Jones County officials discuss renewed local sales tax, aim for November referendum

Jones County officials and city representatives on Tuesday reviewed the timetable, revenue-sharing options and project priorities for a proposed local sales-tax renewal that would not begin collecting until mid-2027 if voters approve it.

Staff outlined the statutory steps and key deadlines and told the group that the current measure was approved by voters in March 2020, took effect in 2021 and expires June 30, 2027. “The current split is 82 county and 18,” a staff member said, referring to the anticipated distribution of proceeds between the county and the city.

The staff presenter said state law requires specified notices and local agreements before a referendum and that, because there will be statewide races on the November ballot (including a Public Service Commission contest), the panel must meet the 90‑day timeline this year. Officials agreed November would be an appropriate target for the referendum and asked staff to compress the schedule so ballot language, intergovernmental agreements and required notices can be completed in time.

Why this matters: collections from the existing sales-tax measure have exceeded earlier projections, staff said, and the fiscal outlook affects whether to include bonding authority in the ballot question and how to prioritize projects. Using recent monthly collection averages and an inflation factor, staff estimated roughly $25.5 million in total receipts over the levy period beginning in 2027; the presenter contrasted that with a prior projection of about $14 million. Staff also warned that if a referendum fails, state law generally requires waiting 12 months before reoffering the measure, which could create a gap between the current measure’s expiration and any renewal.

In the discussion, participants pressed for clarity on three points: whether the ballot should include authority to issue general obligation bonds (staff said bond authority must be spelled out in the notice and intergovernmental agreement), how revenue will be split (the current baseline is 82% county, 18% city), and which projects to list on the ballot. Officials repeatedly urged joint projects — sidewalks, neighborhood parks and shared recreation facilities were mentioned frequently — so both city and county residents would benefit. Several participants said they would return to their bodies with draft project lists and cost estimates.

Staff described two statutory methods for sharing revenues: a negotiated intergovernmental agreement or, absent agreement, a population-based formula. Staff noted that a revenue-sharing agreement can limit the distribution term (commonly five years; an intergovernmental agreement can extend to a sixth year). The presenter also said the elections superintendent will publish a notice that runs for four weeks before the election once the call is issued.

Participants flagged operational and delivery questions that will need resolution before any projects begin: which jurisdiction would operate and maintain new parks or recreation facilities built with shared proceeds; whether the jurisdictions should bond some amount now to lock in current prices versus waiting and risking higher construction costs; and coordination with the school system and the Georgia Department of Transportation on shared projects. Staff recommended modeling bond interest versus expected inflation in materials and labor to inform the bonding decision.

The group set near-term next steps: jurisdictions will assemble project lists and cost estimates; staff will prepare draft ballot language and intergovernmental agreement templates that include any requested bond authority; and the committee agreed to meet again in mid-July (members discussed dates, including the 14th). Officials also discussed outreach and education plans to explain the renewal and the proposed uses of revenue to residents.

The meeting closed with participants encouraging joint project proposals (sidewalks, neighborhood parks and shared recreation sites were singled out) and asking staff to return with clearer figures and draft documents for the next meeting.