SPLOST Intergovernmental Agreement receives approval by county, municipalities

The Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax Intergovernmental Agreement between Stephens County and the cities of Toccoa, Martin, and Avalon has been approved by all parties.

During the Stephens County Board of Commissioners’ special called meeting Tuesday, the board voted and approved the SPLOST VII agreement, finalized with the county receiving 68.25% and the City of Toccoa receiving 31.75%, after the revenue shares for the Towns of Martin and Avalon are taken out.

County Administrator Phyllis Ayers says how much the City of Toccoa will receive is dependent on the sales tax collection during SPLOST VII.

“If we were to literally stay the same as the 12-month period, the City would get $6,350,034.93. That would end up being the 31.75% split,” she said. “Then if we look at a 1% increase, the City would get $6,579,135. And then if we continue like this past calendar fiscal year, over a 12-month period there was a 3% increase in sales tax. If we are able to do that over the next six years, the City would get $7,315,180.”

City Manager Billy Morse tells WNEG News he’s pleased with the agreement.

“It is good news that the City/County have agreed to a SPLOST distribution,” he said Monday. “We have a number of good projects that we need to do with those funds; wastewater fire truck, street resurfacing. I know the County has a long list  of very good projects too, but I think the community will be pleased that we’ve looked at economic development, public safety, transportation; those sorts of projects.”

Stephens County Board of Commissioners Chairman Dean Scarborough says he is thankful for how well the governments have worked with each other throughout the negotiation phase.

The County Commission also approved the SPLOST VII Resolution calling for the November 5, 2019 SPLOST VII Election.

If voters approve the SPLOST referendum in November, collections of the one-cent sales tax will go into effect on July 1, 2020.

The County and Municipalities will begin receiving revenue from SPLOST VII in January 2021.