3 days ago
County estimates nearly $700M in capital projects
CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WSAV) – Chatham County officials estimate nearly $700 million dollars in capital projects, and they are hoping a new round of Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds will help cover the cost.
County and city leaders are in the home stretch to make sure SPLOST VIII makes it onto the Nov. 4 ballot. WSAV spoke with commissioner Aaron Whitely about the process.
'Without a special local option sales tax, we would be depending solely on property taxes to fund this,' he said. 'So that's why you'll hear folks such as myself encouraging people to vote for SPLOST because it helps us keep our costs down.:
The county has held several town halls about the funding, and he said top priorities he is hearing from the community is affordable housing, roadway repairs and drainage improvements. Several municipalities are also working together to finalize a list of projects they want to prioritize within this budget.
'So as far as some local projects, areas that are going to see that you'll see I think is Quacco Road and Little Neck Road might be somewhere, stormwater drainage, especially on the westside…' Whitely said.
He continued, 'but from a county perspective, another one of our big focuses is getting our regional athletic facility done as it will serve as an economic stimulus for that area on the south side, as well as another space that is centrally located for recreation.
Whitely also responded to residents who may be skeptical about voting yes in November.
'To my neighbors, you are already currently paying this one penny,' he said. 'All we're asking is to continue it so that we can continue to build our county for the growth that we are experiencing.'
Commissioners will hold a workshop on June 18 at 4:30 p.m. to review the project list.
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