Cobb considering SPLOST vote this fall

Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs: $82 million

Facilities: $17 million

Public Safety: $13 million

Cobb County’s elected leaders are taking the first steps toward putting a special purpose sales tax on ballots this fall by considering a list of projects that could be funded with the revenue.

Projects on the working list add up to more than $1 billion, according to commissioners, who have to whittle it to either $750 million or $500 million, depending on whether they place a three- or six-year tax in front of voters.

That tax is estimated to generate $125 million a year.

Cobb Commission Chairman Tim Lee has scheduled a meeting with the county’s six mayors for this week, during which they will discuss joint projects that could be funded by sales tax revenues. Commissioners are expected to vote July 22 on a resolution that would set SPLOST on ballots this year.

Lee did not return phone calls requesting an interview. Commissioner Helen Goreham said there will be a series of public hearings after the list of projects has been reduced, but before the commission’s vote in July.

“I think we need to continue the SPLOST program without interruption,” Goreham said.

The county on Friday would not release the list of projects commissioners are considering. But one controversial project on that list is the $500 million Bus Rapid Transit that would operate from Kennesaw State University, through the Cumberland area where the new Braves stadium will be, down to Midtown, according to commissioners. About $100 million in SPLOST funds would be dedicated to the project.

Commissioner Bob Ott opposes the BRT project and said Friday that it would be a mistake to include it as part of the SPLOST because he believes it would lead to the tax being voted down.

“I don’t support BRT period, but I think it would kill the SPLOST,” Ott said.

Cobb voters have had a mixed record on SPLOST votes. They have twice rejected the tax — in 1998 and 2000. The 2011 and 2005 referendums each passed by about 10o votes.

Lance Lamberton, president of the Cobb Taxpayers Association, said he won’t know if his organization will oppose this year’s SPLOST until its members can evaluate the list of projects. Lamberton said his group opposed the 2011 SPLOST because “there were too many wasteful projects and because we need tax relief.”