Houston commissioners hope to host SPLOST extension referendum

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – “Reaching out into the future is what you’re doing,” said Houston County Commission Chairman Tommy Stalnaker.

It never hurts to plan now for something you know is coming.

“Most any government is doing that,” said Stalnaker. “What we’re trying to do is have some assurances there’s going to be revenue to execute those plans into the future,” said Stalnaker.

For Houston County, those plans take a lot of money.

“I know the cities have some projects they’re anxious to get started with,” said Stalnaker.

The SPLOST takes in a lot of money for projects around the county.

“This county built one new library and renovated two libraries in the last SPLOST and we’ve given them money for books and computer upgrades and things like this–those are quality of life issues,” said Stalnaker.

Not to mention the countless road and recreation projects.

“I think people want to see results from the taxes, I think they have seen results from their taxes in this county–from the sales tax in particular,” said Stalnaker.

But now, the commissioners as well as chairman Tommy Stalnaker need your help to keep it rolling.

“The funding mechanism be available through the sales tax to continue the progress that’s been made in this county,” said Stalnaker.

The current SPLOST runs through 2018, so before that happens, the commissioners want to hold a referendum so you can vote to extend it.

“It will not be an additional sales tax, it will be the same amount of sales tax that we currently have,” said Stalnaker.

That allows them to plan projects knowing the money will be there.

“There are some projects we would like to go ahead and proceed with as far planning and implementation and in order to do that we need some assurances there’s going to be the dollars available to fund them once we’re through with the planning process,” said Stalnaker.

The commissioners hope you’ll vote to keep the SPLOST going.

If you want to go to the public meeting about the SPLOST projects, it’s December 7th at 6 p.m. in the commission chambers on Carl Vinson Boulevard.

If you want a full project list, head over to the Houston County website.