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Marietta council hears SPLOST surplus, schedules Tier 1 projects and summer construction
Summary
City staff told the Marietta City Council during its agenda review that the current SPLOST program is projecting a multi‑million dollar surplus and that Tier 1 transportation projects, including utility work at Polk and Winn and intersection improvements at Burnt Hickory and Polk, will move to construction next summer.
City of Marietta staff told the City Council at the Aug. 13 agenda review that the current Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) program is projecting a multimillion‑dollar surplus and that Tier 1 transportation projects will proceed to construction next summer.
Finance staff reported on the SPLOST balance and projections, and public works staff outlined timing for two intersection projects and associated utility work.
Mark, a staff member who briefed the council, said the city was “about $24,000,000 above expenditures right now” and that, if projections hold, the city could “maintain that $30,000,000 to $40,000,000 buffer” compared with the adopted budgets. He said the city had started design work on major projects but had not yet begun most construction.
Public works staff reported that the Burnt Hickory and Polk & Winn intersection projects will require major utility relocations next summer, including burying overhead lines and significant utility work before roadway construction can begin. The Polk & Winn project will include utility relocations and an adjusted roundabout design to improve school bus turning movements and sight lines near a cemetery, staff said.
Council members and staff discussed the SPLOST project staging: Tier 1 projects must be completed or under way before the city considers moving to Tier 2. Staff said a list of approved Tier 2 projects would be circulated to councilmembers the following day.
Staff also said Whitlock Drive plans are being finalized and should be advertised for bid within 30 to 45 days, and that stormwater improvements on Vance Circle—curbing, guttering, and other work—are ready to start and intended to address longstanding drainage complaints.
Staff asked councilmembers to expect traffic disruption next summer while utility and construction work is under way.
The council did not take a separate formal vote on any of these project descriptions during the agenda review; the items remain subject to future committee meetings, contract awards and formal ordinances or resolutions as needed.
