When Gwinnett County voters cast their ballots during November’s General Election, they will decide on the renewal of the one-cent special purpose local option sales tax, or SPLOST.
Commissioners on Tuesday officially voted to place the referendum on the ballot.
Since 2001, the County and all 16 cities within Gwinnett have agreed on how to share the proceeds. This time around, cities are expected to receive 25 percent of the funds.
If given the green light by voters, the new program could raise $1.35 billion over the next six years, an increase over the $950 million the current SPLOST was estimated to collect through its end date of March 31, 2023.
Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Nicole Hendrickson said one of the keys to the success of SPLOST is the collaboration between county government and the cities.
“SPLOST keeps Gwinnett growing in the right direction with pay-as-you-go funding for building needed projects,” Hendrickson said. “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.”
Here is an estimated breakdown on how the County plans to use just over $1 billion in 2023 SPLOST funds:
- Transportation: $736.3 million (roads, streets, bridges, facilities and equipment)
- Public safety facilities/equipment: $133.9 million ($86.4 million will go toward 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
Hendrickson added that the County will again form a committee made up of residents who will review and prioritize transportation projects, the largest category in the proposed sales tax program.
Gwinnett voters have approved a series of SPLOST programs that since 1985 have raised more than $3.9 billion, allowing the County to save more than $1.9 billion in financing costs compared to issuing bonds.
Additional information about SPLOST can be found online at GwinnettSPLOST.com and a video showing many parks, road and other improvements that have been funded by SPLOST over the years can be viewed on TVGwinnett.com.
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