Gwinnett Officials Still at Work on 2014 SPLOST

The initial July deadline for calling for a public vote on a 2014 SPLOST for Gwinnett County will pass, as county officials still are at work on potential projects and money.

Gwinnett Commission Chairman Charlotte Nash said Tuesday (July 16) that there were "a lot of projects" and money involved, and officials are trying to be sure they match.

The current Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax for the county expires in March 2014. Voters must approve the extension of the 1 cent per dollar tax, but can only do so if county officials publicly vote for a referendum.

The commissioners are scheduled to meet twice in August -- on Aug. 6 and Aug. 20.

Nash declined to say Tuesday whether commissioners are leaning toward a three- or five-year tax.

Gwinnett's cities also must vote on whether to be a part of a new SPLOST tax. Currently, only Suwanee has opted in. Duluth will have a called meeting on SPLOST on July 22.

The tax means millions in revenue for both the county and the cities. At a joint city-county meeting on SPLOST in June, Gwinnett officials estimated that a new three-year tax could generate up to $498 million.

Transportation still is expected to be the priority for SPLOST funds, which must be used on capital projects.

See also:

• Gwinnett Wants 2014 SPLOST to Be 70-75% for Transportation