Election Day is here, Columbus. What you need to know about $400 million sales tax vote
All of Columbus’ 25 neighborhood voting precincts will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday for the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax vote.
The SPLOST measure is the only item on the ballot. Residents unsure of their polling place can check it through the Georgia Secretary of State’s “My Voter Page” at www.mvp.sos.ga.gov or call the local elections office at 706-653-4392.
Here’s what you need to know about the projects and voting process before heading to the polls.
Here’s what the SPLOST would fund
The SPLOST, if passed, would collect $400 million over a roughly 10-year period beginning April 1, 2022.
- Approximately $200 million for a judicial center. It will be a roughly 310,000 square foot space for Superior, State, Juvenile, Municipal/Magistrate, Probate, and Juvenile Courts. It includes all court related space for the judges and clerks of each court, sheriff, district attorney, public defender, accountability courts and other court-related functions. That price tag also includes a 500-600 space parking facility.
- $20 million for road resurfacing, traffic signal installation, widening and resurfacing roads and streets to include alternative transportation.
- $5 million for trails and sidewalks project to expand and/or replace existing network.
- $20 million for improvements to surface water drainage for roads, streets, bridges, sidewalks, or multi-purpose paths that have been damaged, are creating damage or are subject to localized flooding. Systems would be repaired or replaced.
- $48 million for parks and recreation projects. Items include the renovation/replacement of three swimming pools with pools and/or splash pads. Improvements to Flat Rock Park, Carver Park, Cooper Creek Park, Benning Park, Lakebottom Park, Theo McGee Park and the Woodruff Farm Soccer Complex. Mini-splash pads installed at South Commons/Civic Center, Carver Park, Liberty District, City Service Center and two additional locations to be determined. Improvements to existing parks including restrooms, pavilions, facilities and other recreational opportunities.
- $5 million for the replacement of the Bull Creek Golf Course Clubhouse and bridge as well as renovations of the Oxbow Creek Golf Course and replacement of the bridge.
- $44 million for public safety projects. Those include new vehicles and equipment for police, fire, emergency medical service and sheriff’s departments. One fire station will be replaced, and three will be restored. The public safety building and other public safety equipment and vehicles will also be renovated.
- $14 million for general government vehicles and equipment projects. This includes upgrading vehicles and equipment such as tractors, trailers, dump trucks, asphalt trucks, mowers, bucket trucks, service vehicles, passenger vans and other vehicles and equipment
- $5 million to purchase or upgrade technology, including personal computers, servers, software, and other technology enhancements.
- $5 million to improve the parking facility at the Columbus Ironworks Convention and Trade Center, providing approximately 500 spaces.
- $5 million for roof replacement, sound system replacement, LED display system, video scoreboard and other improvements at the Columbus Civic Center
- $9 million for Economic Development. Projects include the acquisition, site preparation and infrastructure necessary for the Muscogee Technology Park and other locations for new and expanding industries to supply jobs to the Columbus area.
What does this mean for me?
The current sales tax rate in Columbus is 8%. If approved, the SPLOST would begin on April 1, 2022, and the sales tax rate would be 9% for 9 months. 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 among the highest in Georgia, said Columbus Mayor Skip Henderson.
This story was originally published October 1, 2021 at 2:19 PM.