CLEVELAND - The White County Board of Education has set in motion a public vote on a sales tax extension.<br />
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Thursday night the board adopted a resolution that sets forth the process for a vote by the citizens to continue the education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax. <br />
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The 1-cent tax would continue to provide funds for capital projects within the school system. <br />
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The board vote came Thursday night after financial advisor Tom Owens of Raymond James presented an<br />
overview of past and current SPLOST projects. <br />
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The current SPLOST runs through 2017 and the new SPLOST, if approved by the voters, would run from 2018 through 2022 and could raise up to $24 million dollars. <br />
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Superintendent Dr. Jeff Wilson said it will enable the school system to move forward without putting an extra burden on property owners. <br />
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"It provides for maintenance and operation of our schools," Wilson said. "It does not pay for salaries, it cannot pay for any salaries, but if we did not have that penny it would certainly increase property taxes here in White County." <br />
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A good portion of the funds raised will be used to construct a new ninth grade academy and gym next to the current high school. <br />
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White County BOE Chair Kendyl Brock Hunter discussed the upcoming referendum.<br />
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"We've got to let the voters know this is not an additional tax," Hunter said. "It's just a continuation of the tax we have right now. " <br />
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The resolution calls for a special referendum to be held March 17, 2015.<br />
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