Politics & Government

Gwinnett SPLOST: Millions at Stake, One Day Left to Decide

Addressing some key issues about the multimillion-dollar issue that is before voters. Add your thoughts.

There's just one day left for Gwinnett County voters to decide on a multimillion dollar financial matter.

Tuesday (Nov. 5) is the only day remaining for Gwinnett voters to decide whether they want to keep paying a 1 percent Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax.

The current tax has been in effect since 2009. And a SPLOST has been in effect in Gwinnett every year but one since 1985.

In simple terms, 1 percent means a Gwinnett consumer pays $5 for every $500 in taxable purchases. Renewing the tax would keep the county's overall sales tax rate at 6 percent. Already, 4 percent is mandated by the state, and 1 percent goes for the Gwinnett E-SPLOST.

In complex terms, the current SPLOST has brought in an average of $11 million monthly since it went into effect, according to the county website. No matter what happens Tuesday, collections for the current SPLOST will continue through March 2014.

So here are some key questions about SPLOST and Tuesday's voting:

  • What's at stake?: Gwinnett officials estimate that the new three-year SPLOST could bring in as much as $498 million. It has been called "critical" by one Gwinnett mayor.
  • What will be done with the money?: Officials with the county and the cities say they will devote most of the funds to transportation-related projects. A link on the county website has a breakdown.
  • Why it might pass: Gwinnett voters have approved a SPLOST every year except one since 1985.
  • Why it might fail: Commission Chairman Charlotte Nash said that this is the toughest economy under which Gwinnett has launched a SPLOST program since it began in the 1980s. "In my 35 years with county government ... I've never seen quite as much of a negative attitude toward government as I'm seeing now," Nash said in June.
  • If it fails, what then?: County leaders would have to wait at least one year before formally calling for another vote.
  • Where can I vote?: Only at county precincts. To find your location, click here.
-- Have you voted for SPLOST? How do you plan to vote? Tell us in the comments below.




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