Columbus’ $400 million sales tax vote is about a month away. Tell us what you think of it
In less than a month, Columbus voters will decide if they’ll approve a 1% special-purpose local-option sales tax, or SPLOST.
We want you to tell us what you think about the referendum before the Nov. 2 vote.
If approved, the tax would begin April 1, 2022 and collect $400 million over a period of roughly ten years. The biggest ticket item on the slate of projects is a roughly $200 million judicial complex to replace the Government Center, but the tax would fund other projects. There are public safety expenses to make, roads to fix, parks to improve and pools to repair.
The sales tax rate would be 9% for 9 months if voters pass the SPLOST. The regional Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST) expires in December 2022. The rate would remain at 9% if voters renew the TSPLOST.
The 9% rate would be the highest in city history and among the highest in Georgia. As of Oct. 1, no Georgia county pays a sales tax rate greater than 8.9%, according to the Georgia Department of Revenue.
Early voting will take place at the City Service Center on Macon Road from Oct. 12-29. The last day to request an absentee ballot is Oct. 22. One ballot collection drop box will be located inside the City Service Center and will only be open during hours of early voting.
The hours for early voting are:
- Oct. 12-15: 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Oct. 16: 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
- Oct. 18-22: 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Oct. 23-24: 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
- Oct. 25-29: 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
This story was originally published October 11, 2021 at 11:30 AM.