In November’s General Election, Gwinnett voters will be asked to decide on the renewal of a one-cent special purpose local option sales tax, or SPLOST, as county commissioners voted recently to add the referendum to the ballot.
The new program, if approved by voters, could raise $1.35 billion over the next six years, an increase over the $950 million the current SPLOST was estimated to collect through March 31, 2023. Gwinnett cities are expected to receive 25 percent of the funds.
“SPLOST keeps Gwinnett growing in the right direction with pay-as-you-go funding for building needed projects,” said Gwinnett Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Nicole Hendrickson. “It’s beneficial to our residents — who have come to expect top-notch services and amenities across the County — from our quality road system to our thriving senior service centers and from our supportive public safety facilities to our beautiful parks.”
The county prepared an estimated breakdown of how the SPLOST funds may be used:
- Transportation — $736.3 million for roads, streets, bridges, facilities and equipment
- Public safety facilities/equipment — $133.9 million; $86.4 million for a new police headquarters
- Recreational facilities/equipment — $108 million
- Courthouse facility renovation — $12.5 million
- Animal welfare facility renovation — $5.2 million
- Senior services facilities — $4.7 million
If the SPLOST referendum is approved by voters, the county will form a committee of residents who will review and prioritize transportation projects.
Since 1985, Gwinnett voters have approved a series of SPLOST programs that have raised more than $3.9 billion, funds county officials say has allowed Gwinnett to save more than $1.9 billion in financing costs compared to issuing bonds.
Additional information about SPLOST can be found here.
