SPLOST debate centers on water infrastructure as commissioners approve IGA for May referendum
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Summary
After extended debate about allocations, the board consented to place a SPLOST intergovernmental agreement—allocating $1.9M each to the Industrial Development Authority and the Water & Sewer Authority—on the May 19 referendum call; commissioners debated raising the water allocation but ultimately moved forward to let voters decide.
The Dade County Board of Commissioners spent a substantial portion of its Feb. 5 meeting debating how much of a proposed Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) to allocate to the county's water authority versus economic development.
Chair presented an intergovernmental agreement that would split proposed collections (based on a $23 million projection) among the county, the city of Trenton, the Industrial Development Authority (IDA) and the Water & Sewer Authority. The draft IGA proposed $1,900,000 to the IDA and $1,900,000 to the water authority.
Commissioner Hartline urged a larger allocation to the water authority, saying the county faces aging lines, failing pumps and project needs that can run well into the millions. "We need to turn our focus on the water authority and getting infrastructure," he said, proposing $2.5 million for water and a reduced share for the IDA.
IDA representative Evan and water authority members said both entities are pursuing grants and that projects typically require specific grant matches and long administrative processes. Evan told the commission the IDA sought $1.9 million to preserve the prior buying power of a $1.2 million allocation from earlier SPLOST cycles and to support industrial recruitment efforts; he cited recent industrial investment and requests for site readiness.
County staff and commissioners discussed safeguards in the IGA — including bond language and the fact that the IGA and allocations only take effect if voters approve the referendum. Staff also noted that if total collections exceed assumptions the county will allocate additional proceeds according to the agreed percentage schedule.
After discussion and requests for additional communication from the water authority and IDA about project progress, Commissioner Hartline agreed to proceed with the proposed $1.9M allocations and place the IGA on the consent agenda for formal action; the commissioner later voted to approve the consent agenda, which included calling a May 19 referendum. The commission emphasized that specific project values and spending details would be developed during the year between the referendum and collections if voters approve.
Both the IDA and the Water & Sewer Authority had previously voted to approve the IGA as presented, and the city planned to consider it at an upcoming meeting.