Houston County Voters to Decide on Keeping SPLOST

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)- Houston County Voters are less than 24 hours away from deciding whether to continue a penny tax. The current SPLOST passed in 2006 will end this October.

Chairman Stalnaker says if the SPLOST passes it would generate around $155 million. The top priority on the project list would be $7 million for Robins Air Force Base to address encroachment.

“There are a lot of things that are on the SPLOST that we will not be able to do unless the SPLOST does pass,” says Stalnaker.

If the SPLOST extension passes $28 million will go to economic development, $42 million will be allocated for transportation, and another $8 million will help improve the county’s recreation department.

“We’re not asking for an additional penny. We’re asking for the continuation of the 7 cents that currently exists in this county,” says the chairman.

Some Houston County voters are hesitant. Walt Wood says he is concerned that some projects do not seem like a priority.

“When we passed the ’06 SPLOST we were still working on some projects from the ’01 SPLOST. We’re ready to pass a zero 12 SPLOST, and we’re still working on some projects from the ’01 SPLOST,” says Wood.

More than 3,000 residents have already voted on whether to continue the SPLOST. If the SPLOST passes it will take effect in October.