CLEVELAND — White County Government will take a 14-percent cut in funds if a proposed continuation of the current 1-cent sales tax is approved by voters in November.
During a called meeting Thursday, the White County Board of Commissioners voted 3-2 to approve a new SPLOST distribution rate that allots 60 percent of proceeds for the county and 20 percent each for the cities of Cleveland and Helen.
Commissioners Craig Bryant, Lyn Holcomb and Terry Goodger voted in favor of the new revenue split. Commissioner Edwin Nix and Chairman Travis Turner voted no.
The revenue generated will be used for specific projects outlined by the three governments.
Turner said the reduced funds for the county will affect the timing and the ability to fund upcoming projects. Both cities had been lobbying for an increase in their share of SPLOST money, from the current 13 percent.
County and city officials will be completing an intergovernmental agreement for the tax distribution, and then will request that County Election Superintendent Garrison Baker include the SPLOST tax continuation question on the November ballot.
