SPLOST - Best Use?
So far there have been scant voices here in support of continuing the SPLOST tax. The referendum is November, so the commissioners’ 6-month planning window is upon us. Let’s act like there is no opposition. Let’s act like the county voters will approve another 5-year collection of the 1-cent sales tax.
Arguments have largely focused on how the commissioners, over the years, have not acted as citizens wanted. Some say the BoC cannot be trusted with so much more money. I can say from experience that SPLOST 1 was a sham. But SPLOST 2 has not over-spent or over-promised. And now there are four people on the board who believe in doing what they say.
Let’s assume that your favorite person or people were sitting on the board. Just for argument’s sake, wouldn’t you want them to have access to the revenue? There are laws that govern how SPLOST revenue can be spent. The key is having enumerated projects listed on the ballot! It then becomes illegal to spend the money on anything else. It’s that simple to get protections and avoid the pork we all dislike.
Now to today’s question. If YOU made the decisions, what specific projects would you spend $250 million to complete?
YOU are deciding exactly what can be done with the revenue. Open Fire!
Comments
First, I would build a commuter rail from Hampton to Atlanta. Next, I pave roads, so long as they have a population of less than 6 people. After that, I would build park after park after park, after all, everybody wants more of the same. Senior centers are good, let's put one in every city. We have to put one in Fairview also. Theraputic pools at all of those centers while we are at it. Lastly, let's but land before developer's build house on it. Surely a British soldier marched on it some long time ago, so we will call the the Revolutionary battlefield. Jason Harper won't be in office too much longer, I am sure we can throw some money to whatever investments he get involved in once he leaves. Whatever is left over, let's just give it to ARC, it all comes back to us anyway, right?
Posted by: Joshua Patterson | February 27, 2007 05:45 PM
Ummmm, don't impose a SPLOST and let the citizen keep their money.
That is the best possible use.
Posted by: Jason | February 27, 2007 08:54 PM
SPLOST usually gets approval from voters when a lot of money goes towards buying up land for parks. Everybody loves parks. Fortunately I think that many people in GA government are starting to understand this and be open minded.
Posted by: Kyle | February 27, 2007 09:33 PM
I don't like money being dumped on parks when we have more pressing issues. Gary Freedman built Mt. Carmel Park as a monument to himself. I've been there several times and haven't seen another person there. Not to be outdone, BJ Mathis seized the Nash Farm as a monument to herself and managed to take out an $8 million dollar mortgage in the process. I can't tell you if there's anyone attending that park since I'm not willing to go through the hassle of making the required appointment to visit it. What a ripoff.
Posted by: Dutch | February 28, 2007 03:56 PM
The county needs to adopt impact fees too, they could help ease the burdon on those other issues of which you speak.
Posted by: Kyle | March 1, 2007 11:15 PM
Sure, we need to place another tax on the people. SPLOST isn't enough.
Developers don't actually pay impact fees. They are nothing more than a tax on the consumer.
Posted by: Jason | March 1, 2007 11:24 PM
Henry County already imposes impact fees/ But they are haphazard. There are many fine examples across the nation where the fees are based on square footage, type of development, and actual impact to traffic, services, etc.
HC is too busy finding ways to defer or disallow or give credits so their campaign contributors won't have to pay.
Besides, we need $8 million in impact fees to pay for Nash!!
Posted by: SmartyPants | March 2, 2007 11:54 AM