax VIII is projected to bring in about $217 million between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2026. The money collected would be divided based on populations as of July 1, 2017 census numbers. 

It is a sales tax of 1%, or a penny on the dollar, that must be used to pay for capital projects, not regular operations. 

The countywide vote on SPLOST starts Monday, Oct. 14. Early voting will run, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday until Nov. 1 at the Hall County Government Center, 2875 Browns Bridge Road, in Gainesville. Voters can also go to their regular polling place on Nov. 5.

SPLOST law was enacted statewide in 1985. Hall County’s SPLOST I was approved by 53% of voters in July of that year, and the first SPLOST, which lasted two and a half years, generated $25 million for road, street and bridge improvements. Seven rounds of the tax have been approved by local voters since then, with support growing over the years. SPLOST VII was approved by 63% of voters in 2015.

SPLOST has paid for about $671 million in county and city projects since 1985. Investments over the years include the Hall County Government Center, new public safety vehicles, parks and community centers, libraries and several road projects.

If approved by voters, here’s how the governments would spend the money.

Hall County

Total: Estimated $126,315,093

The county has allocated $35,871,920 for Tier II countywide projects, which include an expansion of the fire training center, a new library in East Hall and a new cell at the Hall County Landfill.

$73.6 million: Road improvements including the Sardis connector running from West Hall to North Hall, along with widening of Spout Springs Road in South Hall

$7 million: Fire services

$7 million: Trails and green space

$6 million: Parks

$6 million: Public safety, including the Hall County Sheriff’s Office

Flowery Branch

Total: Estimated $6,792,614

$5.7 million: Roads and infrastructure, including improvements at Exit 12, where the Georgia Department of Transportation is planning to widen Interstate 985

$383,384: Public works property and equipment

$415,000: Parks

$276,000: Public safety/police

If you have questions on Flowery Branch SPLOST projects please contact Flowery Branch City Manager Bill