GAINESVILLE - The first of two newly-scheduled public input meetings on a proposal to extend a Hall County sales tax will be held Thursday.<br />
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The county is seeking public input on potential categories of projects for the next proposed Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST VII).<br />
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Thursday's meeting, like the one planned Dec. 11, will be held at the county Government Center starting at 5:00. <br />
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The meetings will consist of a presentation by government officials and an opportunity for the public to ask questions and offer feedback and input. These meetings follow three similar public input meetings held earlier this year at various locations throughout the county. <br />
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In conjunction with the meetings, the county began receiving input at the county website (www.hallcounty.org) earlier in the week. Citizens can also give written feedback by filling out comment cards, which are available in the Administration offices on the 4th floor of the government center.<br />
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A SPLOST is an optional 1 percent county sales tax used to fund capital outlay projects proposed by the county government and participating qualified municipal governments. SPLOST funds can be used for capital outlay projects, which are major projects of a permanent, long-lived nature, such as land and structures. They also include roads, streets, bridges, police cars, fire trucks, ambulances, garbage trucks and other major equipment. SPLOST funds cannot be used for maintenance and operation costs, however. A SPLOST is imposed for a specific period of time and for a specific purpose.<br />
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Voters are expected to be asked to approve the sales tax extension next March.<br />
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More information about SPLOST, including a history of Hall County's six previously approved SPLOST referendums, can be found at http://www.hallcounty.org/gov/splost.asp. <br />
