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Chamber-backed group reports outreach ahead of Nov. 4 SPLOST8 referendum
Summary
Citizens for Progress, led by Jim Collins, says early voting has begun and the campaign is promoting a countywide project map and QR-coded materials to inform voters about drainage, road and other projects on the SPLOST8 list.
Jim Collins, an engineer with Thomas and Hutton and chair of Citizens for Progress, told the Chatham County Board of Commissioners that his volunteer campaign has spent the last two months promoting the upcoming SPLOST8 referendum and has focused on outreach to civic and professional groups.
Collins said the campaign began in mid-August, has held a press event at Holt Park and has spoken to roughly 25 civic and professional organizations. “Early voting started October 14 and the actual date of the referendum will be November 4,” Collins said, adding that the campaign has distributed palm cards with a QR code that links to project details.
The campaign’s materials direct voters to a VoteYes website that Collins identified as voteyes+.com and to a county map showing the distribution of projects. Collins said early polling showed drainage was voters’ top concern and that the SPLOST8 list includes numerous drainage projects as well as road projects identified for potential widening or intersection improvements across the county.
Why it matters: The one-cent SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) referendum would authorize projects countywide; public awareness of what is on the ballot affects turnout and voter decisions.
Collins said the project list includes drainage work, education and housing items and named specific road projects discussed in the campaign materials, including Benton Boulevard, Quacco Road, Little Neck Road and a proposed railroad overpass on President Street.
Commissioners commended the volunteer effort. Commissioner Patrick K. Farrell thanked Collins and the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce’s committee for “letting everybody know what’s out there so that the voters are informed.” Commissioner Aaron Whiteley urged residents to consult both the county’s and their municipality’s project lists rather than rely on social media.
The county manager noted that elected officials and county staff cannot legally advocate for the referendum but can provide information; Collins reiterated that the campaign’s outreach is funded by private sources.
Ending: Collins said campaign materials and a map are available online and through printed palm cards with QR codes; he offered to answer further questions from the commission about outreach and project distribution.
