Toccoa sends counter-offer to County for SPLOST VII

Stephens County and the City of Toccoa have yet to come to an agreement for the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) VII distribution.

According to Stephens County Administrator Phyllis Ayers, county staff received a letter from the City of Toccoa on Friday. The City of Toccoa is offering a 68.25% County and 31.75% City split with no conditions.

In a letter issued to the City by the County last Tuesday, the County offered a 68/32 split on the expected SPLOST VII revenue of $20.2 million over a six-year period, based on an anticipated 1% increase in revenue annually. However, that offer came with two conditions.

According to that letter, the County said they will agree to the 68/32 split if the City agrees to lower rates for county water customers to the same level as city water customers.

They also want the City to re-imburse the County for the $55,150 they paid contractor Haywood Baker to move a city water line in connection with the W. Currahee slope stabilization project.

The City had refused to pay the contractor for the extra work to move the water line stating they had agreed to give the County $175,000 for the overall project and no more.

However, the latest offer from the city, refused both conditions. The city has requested the county respond by Tuesday, July 16, at 10:00 a.m.

According to Ayers the County would prefer to continue using the 70% – 30% split based on an expected revenue of $20.2-million with a 1% increase in revenue annually.

“We’ve been looking at a more conservative number. Billy (Morse) has those numbers, a 1% increase annually and a 3% increase annually,” Ayers explained. “So each of those come up differently. But we are looking at the more realistic number and are wanting a 70/30 split. We are not asking for anything more than what we had in the last SPLOST. At a 70/30 split they would get more like $6-million.”

Ayers told WNEG News on Friday that the Stephens County Board of Commissioners are reviewing the latest offer and are expected to respond by Tuesday.

If no Intergovernmental Agreement is reached before July 23, by law SPLOST VII will become a five-year revenue distribution to the County and the cities of Avalon and Martin, instead of a six-year distribution that includes the City of Toccoa.

According to Ayers, copies of the SPLOST VII project list and distribution break down must be sent to the Georgia Department of Revenue no later than August 6.

WNEG News will continue to follow this story and bring you additional details as they become available.