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Cherokee County commissioners signal support for 1¢ T‑SPLOST as cities press for a full penny
Summary
Cherokee County commissioners on July 1 discussed whether to place a transportation sales‑tax referendum on a future ballot and signaled support for the cities’ preference of a full 1¢ T‑SPLOST while continuing to pursue a separate HOST legislative change.
Cherokee County commissioners discussed whether to pursue a local transportation sales tax (T‑SPLOST) during a July 1 work session, with the cities in the study area favoring a full 1¢ sales tax and some commissioners initially preferring a 0.5¢ option.
Chairman John Johnson and commissioners spent extended time weighing the tradeoffs between asking voters for a 0.5 percent or a full 1 percent sales tax dedicated to transportation projects. Johnson said cities had pushed for the full penny and that municipalities likely would be the major proponents in the upcoming election. "The city folks all strongly propose a full percent," he said.
Commissioner Ragsdale and Commissioner Carter said a half‑cent had merit, in part because it is a smaller new tax burden, but both also noted practical concerns: a half‑cent would start projects but might leave many unfinished if the revenue proved insufficient or if voters declined renewal. Commissioner Carter said additional revenues from a full penny would allow completion of larger projects rather than starting many unfinished efforts.
County staff and commissioners discussed timing relative to other planned tax measures: the county must consider school SPLOST and county SPLOST renewals in upcoming years and the possibility of pursuing a HOST (Homestead Option Sales Tax) change at the state level that could shift some tax burden off property owners. Commissioners agreed to continue pursuing the HOST legislative change with their state delegation while moving forward on T‑SPLOST planning.
Several commissioners said city leaders will likely carry the public outreach and that success will rely on city participation. After debate, a majority of commissioners signaled willingness to proceed with the cities’ preference for a full 1¢ T‑SPLOST; a formal vote or intergovernmental agreement will be required later. Commissioner Carter summarized that the cities and county appear aligned and said he was "willing" to go to a full penny. Commissioner Wetherbee noted the timeline and that some near‑term projects could be advanced even without the full program.
Ending: Commissioners did not take a formal vote at the work session but indicated a working consensus to pursue the full 1¢ T‑SPLOST with the cities and to continue seeking HOST changes at the legislative level so homeowners could receive property tax relief in the longer term.
