FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) program is expected to generate more than $354 million over six years, funding numerous projects across the county.
But Forsyth County voters will first need to approve the tax program.
SPLOST IX, the next iteration of a program that started in 1987, goes before voters in November.
The penny sales tax could fund projects ranging from road widenings and intersection improvements to park and trail repairs to fire and law enforcement vehicles, facilities and equipment.
Unlike alternative methods of funding improvements, like budget increases and bonds, the SPLOST program receives considerable funding from residents who live outside the county.
In 2023, SPLOST VIII received about 34 percent of its money from sales tax contributed by visitors to Forsyth County.
“Over a third of who's paying for SPLOST is coming from non Forsyth County residents passing through, stopping to buy something …, which makes a big difference,” Russell Brown, county communications director, said. “When you talk about 34% of a six-year tax program such as this, that means that residents are not paying for this in full.”
County officials invited the public to Brandywine Elementary on July 30 to inform residents about projects that could be funded and learn what their priorities are.
Here’s what county officials from various departments had to say.
Transportation
County transportation officials are looking at a number of projects to be funded by the new SPLOST program, including trails, sidewalks and roads.
Improvements and widenings on McGinnis Ferry Road are a high priority, John Cunard, department of engineering director, said.
The road serves as an important east-west corridor, connecting Ga. 400 and Gwinnett County.
Widening of McFarland Parkway has been carried over from previous SPLOST projects. SPLOST IX could provide funding to widen the roadway from four to six lanes from McGinnis Ferry to Ga. 400.
“It's been a long time coming,” Cunard said. “But it takes a while to get these transportation projects on the ground.”
Other potential improvements include:
● Longstreet Church Road
● Elmo Road at Bannister Road
● Hurt Bridge Road at Holbrook Road
● Majors Road at Shiloh Road
● Shady Grove Road at Chattahoochee Road
● A multi-use trail at Jot Em Down Road
● Sidewalks at Kelly Mill Road and Nichols Drive and Christopher Robin Road
● Resurfacing of county roads
Water and sewer
The county needs about 18 million gallons of water each day, and supplying that demand requires major infrastructure.
With SPLOST IX, water and sewer officials hope to contribute about $60 million to a 192-million water intake project. The project would build a second station to pump water from Lake Lanier and a 15,000-foot, 48-inch-wide pipeline to carry it through the county.
The project would improve the current water system’s quality, reliability and resiliency.
It would also allow the county to generate its own water supply instead of purchasing it from other municipalities.
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Parks & Recreation
Parks and trails get a lot of use in the county, and many are in need repairs and renovations, county officials said.
“The Big Creek Greenway has a desperate need for some improvements,” Barry Lucas, assistant county manager, said.
Sections of the greenway have been around for about 10-15 years. Weathering has deteriorated many boardwalk sections because parts of the greenway are located in a floodplain.
The county’s polo fields could also be improved with tax funding.
Parks and other recreational facilities that could receive funding include:
● Sharon Springs Park
● Central Park
● Denmark Park
Fire
Fire department officials hope to fund a new training facility on 35 acres off Martin Road with SPLOST funds.
Currently, the department relies on a now outdated training facility built in the mid-90s, Fire Chief Barry Head said.
“It's outlived its life expectancy,” Head said. “And it doesn't suit our needs anymore. It's very small. It's antiquated.”
The new facility would feature a burn building, training tower, classrooms, a logistics building and motor maintenance shop.
The remainder of SPLOST funds for fire would contribute to replacing aging vehicles.
Law enforcement
Top-notch equipment is essential to keeping down the county’s crime rate, Stacie Miller, sheriff’s office spokeswoman, said.
Vehicle costs are up about 90 percent, she said, making them an important focus for SPLOST funds.
The office also hopes to soon purchase new camera systems, such as body cameras that can be live streamed by supervisors in real time.
A new surveillance system would allow businesses and residents to opt into allowing deputies at a real time crime center to view their exterior cameras when needed.
“If something's happening, let's say my house is getting burglarized,” Miller said. “And they have a home camera, they can tap into that, figure out where the guy is.”
Early voting begins Oct. 15. The last day to register to vote or update your voter information in order to be eligible to vote is Oct. 7.
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