GAINESVILLE - The Hall County Board of Elections Wednesday released the wording that will be on the ballot next month for the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) referendum. In addition, plans for a series of presentations dealing with the referendum were also announced.<br />
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There are several parts to the question that will be put to voters March 17, detailing how each local governmental entity in the county will use the funds it is entitled to should the sales tax extension pass.<br />
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Over the past several months, the county commission and the city/town councils in the county have been putting together their separate "projects lists" for the referendum.<br />
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The document released Wednesday by the Board of Elections reads as follows:<br />
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"Shall a special one percent (1%) sales and use tax be imposed in Hall County for a period of time not to exceed twenty (20) calendar quarters (five years) and for the raising of an estimated amount of One Hundred Fifty-Eight Million and 00/100 Dollars ($158,000,000) for the following purposes: Level Two County-Wide Projects of Hall County: (1) acquiring ambulances and quick response vehicles, (2) acquiring and installing 911 System upgrade, (3) acquiring cardiac monitors, (4) renovating the main branch of the Hall County Library and acquiring books and other media for the library, (5) constructing and equipping the Gainesville-Hall County Senior Center, (6) acquiring public safety vehicles and (7) paying any general obligation debt incurred for Level Two Projects and issued in conjunction with such tax; Hall County Projects: (1) improving and constructing roads, bridges, and related improvements, (2) acquiring, constructing and installing park and recreation facilities and equipment, (3) making County building renovations and acquiring technological improvements, (4) acquiring, constructing and equipping water and sewer facilities, (5) constructing, renovating and/or equipping fire protection facilities and acquiring emergency medical vehicles, (6) constructing, remodeling and/or equipping public safety facilities, (7) expanding and constructing a landfill facility, and (8) paying any general obligation debt incurred for Hall County Projects and issued in conjunction with such tax; City of Clermont Projects: (1) acquiring, constructing and equipping municipal buildings, (2) acquiring, constructing and installing park facilities, and (3) improving and constructing roads and sidewalks; City of Flowery Branch Projects: (1) acquiring, installing and equipping water and sewer system facilities, (2) acquiring police vehicles, (3) improving and constructing roads, sidewalks and storm water facilities, and (4) acquiring, constructing and equipping an administration building and plaza; City of Gainesville Projects: (1) acquiring, installing, renovating and equipping fire station facilities, (2) improving and constructing roads, bridges and storm water facilities; (3) acquiring and constructing park improvements, and (4) acquiring, constructing and equipping a youth sports athletic complex; City of Gillsville Projects: (1) improving and constructing roads, and (2) improving parks; City of Lula Projects: (1) improving and constructing roads and trails, (2) improving parks and streetscape, and (3) acquiring, constructing and equipping water and sewer system facilities; City of Oakwood Projects: (1) acquiring public safety equipment, (2) improving and constructing roads, bridges and trails, and (3) acquiring, constructing and installing sewer facilities; Town of Braselton Projects: improving and constructing streets, sidewalks and storm water facilities; and City of Buford Projects: (1) improving and constructing roads and related improvements, and (2) acquiring, constructing and installing sewer facilities.<br />
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If imposition of the tax is approved by the voters, such vote shall also constitute approval of the issuance of general obligation debt of Hall County in the principal amount of Thirty Million and 00/100 Dollars ($30,000,000) for the purpose of paying a portion of the costs of the projects described in items (1) and (2) of the Level Two Projects above, and the projects described in items (1), (4) and (5) of the Hall County Projects above, and for the purpose of payment of the expenses incident to issuance of the debt."<br />
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( ) YES<br />
( ) NO<br />
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SPLOST PRESENTATIONS PLANNED<br />
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Separately, a notice from the county commissioners office, which was also released Wednesday, details the dates, times and places for several SPLOST-related meetings around the county. It is in the form of an official notice, alerting the public that the commission may attend the presentations, many which will be hosted by civic clubs and other private organizations, such as the chamber of commerce.<br />
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The schedule is as follows:<br />
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2/5/2015 Jaycees Meeting @ Avacados (upstairs) 12:00 p.m.
