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Commissioners say June–July critical for T-SPLOST referendum planning; staff to coordinate with cities
Summary
Commissioners discussed timing and next steps for a potential transportation special-purpose local-option sales tax (T-SPLOST) referendum for November, citing a one-year ACCG timeline and the need for intergovernmental agreements and a joint project list with cities during June and July.
Commissioner discussion on June 3 focused on whether Cherokee County should place a transportation special-purpose local-option sales tax (T-SPLOST) referendum on the November ballot and the tight timeline for doing so.
Commissioner Carter reported that the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) timeline for a county-wide T-SPLOST requires roughly a year and that Cherokee County is already about six months into that timeline. He said the county needs a county-and-city project list, joint meetings between city and county elected officials, and intergovernmental agreements (IGAs) prepared by July if the county is to move forward for a November referendum. Staff told commissioners they had prepared model rates, including 0.5 percent and 1.0 percent options, to inform the discussion.
Commissioners acknowledged practical and political constraints. One commissioner noted that even a half-percent tax is an additional levy that will likely encounter public resistance, and several urged rapid follow-through so that IGAs and project lists can be finalized. No formal action to call a referendum was taken at the June 3 work session; commissioners instructed staff to keep the topic on future agendas and continue coordination with municipal partners.
Commissioners discussed outreach to cities and said staff will continue developing project lists and schedule joint meetings to align city and county priorities. Staff did not present final project lists or an agreed funding rate at the June 3 work session; those items will be developed in June and July if the board decides to proceed.
