City leaders clash over funding distribution ahead of referendum

In a recent special meeting, the Mayor and council discussed the ongoing negotiations regarding the distribution of funds from the proposed Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST) in Douglas County. The meeting was prompted by concerns over the lack of communication and late involvement in the TSPLOST discussions, which had left the city of Villa Rica at a disadvantage compared to other municipalities.

During the meeting, it was revealed that Villa Rica had initially been assigned a distribution percentage of 5.04%, consistent with its previous Special Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) allocation. However, following negotiations, this percentage was updated to 5.35% just before the last special meeting. The county attorney had communicated this change, indicating a more favorable distribution for Villa Rica.

Despite this progress, a subsequent email from the county attorney reverted Villa Rica's distribution back to 5.04%, raising concerns among city attorneys about the consistency and clarity of the agreements being made. The Mayor emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that the county intends to finalize the distribution numbers by the upcoming meeting on the 7th, leaving little time for further discussion or negotiation.

The council's decision to convene on short notice reflects the critical nature of the TSPLOST referendum scheduled for November, which could significantly impact local funding for transportation projects. The Mayor urged the council to address these discrepancies promptly to ensure that Villa Rica's interests are adequately represented in the final agreement.