UNDATED - In special elections held Tuesday, voters in both Rabun and Union counties approved extensions of Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax measures.
In Rabun County, 1,754 voters went to the polls; 59.9% voted to extend the 1-penny SPLOST for five years, while 40.07% voted against the extension.
According to a project provisions handout for the Rabun SPLOST, the cities and county agree to the following SPLOST proceed allocation for the following projects:
The Rabun County portion calls for $9.1 million for water and sewer; $2 million of parks and recreation (including the golf course); $300,000 for solid waste management infrastructure; $200,000 for the senior center; $5 million for roads, streets, and bridges; and $1.5 million for fire protection. That totals $18.1 million.
The City of Dillard would receive $400,000 for water and sewer, fiber optic infrastructure, city hall, and roads and streets.
Sky Valley would receive $350,000 for roads.
Mountain City would receive $500,000 for roads, streets, and bridges; and public safety.
Dillard would receive $450,000 for roads, streets, and bridges; parks and recreation; municipal maintenance building; and water and sewer.
Tallulah Falls would receive $200,000 for water; roads, bridges, and trails; and public safety.
Meanwhile, Union County voters approved a SPLOST extension that will specifically fund education projects.
According to the Union County Elections Office, 1,944 voters cast ballots in the E-SPLOST contest, with 68.52% favoring the extension and 31.48% opposed.
The additional penny on the dollar should raise $21 million over the next five years.
The proceeds would go to the Union County School District for the purpose of acquiring, constructing and equipping new school system facilities, including classroom additions, an agricultural sciences center, a field house, and a multi-use auditorium.
The tax also could be used for adding to, renovating, repairing, improving, or equipping existing school buildings and school system facilities, including athletic facilities; acquiring miscellaneous new equipment, fixtures, and furnishings for the school system, including instructional and administrative technology equipment and safety and security equipment; acquiring school buses, vehicles, and transportation and maintenance equipment; acquiring textbooks and other instructional materials, including band instruments and equipment; acquiring land for school system facilities.
Approval by voters of the tax also would constitute approval of the issuance of general obligation debt of Union County School District in the principal amount of $13.5 million for the purposes listed above and for the purpose of payment of a portion of the interest on that debt.
Saturday
May 11th, 2024
12:04PM
