The process for a possible vote on the 2017 SPLOST is under way.
The Newton County Board of Commissioners (BOC) heard from attorney Larry Ramsey, Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) expert of Jarrard and Davis, on the steps necessary to conduct a SPLOST election during a work session at the Newton County Historic Courthouse Aug. 2.
The first step, he said, was to set up a meeting with municipalities in Newton County that would be on SPLOST projects. From there, the BOC must enter into an intergovernmental agreement with each municipality on how the funds will be distributed.
In the past, SPLOST funds have been allocated throughout the county according to municipalities’ population. Newton County Chair Keith Ellis told the public how funds from the 2011 SPLOST were distributed, and how they possibly could be for the 2017 SPLOST.
“Last time we split the county share, I was under the impression that it was by percentage,” he said. “The county share was 83 percent of the total [from 2011 SPLOST].”
Ellis said the county used the figure of $900,000 multiplied by 72 months for a total of $64,800,000. Prior to the 2011 election, Ellis said, the county estimated $57,700,000.
“We’ve exceeded that benchmark, and we’ll collect what looks like $62 million,” Ellis said.
2011 SPLOST monies were spent on projects that include:
• Newton County ($18,200,000) for 18 projects, including Newton County Jail Pods, Administrative Building and landfill debt service, renovation and expansion of Judicial Center, upgrades to parks and recreation facilities, contribution to Miracle Field, multi-use community facility in District 4, purchase of land for cemetery, design and renovation of animal control facility and juvenile court program space, renovation of the Historic Jail interior, design and construction of the agricultural facility and Fire Station No. 8, design and expansion of Newton Medical Center emergency room, and fire services equipment and transportation projects
• Covington ($7,466,620) for airport improvements and transportation projects
• Mansfield ($252,630) for transportation projects;
• Newborn ($336,840 ) for transportation projects, recreational projects and facility improvements;
• Oxford ($1,233,050) for water system improvements; and
• Porterdale ($830,000) for recreation projects, historic preservation and transportation projects.
In 2005, projects include:
• Newton County ($51,806,000) for 15 projects including roads, public works mechanic shop, landfill improvements/expansion, future civic center, transportation, county administration complex, Cousins Gym, emergency 800 radio system, data communication system, additional detention center pods, District 4 community center, judicial center parking lot, greenspace/land acquisition, Historic Jail structural and exterior renovation and architectural/engineering/administration for projects;
• Covington ($3,693,000) for transportation;
• Porterdale ($4,192,705) for transportation, restoration of Historic Porterdale Train Depot and Porterdale Gym;
• Newborn ($166,325) for transportation;
• Mansfield ($125,384 ) for transportation; and
• Oxford ($604,910) for maintenance facility, City Hall Annex; fire station renovation and water system improvements
Projects from both SPLOST lists that are not completed in 10 years, sunset and those funds have to go toward paying back debt. That debt, however, is limited to existing general obligation debt, or debt where the county has used its taxing power, according to Ramsey .
As of June 30, 2016 the county has a balance of $32,828,678 in general debt from items in the general fund, fire fund, 2011 SPLOST, impact fees, Cornish Creek fund and Solid Waste fund.
The BOC has yet to come up with any formal projects for 2017, with District 4 Commissioner J.C. Henderson having submitted a list of items. Some of the commissioners have said they want to see SPLOST funds go toward infrastructure and transportation projects.
“I believe very strongly the purpose of this list should be for infrastructure,” District 3 Commissioner Nancy Schulz said. “I would like to see fewer projects on this list, and projects that are fully funded.”
The county, according to Ramsey, has until October to compile a project list for a SPLOST vote in March of 2017.
“Sometime from now until that point in October, at the latest, the county is going to have to come up with a project list of what this board would like to see on a SPLOST referendum,” Ramsey told the board during its work session.
