The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Tuesday approved an allocation of over $759 million in 2023 SPLOST revenue, with most of the funds going toward transportation and parks projects.
73% of the budgeted share of the 2023 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds are set to be dedicated to transportation projects, according to county officials. The transportation project list was reportedly developed by a 15-member Citizens Project Selection Committee over the course of 10 meetings held since the fall of 2022. The included projects cover enhancements to major roads and intersections, bridges, pedestrian safety, resurfacing, speed control in residential areas and school safety.
The transportation projects were divided into two tiers, with the first tier assuming the county’s portion to be spent on transportation projects projected at $482.67 million over the 2023 SPLOST duration. The second tier includes secondary projects that would be funded if the SPLOST program generates more money than expected.
The Recreation Authority assisted in prioritizing parks projects, as officials make updates to the parks and recreation master plan. $97.2 million was reportedly allocated by the commissioners for new trails and parks, existing park expansions, renovations and “cultural and natural resource area protections,” according to Gwinnett County Media Relations Manager Deborah Tuff.
“The long-term benefits of SPLOST will support our growing population and address Gwinnett's infrastructure demands,” Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson said. “The projects the board approved today are well thought out and equitable, and they leverage the county's history of fiscal stewardship. I applaud the members of our Transportation Citizens Project Selection Committee and Recreation Authority for their time and efforts to ensure Gwinnett County continues to make strategic investments in our future.”
SPLOST currently pays for a large portion of Gwinnett County’s capital projects that are not funded by revenue pulled from other taxes or service charges. This is said to allow the county to keep up with infrastructure demands on a “pay-as-you-go” basis.
Gwinnett County voters in November 2022 approved a one-percent SPLOST that will run through March 31, 2029. The oversight committee set to monitor the 2023 SPLOST is made up of local Gwinnett County residents, as the program will be audited annually.
Over the next six years, the SPLOST program is predicted to raise $1.35 billion. Cities in the county make up approximately one-quarter of the land area and population and as a result, will receive roughly 25% of the collected SPLOST funds.
Gwinnett County’s public safety, senior services, animal shelter and fleet management are planned to receive 15% of the county’s portion of the collected funds.
Additionally, over $12.5 million in SPLOST funding is set to be used for renovations to the courts located inside the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center in Lawrenceville. The justice building opened in 1988 and for the most part, has remained unchanged since then. Approximately 250,000 square feet of judicial space within the existing facility will be renovated, including courtrooms, deliberation rooms, judges’ chambers and corridors. Lighting, ceilings, wall coverings and other interior elements are also planned for replacement as well.
Gwinnett County has a long history of using SPLOST funds for public improvements, dating back to the mid-1980s. SPLOST funds have previously been used to add greenspace, improve libraries, bolster education, assist seniors and enhance public safety. For more information about the SPLOST initiative in the county, visit the government website.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2023/6/1187952/gwinnett-county-officials-approve-2023-splost-projects