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Commissioners deny resolution on SPLOST wording; promise broader project review
Summary
Newton County commissioners voted to deny Resolution R120324 after debate about whether it should explicitly list SPLOST projects for all five districts. Commissioners directed staff to prepare a comprehensive SPLOST project update at the second February meeting.
Newton County commissioners voted to deny Resolution R120324 on Jan. 29 after a session of debate about whether the resolution should explicitly commit the board to complete SPLOST projects across all five commission districts.
The denial came after several commissioners and public speakers urged clearer, countywide language. The resolution on the agenda originally referenced projects in a subset of districts; Commissioner Edwards moved to broaden it to “include all SPLOST projects,” but later withdrew that motion after lawyers and colleagues suggested drafting a separate document. Commissioner Long then moved to deny R120324; the motion carried (vote recorded as 5-0).
Why it matters: SPLOST projects are funded by a voter-approved one-cent sales tax and, as county attorney Patrick Jogstetter noted during the meeting, “the SPLOST law requires you to pursue to completion the projects included on the ballot.” Residents and several commissioners said delays have sapped public confidence, especially in District 3, where speakers repeatedly urged faster work on parks and other items.
What the board decided to do next: County Manager (Mr. Cooper) and other commissioners recommended a short-term path forward. The board agreed to have staff produce a comprehensive SPLOST status update at the board’s second February meeting; commissioners said follow-up work sessions could be scheduled for projects deemed stagnant.
Public comment and context: Dennis Taylor, a resident who said he has ties to multiple districts, urged commissioners to act on SPLOST projects so the county will be able to pass future sales-tax referenda. Commissioner Lindsey and others repeatedly emphasized the need to show the public that collected SPLOST funds will fund promised projects.
Votes at a glance (formal board actions taken during the meeting): - Adopt agenda: motion by Commissioner Edwards, second by Commissioner Mason; outcome: approved 5-0. - Resolution R120324 (board resolution regarding SPLOST implementation): motion to deny by Commissioner Long, second by Commissioner Henderson; outcome: denied 5-0. - Consent agenda: approved 5-0. - Juvenile court Byrne/JAG-style grant acceptance (FY25 Byrne State): approved (see separate article) 5-0. - Board appointments (item 11a): motion to approve appointees by Commissioner Edwards, second by Commissioner Long; outcome: approved 4-1 (roll call not recorded in transcript). - Coroner salary supplement (set to $51,000): motion by Commissioner Lindsey, second by Commissioner Edwards; outcome: approved 4-1.
The board’s immediate instruction was to itemize the status of every project that appeared on the most recent SPLOST ballot and return with a written report and timeline. County Attorney Patrick Jogstetter recommended producing a separate, written resolution if the board wants a formal “statement of intent,” rather than trying to modify the resolution already on the agenda.
