SPLOST VI QUESTION OF THE DAY:
Q: What happens if by some chance the SPLOST VI is not passed?
A: It would be a year until it could be brought before the voters again. Since the current SPLOST V expires in July of 2008 and the next opportunity to pass a continuation of the SPLOST would not be until February of 2009, that would mean a revenue loss of about $17,500,000.00 for Forsyth County. Accordingly, most projects would obviously be delayed or not started at all. Some might simply be canceled. Basic critical projects like safety improvements, resurfacing, etc. would still need to be done, so the shortfall would likely have to be recouped from other revenue streams within the tax digest. This could require a near-term property tax increase.
In addition, Forsyth County voters would be sending a clear message to the Georgia State DOT that road improvements are not a critical priority within Forsyth County. This might result in major setbacks or delays to desperately-needed state road improvements – some of which have a shared cost component from the Forsyth County SPLOST VI revenue. Almost all road projects take multiple years to complete. We simply can’t afford any further delays in improving our roads and our traffic flow.
Side-note: Since early 2009 is not a regular election year, the taxpayers of Forsyth County would have to pay for an entire election and voting process to address only one issue. Let’s keep moving forward – VOTE YES ON FEBRUARY 5TH!
FACT: SPLOST VI revenue funds specific, pre-identified projects
On January 3rd, the Commissioners voted to accept the transportation projects suggested by the Citizens Selection Committee, and these projects became part of the public record that day. Since then, all 3 newspapers in Forsyth – The AJC, The Forsyth County News, and the Forsyth Herald, have published these projects.
