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Cherokee county transportation tax IGA approved by Woodstock council, sending measure to voters
Summary
Woodstock council approved an intergovernmental agreement to join Cherokee County's proposed transportation special-purpose local-option sales tax (T-SPLOST) as a six-year, one-cent program; the agreement sets the city's share of receipts and a project budget drawn from the city's adopted transportation plan and sends the measure to the November
The Woodstock City Council on Aug. 25 approved an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) allowing Cherokee County to place a countywide transportation special-purpose local-option sales tax (T-SPLOST) on the Nov. 4 ballot as a six-year, full-penny program; the vote does not itself levy the tax but sets the terms for the city's participation and the distribution of proceeds if the measure passes.
Under the IGA's distribution model, Woodstock (projected population 45,063 in 2027 for allocation purposes) would receive 14.7452% of the countywide T-SPLOST proceeds. Using the county's forecast (a six-year, full-penny program and a 2% growth rate), the city's share was projected in the packet at roughly $65.6 million over the life of the program. The IGA ties those funds to a broad project budget drawn from the transportation plan the council recently adopted.
Key items and the city's priorities - Fund categories proposed in the city exhibit include maintenance and resurfacing ($2 million), sidewalk extensions ($2 million), two pedestrian projects (Noonday Creek trailhead and a pedestrian plaza/match for a federal grant), intersection improvements and new-road connections including a Haney Road extension, Lincoln Street extension, and the Reeves-to-Mill connection. Some large corridor projects and roundabout work are shown as shared projects with the county or neighboring municipalities. - The city would also use T-SPLOST proceeds as match dollars where federal or state grants can be applied (the agenda packet specifically references grant matching for a pedestrian plaza and other improvements).
Why it matters: approval of the IGA enables the county to present a single, coordinated ballot question that includes city project priorities and the revenue-sharing formula. If voters approve the tax, the city would receive a multi-year revenue stream for roadwork, sidewalks and intersection projects that staff says would speed up residential resurfacing and help complete previously adopted grid-street and trail plans.
Voices and process notes - Mr. Moon (city staff) explained the IGA and the project categories and said the IGA follows the distribution and formulas used in the 2021 SPLOST negotiations; he emphasized the IGA is the vehicle to send the question to voters and that the county could move forward without city approval but that the IGA makes the city's priorities explicit. - Council members thanked staff and county partners for collaborative work on project lists and noted the city's transportation plan provided the foundation for the exhibit. The IGA was approved 3-0; the county plans a final vote Sept. 2 to place the measure on the Nov. 4 ballot.
Next steps The county will consider its resolution; if approved by the county and placed on the Nov. 4 ballot, collection would begin April 1, 2026, if voters approve. The city will use its project budget as a working guide and will adjust allocations if grant funding or other offsets materialize.
