SPLOST committee named
Five of the seven members of the SPLOST committee have been named:
The SPLOST III oversight committee members are: Richard Reinhardt (District II), Larry Stanley (District III), Phil Crosby (District IV), Thomas Hester (District V) and Mary House, who was appointed by Commission Chairman Jason Harper.A District I appointee will be named in a board meeting on April 3. A seventh member will also be announced by the Henry County Municipal Association. A referendum on SPLOST III is expected on November ballots.
[...]As I understand it, only Commissioner Bowman supports the 80% figure for transportation. I've heard that other commissioners want a much lower number, between 60% and 65%, which is just pathetically low.“I think that it should be split 80-20. Eighty percent should go to transportation projects and 20 percent should be used for parks and recreation, police and fire departments,” said District III committee member Stanley.
The current SPLOST requires 70 percent of the $140 million expected to go toward roads and 30 percent toward capital projects.
But remember this:
Commissioner Stamey added, “we also talked about on the next SPLOST fund, we could put something in there concerning parks and recreation, and maybe we could create a resolution to allow us for an expansion of parks and recreation and use a portion of the SPLOST money to pay off [Nash Farm] early.”I have nothing to confirm that they are actually going to do this, but with Mathis and Harper on the BOC...I wouldn't put it past them.Chairman Harper said he thinks the next SPLOST should have greenspace and park money; he said DeKalb County just developed a SPLOST for that purpose. He said DeKalb is leading the whole State in their Arabia Mountain Project, which is huge with the trail system. “On capital, if we built a new Administration Building today, and in two (2) years pass a SPLOST, we could put on the SPLOST we could retire the debt by putting it on there.
Comments
Oversight is not a very good term.
The committee holds public meetings to solicit input. Email works, too!
The committee's job is to review "technical data" such as projects listed in SPLOST 1 and SPLOST 2 that cannot/ will not be completed before the end of the current 5-year SPLOST term. The BoC typically holds-over listed projects because "priorities change" (that is a quotation from a commish) and money is spent on other things within the same category: transportation, recreation, capital expense like fire stations, etc. It is legal to do this so long as (1) the money is spent within the designated category, and (2) the named project remains on a SPLOST-paid list of pending projects.
There is great latitude for the BoC to move money from Project A to Project B within a category. It is true that priorities may change. It is also true that everybody wants something, and the BoC has final authority. This is where consistent and frequent communication with your commissioner is important.
Another major change in state law allows the BoC to float bonds for the aniticipated SPLOST revenue. That means getting the cash almost immediately, rather than waiting years to actually collect the sales tax.
The appointed committee works for the people of their district. We have the task of collecting and prioritizing desired projects. That list is passed along to the BoC for final decisions.
The ballot we will vote on in November is very important. While it may state that 80% will be dedicated to transporation, the actual allocation to specific projects may not be listed. Whatever is on the ballot forms a contract between the BoC and the voters... the more specific, the better.
Please contact me with any questions, comments or project recommnedations.
Larry Stanley
District 3
lrstanley@charter.net
Posted by: Larry Stanley | March 27, 2007 03:28 PM
Even though there are a couple of good people appointed, I have very little confidence that anything we citizens request will ultimately end up on the list of projects. Besides, the county talks as if this next SPLOST is a done-deal and the citizens will vote it in with open arms for a third time. That greatly concerns me; what do they know that we do not know??
The people chosen for this oversight committee was strategic in nature: It is the hope of the BOC that these appointees do a serious "PR" job for them and convince citizens that this SPLOST is a good idea.
From what I observed in my district, a portion of SPLOST funds was (or will be) used to pave roads that provide access to undeveloped land. We have serious, serious safety issues at numerous intersections with no traffic lights--but that gets passed over for paving dirt roads.
Until the county can account for the missing $10K from SPLOST I, SPLOST III should not be passed. The county will tell you the money was used for specific projects; however, if that is the case, why did they borrow money for those same projects--money they continue to pay back now???
Posted by: Wonder Dog | March 27, 2007 08:26 PM
Oh, yeah: I think the BOC has spent enough for parks lately. Bowman impresses me because he seems to understand where the money is needed most.
There still is not enough transparency in SPLOST spending for my tastes. A trunk monkey can do better at times.
Posted by: Wonder Dog | March 27, 2007 08:31 PM
Wonder Dog, I will go o public record that my integrity comes above PR, especially as it pertains to extending any taxation.
I stated the truth above:
There is great latitude for the BoC to move money from Project A to Project B within a category. It is true that priorities may change. It is also true that everybody wants something, and the BoC has final authority. This is where consistent and frequent communication with your commissioner is important.
I believe this tax extension will pass in the same way the BoE SPLOST passed. Nobody on the blogs or various email lists supported it either. Even with pitifully low voter turnout, it passed 3-to-1.
Look at the reality. When it passes, will citizens get the projects they want? Will "changing priorities" allocate money to pave roads that provide access to undeveloped land?
I once stood outside the castle and threw stones. I am now honored with the opportunity to serve with some really good people. Please take advantage of this committee's efforts to represent the county's needs. Please take advantage of every opportunity to speak with your commissioner about the way you want growth to be managed.
You are correct that transparency in government is lacking. A citizen must be present at every board meeting to know the agenda, the votes and the kinds of policies that are being enacted. Average Joe cannot do that - so we must depend on the elected officials to say what they mean and do what they say.
I was called tonight by an old friend who needed for me to confirm that I had not tasted the Kool-Aid. We talked about citizen committees in which she has been involved and watched the BoC ignore every recommendation. That is a possibility, and it may give the impression that such committees exist for political cover and PR. We have all been frustrated by one goernmental action or other.
Take this to heart: We do not have majority rule. We are ruled by the majority who participate.
When the project list is put together and submitted to the BoC, the committee's work is done. It is the job of every citizen to consistently and continuously voice his desires to his commissioner and the board.
Oh, a sidebar about "the missing $10K from SPLOST 1." $10K hardly scratches the surface of mismanagement in SPLOST 1. Now, can't you honestly say SPLOST 2 was handled much better?
Posted by: Larry Stanley | March 27, 2007 09:12 PM
So you can fully participate:
SPLOST III Oversight Committee
District 1: (Holder: district1@co.henry.ga.us )
TBA April 2nd
District II - (Mathis: district2@co.henry.ga.us )
Richard Rhinehart
173 Farmer Drive
Hampton, GA 30228
770-957-2254
District III – (Stamey: district3@co.henry.ga.us )
Larry Stanley
899 East Lake Road
McDonough, GA 30252
404-425-2361 -- lrstanley@charter.net
District IV - (Bowman: district4@co.henry.ga.us )
Phil Crosby
118 Duval Drive
Stockbridge, GA 30281
770-474-5754
District V - (Basler: district5@co.henry.ga.us )
Thomas Hester
161 Melinda Drive
Stockbridge, GA 30281
678-289-2082 --- tomas@bellsouth.net
Chairman - (Harper: chairmanharper@co.henry.ga.us )
Mary House
145 Somerset Hills
McDonough, GA 30253
770-507-2390 -- mhwhpc@bellsouth.net
The Municipal Association (our cities) will also make an appointment.
Posted by: Larry Stanley | March 27, 2007 09:24 PM
Citizen: Thank you for stating so clearly what should be obvious. I was indoctrinated from an early age that you have no right to complain about what's going on in government if you don't vote. (I'm not suggesting that anyone who posts here does not vote) I've taken it a step further in my own life and decided that I have to take responsibility for informing myself on issues that affect me. That is my charge as a citizen. Those who participate here recognize that...... Would that the other 99.999% would get it as well.
There is already a guide of sorts for projects. The Comprehensive Land Use Draft was written after citize