County, Cities Must Agree How SPLOST Money to Be Spent

It has been less than a year since voters in metro Atlanta soundly rejected a transportation sales tax.

Now, Gwinnett County voters may face a similar choice in 2013. The current countywide Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax program (SPLOST) expires at the end of the year. If voters want new projects in transportation, public safety or new buildings, they'll have to vote "yes."

But will voters get the chance?

County leaders have made no final decision, and that decision is not theirs alone. Leaders of Gwinnett cities must be in accord with county leaders on how SPLOST monies would be spent before such a vote can take place.

Gwinnett Commission Chairman Charlotte Nash said Tuesday (March 19) that more discussion on the matter probably would be held "as we head into summer."

Nash also noted that SPLOST ballot language is set by state law, and that the county ballot must match that.

She also said that comparisons with the 2012 Transportation Investment Act, also sometimes known as the TSPLOST, are not fair.

There was no track record for the voted-down TIA, whereas the current Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center is among the projects built with SPLOST funds. "I love talking about success stories," she said.

Also, SPLOST monies would not be spent for transit, and would have to be spent in Gwinnett County.

for SPLOST projects.

-- Do you think Gwinnett voters should have a new SPLOST project beginning in 2014? Use the comments box below.