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Councilman Fulford urges 1-point SPLOST boost for Gray streets; mayor and chief propose alternatives
Summary
At a July 7 Finance Committee meeting in Gray, Councilman Fulford proposed raising the city’s SPLOST share from 18% to 19% and directing the extra 1% to streets. Officials debated revenue estimates and alternative approaches, including an 80/20 split and a pre-split 4% set-aside for street repairs. No vote was taken.
At a July 7 Finance Committee meeting in Gray, Councilman Fulford urged the city to seek an increase in its share of the 2021 SPLOST from 18% to 19% and to dedicate the additional percentage point to local street work.
The proposal was framed around revenue estimates presented during the meeting. Commissioner John Wood said that at the current 18% level the city’s share of the 2021 SPLOST would equal about $3.9 million and noted that the current projected total for a 2027 SPLOST, if approved, is $25.5 million. Committee members observed that 18% of $25.5 million would be roughly $4.59 million, a figure used to compare possible allocations.
Why it matters: SPLOST (the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) is a major local revenue source for capital projects in Georgia; even a single percentage point in the allocation can change how much the city can spend on street repairs and other capital needs.
Mayor Pro Tem James Collins said he believes the county is treating Gray fairly under the current allocation, signaling some resistance to an immediate push for a larger share. Mayor Ed Barbee said he nevertheless wanted the city to request a higher percentage overall, suggesting an 80/20 split as one possible negotiating position and arguing the city should press the county for more resources.
Police Chief Adam Lowe offered a different approach: he proposed taking 4% from SPLOST funds before the city/county split and using that portion specifically for streets. The committee did not formalize a motion on that suggestion.
Committee members agreed to postpone detailed decisions on how percentages would be allocated across specific city projects; the transcript notes that the “percentages per project within the city will be discussed at a future meeting.” No formal motion or vote on any allocation was recorded in the meeting minutes.
Officials present at the July 7 meeting included Mayor Ed Barbee; Mayor Pro Tem James Collins; Council Members David Tufts and Terry Favors; City Superintendent Cheyenne Morgan; Police Chief Adam Lowe; City Attorney John Newberry; Main Street Director Ashley Roberson; Fire Chief Keith Eisele; and Assistant City Clerk Kayleigh Faircloth. Guest Debbie Lurie-Smith of The Jones County News was also listed in attendance.
Next steps: the committee left project-level percentage allocations for a future meeting and did not adopt any changes to the city’s SPLOST share during the session.
