Henry County has nearly $20 million in extra SPLOST money and it’s not certain what will be done with it.
The agenda for the May 19 regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners originally included a proposed resolution regarding the money left over after the six-year period of SPLOST IV collections ended (the county is now in the collection period for the fifth iteration of the sales tax). Officials reported that revenue for SPLOST IV was $19.8 million above the projections which were used to form the project list.
However, it was announced at the beginning of the meeting that the matter would be postponed. The board’s June 2 regular meeting has been cancelled, meaning the next meeting will be June 16. There is no agenda posted yet for that meeting.
By state law there are strict limitations on how SPLOST money can be spent. Typically it is restricted to the specific projects listed on the referendum that must be approved by voters for the tax to take effect.
County staff recommended dividing the pie evenly into six slices of $3.3 million each. One portion would be designated for countywide projects, with the other five going to the respective commission districts.
As for staff project recommendations, all of the countywide money would be used for the fixed base operation at the county’s airport.
District 1 funds would be spent on Peeksville Road improvements and other assorted resurfacing, widening and surface treatment work.
The District 2 recommendation was for the intersection of Mill Road and Mt. Carmel Road along with a portion of Selfridge Road from Speedway Blvd. to the airport entrance and other assorted road work.
Suggested allocations for District 3 included improvements at Heritage Park and various road projects.
Improvements at Moseley Park and on Knight Drive were included among proposed District 4 expenditures with other road work.
The entirety of the District 5 allocation was suggested for the improvement of West Panola Road from Fairview Road to the Clayton County line.
Of course, if or when the issue comes back up, any or all of these proposed line items could be changed according to wishes of the commissioners.
Mr. Roark I commend you for your last line in your article. That is the best description of the BOC I have ever seen or heard.
“By state law there are strict limitations on how SPLOST money can be spent. Typically it is restricted to the specific projects listed on the referendum that must be approved by voters for the tax to take effect.”
The fact that the BOC/Commissioners have already made lists of what they are going to spend the money for with no vote from the taxpayers speaks volumes to how little they care about state law or their taxpaying constituents. Why voters keep re-electing these politicians is beyond all logic and comprehension.
Henry County taxpayers scream about Henry County becoming Clayton County (it’s already on the fast track). Clayton County is run by Democrats (and has been for some time). If you check the history, prior to the Clayton County “going blue” it was successfully ran by Republicans and a desirable county with a strong tax base, low crime, and great schools. It will never return to what it once was (a great place to live) until the political dynamic and agenda changes. Voters should give that some serious thought before they “turn Henry County blue”. Once it happens, the county will deteriorate and be fully absorbed into Clayton. Crime will rise, house values will plummet, the tax base will move away, schools will fail (Clayton County schools lost accreditation), etc. The community will be destroyed and, just like Clayton County, will potentially never recover. Be careful what you wish for…. unfortunately you just might get it.