Newspaper Page Text
PAGE 12A
THE JACKSON HERALD
WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 2010
BOC calls for Nov. 2
vote on SPLOST
BY MARK BEARDSLEY
AND SHARON HOGAN
AFTER MONTHS of nego
tiations, details of the proposed
fifth round of special purpose
local option sales tax (SPLOST)
have been finalized.
Now it’s up to the voters to
decide on Nov. 2 whether to
allow the one-cent tax to be
collected for another six years
starting next July. The tax is
expected to generate $47.5 mil
lion during that time.
The Jackson County Board
of Commissioners officially
approved an intergovernmen
tal agreement Monday with the
county’s nine municipalities,
spelling out how the money
will be divided and how it will
be spent.
The commissioners also
approved a resolution request
ing that probate judge Margaret
Deadwyler call the referendum
for Nov. 2.
Both motions passed over the
objections of Commissioner
Tom Crow, who was not pres
ent for a July 7 called meeting
at which the distribution was
discussed among the commis
sioners.
Crow questioned both the
amount of funds allocated for
debt relief and the fact that no
SPLOST money was set aside
for the Jackson County Water
and Sewerage Authority to run
water lines.
He said he’d had calls from
three people whose fire insur
ance premiums were going up
because they were not close to
county fire hydrants.
“Here we’ve cut that project
off,” Crow said. “They’re still
paying that tax, but they have no
chance of getting the reduction
paid for by the tax.”
Chairman Hunter Bicknell
noted that some of the SPLOST
revenue would go toward
paying down the Bear Creek
Reservoir debt, and insisted that
the county “has every intention
of running water lines again in
the future.”
Crow, who like Bicknell is
a former member of the water
and sewerage authority, also
reminded the board that much
of the authority’s debt was
forced on it by a board of com
missioners to accommodate
new industry.
“We were spending their
money for them,” he said.
Commissioner Bruce Yates
observed that citizens in his dis
trict expressed interest in greater
SPLOST funding of recreation
and roads.
The commissioners agreed
that should the tax generate more
than $47.5 million, a means
might be found to address other
needs about which the commis
sioners are concerned.
Hampton also explained that
two committees will be estab
lished to provide oversight of
the spending of SPLOST rev
enue. One will be a five-mem
ber Joint Technical Committee
whose main job will be to
review compliance with the
SPLOST resolution. A Citizens
Review Committee will review
status reports on all projects to
be funded by SPLOST.
EARLIER MEETING
SPLOST was the topic
of a two-hour BOC meet
ing on Wednesday, May 7, in
Jefferson. At this meeting, the
BOC agreed that almost 50 per
cent of the county’s share of the
proposed special purpose local
option sales tax (SPLOST) 5 be
earmarked for debt reduction.
According to county staff,
Jackson County would receive
71.01 percent of the proposed
SPLOST revenue, which is pro
jected to be $33.7 million. Of
this projection, $23.7 million
has been earmarked for debt
repayment.
Some $6.8 million of the
proposed SPLOST revenue has
been allocated for roads, streets
and bridges.
BOC chairman Hunter
Bicknell said, on Wednesday,
“$6.8 million is a low num
ber over a six year period. We
need more funds here. There
will be money coming out of
the general fund for this. This
is something we have got to
maintain.”
The remaining revenue is
allocated $1.2 million to sat
ellite emergency management
services facilities and $2 million
to parks and recreation.
If SPLOST 5 is approved by
the voters, the funds would be
split between the county and
the nine municipalities located
inside the county.
The split between the munic
ipalities is: Arcade 2.63 per
cent, projected at $1.2 million;
Braselton 2.38 percent, project
ed at $1.1 million; Commerce
8.56 percent, projected at $4
million,; Hoschton 1.96 per
cent, projected at $932,068;
Jefferson 8.55 percent, $4 mil
lion; Maysville .91 percent,
$431,117; Nicholson 2.41 per
cent, $1.1 million; Pendergrass
.78 percent, $371,890; and
Talmo .80 percent, $377,400.
Commissioner Dwain Smith
expressed his concern with the
wording on the ballot for the
SPLOST 5 vote. “We want to
make sure it is clear it is a con
tinuation not a new tax,” Smith
said.
SERVICE DELIVERY
Also on Monday, the board
authorized a resolution extend
ing the service delivery agree
ment for the county and its
municipalities and forwarding
the agreement to the Georgia
Department of Community
Affairs for review and com
ment.
County manager Darrell
Hampton pointed out that the
negotiations began with 51
strategies, but the group was
able to delete 10 and combine
six others.
The agreement is required by
Georgia House Bill 419.
Tax coat’d from page JA
Commission assessing a 10-cent-per-acre charge for forest
fire protection. That amounts to an increase of about $6,000
a year over the four-cents-per-acre fee charged since 1967,
according to Hampton.
•approval of $748,362 for the second phase of the Hog
Mountain Road improvements.
•approval of a supplement to the John B. Brooks Road
contract for $19,023 for additional roadway, erosion control
and signing and marking items.
•three change orders with Blue Frog Construction regard
ing work on the old courthouse. One adds $15,858 to bring
permanent power and lighting for the courthouse clock and
for structural parging. Another, costing $41,841, is for addi
tional labor and material on the exterior contract. But the
third is a $8,050 credit on scaffolding rental and base rental.
Hampton said that the project is still on track to be complet
ed for the $2 million approved in a county bond issue.
SLOCUM REAPPOINTED
During its regular meeting, also Monday night, the board
reappointed Henry Slocum to a second three-year term
on the Northeast Georgia Region 10 Emergency Medical
Services Council.
In other action at the same meeting, the commissioners
approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Jackson
County Board of Education for use of the West Jackson
Primary School gymnasium by its recreation department and
authorized a quit claim deed for .006 acres of right of way
and .103 acres of temporary easement on the second phase of
the Hog Mountain Road improvement project.
NOTICE OF ELECTION
TO THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OF JACKSON COUNTY
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on the 2nd day of November 2010, an election will be held at the regular polling places in all the
election districts of Jackson County, Georgia (“the County”), at which time there will be submitted to the qualified voters of the County for
their determination the question of whether a one percent (1%) County special purpose local option sales and use tax (the “SPLOST”) shall
be imposed on all sales and uses in the special district created in the County for a period of six (6) consecutive years for the raising of
approximately $47,520,000.00 for the purpose of providing funds to pay or be applied toward the costs of the purposes specified below:
Distribution of Proceeds: All purposes have equal priority and shall receive a pro rata allocation of SPLOST funds received from the State of
Georgia on a monthly basis in accordance with the table below; provided, however, that the pro rata portion of the SPLOST proceeds received
for County purposes in any year pursuant to the imposition of such tax, shall first be used for paying principal and interest on the Bonds (as
described herein) for any such year before such proceeds are applied to any of the remaining County purposes described below. The pro rata
percentages shall control over the estimated cost in the event of a conflict.
County/
Municipality
Purposes
Estimated Cost
Pro
Rata
Jackson County
To provide funds to pay debt service on Jackson County
general obligation bonds to be issued in conjunction with
the 2010 SPLOST, the proceeds of which will be used to
refund (pay) a portion of the Series 2007A City of
Jefferson Public Authority revenue bonds (which portion
of the Series 2007A bonds was issued to finance the
Jackson County jail.
S23.747.657
49.97%
Jackson County
Satellite EMS Facilities
1,200.000.00
2.52%
Jackson County
Roads, Streets and Bridges
6,800,000.00
14.31%
Jackson County
Parks and Recreation
2,000.000.00
4.21%
Jackson Count)' Estimated Total
$33,747,657.00
71.01%
City of Arcade
Acquisition of Public Safety Complex
875,410.40
1.84%
City of Arcade
Repair and Paving of Roads, Streets and Bridges
250,162.40
0.53%
City of Arcade
Parks and Recreation including Land Acquisitions
125,081.20
0.26%
Arcade Estimated Total
SI,250,654.00
2.63%
Town of Braselton
Parks and Recreation
563,345.00
1.19%
Town of Braselton
Paving and repair of Streets, Curbs and Sidewalks
(including storm water structures)
563,345.00
1.19%
Braselton Estimated Total
SI,126,690.00
2.38%
City of Commerce
Water and Sewer Projects
1,830,320.00
3.86%
City of Commerce
Parks and Recreation
1,118.530.00
2.35%
City of Commerce
Roads, Streets and Bridges
1,118.530.00
2.35%
Commerce Estimated Total
S4,067,380.00
8.56%
City of Hoschton
Improvements to Water and Sewer
699,464.00
1.47%
City of Hoschton
Roads, Streets and Bridges
186.413.60
0.39%
City of Hoschton
Parks and Recreation
46,603.40
0.10%
Hoschton Estimated Total
S932,481.00
1.96%
City of Jefferson
Public Safety Facility Improvements
81,351.00
0.18%
City of Jefferson
Cultural Historical and Recreation Facilities Bonded Debt
Reduction
1,626.853.00
3.42%
City of Jefferson
Roads, Street, Bridges, Storm Water Management,
Sidewalk Facilities
1,179,588.00
2.48%
City of Jefferson
Water and Sewer Facilities
1,179,588.00
2.48%
Jefferson Estimated Total
S4,067,380.00
8.56%
City of Maysville
Water/Sewer Improvements
301,782.00
0.64%
City of Maysville
Roads and Bridges
64,667.00
0.14%
City of Maysville
Buildings
43,112.00
0.09%
City of Maysville
Parks and Recreation
21,556.00
0.04%
Maysville Estimated Total
S431,117.00
.91%
City of Nicholson
Roads and Bridges
516,003.25
1.09%
City of Nicholson
Acquisition of property to expand existing parks, purchase
of picnic and playground equipment for parks
286,976.25
0.60%
City of Nicholson
Renovation of existing library
57,395.25
0.12%
City of Nicholson
Historic Preservation: Restoration of the Crossroads
Traveling School
57,395.25
0.12%
Citv of Nicholson
Tractors, mowers and other equipment to maintain parks
172,185.75
0.36%
City of Nicholson
Water and Sewer Improvements
57,395.25
0.12%
Nicholson Estimated Total
$1,147,351.00
2.41%
City of Pendergrass
Construction of Library
260,133.70
0.54%
City of Pendergrass
Parks and Recreation
55,878.15
0.12%
City of Pendergrass
Streets, Roads and Bridges
55,878.15
0.12%
Pendergrass Estimated Total
S371.890.00
.78%
City of Talmo
Administrative Space/Library
132,526.80
0.28%
City of Talmo
Parks and Recreation
113,018.40
0.24%
City of Talmo
Roads, Streets and Bridges
94,182.00
0.20%
City of Talmo
Public Safety
37,672.80
0.08%
Talmo Estimated Total
S377.400.00
.80%
ESTIMATED GRAND TOTAL
547,520,000.00
100%
If the imposition of such tax is approved by the voters, such vote shall also constitute approval of the issuance of general obligation
bonds of the County secured by the SPLOST in the maximum aggregate principal amount not to exceed $21,365,000 (the “Bonds”). The
proceeds of the Bonds, if issued, shall be applied by the County to (1) refund a portion of the outstanding City of Jefferson Public Building
Authority Revenue Bonds (Jackson County Facilities), Series 2007A (the “Series 2007A Bonds”), such Series 2007A Bonds to be refunded in
the aggregate principal amount not to exceed $21,365,000, and (2) pay the costs of issuing the Bonds. The proceeds of the Series 2007A
Bonds were used to finance, among other things the County Jail.
Such Bonds, if authorized, shall be dated their date of delivery or from such other date as may be designated by the County, and shall
bear interest from their date of delivery or from such other date as may be designated by the County prior to the issuance of the Bonds, at a
rate to be determined in a supplemental resolution to be adopted by the County prior to the issuance of the Bonds, which rate shall not
exceed 5.50% per annum, with interest payable on March 1 and September 1 of each year, commencing on September 1, 2011, or such other
date as may be designed by the County prior to the issuance of the Bonds, and the principal thereof to be paid on September 1 of each year
during the life of the Bonds shall be as follows:
Year
Amount
2014
$5,875,000
2015
5,060.000
2016
5,155,000
2017
5,275,000
The principal and interest on the Bonds is expected to be paid from proceeds of the SPLOST and shall be payable in lawful money of the
United States of America at a paying agent bank which will be designated by the County prior to the issuance of the Bonds.
Voters desiring to vote for the imposition of said SPLOST for the purposes set forth above and the issuance of the Bonds shall do so by
voting “Yes” and voters desiring to vote against the imposition of said SPLOST for such purposes and the issuance of said bonds shall do so
by voting “No” as to the question propounded, to wit:
The form of the ballot is set forth below:
“Shall a special one percent (1%) sales and use tax be re-imposed in the special district of Jackson
County for a period of six (6) consecutive years and for the raising of an estimated amount of $47,520,000.00
for the purpose of providing funds to pay or be applied toward the costs of (A)(1) the following Jackson
| | Yes County Projects: County satellite EMS facilities; repair and paving of County roads, streets and bridges,
County parks and recreation, and (2) the payment of principal and interest on the County’s general
obligation bonds issued in conjunction with the special one percent (1%) sales and use tax as described below
for the purpose of refunding a portion of the City of Jefferson Public Building Authority Revenue Bonds
□ No (Jackson County Facilities), Series 2007A, the proceeds of which financed the County Jail; (B) the following
projects for the City of Arcade; acquisition of public safety complex; repair and paving of roads, streets and
bridges; parks and recreation, including land acquisition; (C) the following projects for the Town of
Braselton: parks and recreation; repair and paving of streets, curbs and sidewalks including storm water
structures; (D) the following projects for the City of Commerce: water and sewer; parks and recreation;
repair and paving of roads, streets and bridges; (E) the following projects for the City of Hoschton: water and
sewer; repair and paving of roads, streets and bridges; parks and recreation; (F) the following projects for
the City of Jefferson: public safety facility improvements; cultural historical and recreation facilities; bonded
debt reduction; repair and paving of roads, streets, bridges and sidewalks; storm water management; water
and sewer facilities: (C) the following projects for the City of Maysville: water and sewer improvements;
repair and paving of roads and bridges; buildings; parks and recreation; (H) the following projects for the
City of Nicholson: repair and paving of roads and bridges; acquisition of property to expand existing parks,
purchase of equipment for parks; renovation of existing library; restoration of the Crossroads Traveling
School; water and sewer; (I) the following projects for the City of Pendergrass: construction of library; parks
and recreation; repair and paving of streets, roads and bridges; (J) the following projects for the City of
Talmo: administrative space/library; parks and recreation; repair and paving of roads, streets and bridges;
public safety?
If the imposition of the tax is approved by the voters, such vote shall also constitute approval of the
issuance of general obligation bonds of Jackson County in the principal amount of $21,365,000 for the above
purpose specified in (A)(2).”
The several places for holding the election shall be in the regular and established precincts of the County, and the polls will be open
from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on the date fixed for the election. Those qualified to vote at the election shall be determined in all respects in
accordance and in conformity with the Constitution and statutes of the United States of America and of the State of Georgia.
The last date of register to vote in this election is October 4, 2010, through 5:00 p.m.
Those residents of Jackson County qualified to vote at such election shall be determined in
all respects in accordance with the election laws of the State of Georgia.
JACKSON COUNTY, GEORGIA
Chairman, Board of Commissioners
This Notice is given pursuant to joint action of the Board of Commissioners of Jackson
County and the Superintendent of Election of Jackson County.
SUPERINTENDENT OF ELECTIONS OF