T-SPLOST

The Heart of Georgia Region includes Appling, Wayne, Jeff Davis, Telfair, Dodge, Wilcox, Bleckley, Laurens, Wheeler, Montgomery, Toombs, Tattnall, Evans, Candler, Treutlen, Emanuel and Johnson Counties. It is estimated that the one percent tax on sales and use would produce approximately $300 million for road improvement projects in the Heart of Georgia Regional Commission area. Included on the July 31 ballot is a special referendum question that asks voters, “Shall Appling County’s transportation system and the transportation network in the region and the state be improved by providing for a 1 percent special district transportation sales and use tax for the purpose of transportation projects and programs for a period of ten years?” You can answer the question “yes” or “no”.

So how would Appling County benefit from the sales tax? The final list of road projects that would be performed in Appling County would include some 53 projects. These 53 projects would equate to roughly $7.3 million in road improvements in the community. In addition, the county would also receive $5,000,000.00 to go toward the Altamaha River Bridge replacement on U.S. Highway 1 North. And finally the community would receive another approximate $7,000,000.00 to use at its discretion. The total monetary gain for the community would be roughly $19.3 million over the next ten years.

Opponents to the measure have stated that citizens are being taxed to the max already and that an additional penny on every dollar spent will create more of a burden on taxpayers. Proponents to the measure believe that a sales tax is the fairest form of taxation, in that everyone pays their fair share including people that may not pay property or income taxes.

In a recent conversation with State Senator Tommie Williams, he stated that voters need to look at the list of T-SPLOST projects for each community and make a decision based upon the list presented. Williams stated that Georgia has some of the best roadways in the country, but added that some roads are beginning to need some real attention. The senator also commented that the state just does not have the proper funding to address all the needs across the state, as most of the transportation funding in the state comes from a state fuel tax charged on a per gallon basis, which has decreased as automobiles have become more fuel efficient.

Appling County currently has two local option sales taxes, one for community projects and one for education. Our current sales and use tax rate is seven percent. If the special referendum passes our rate would go to eight percent.
I do believe that sales and use taxation is the fairest form of taxation. However, we can’t continue to tax ourselves into oblivion. The federal government and state have got to find ways to reduce the size of government, only then we will see real changes. One positive in my personal opinion about T-SPLOST would be that it would bring needed economic growth to our area and state.

If I am saying anything, I believe I agree with Senator Williams. Take a look at the list of potential projects in Appling County. If you believe this tax will be of benefit, vote “yes”. If you believe we are being taxed enough already, vote “no”.

Please see the project list in the print edition for local projects.

-Jamie Gardner