Repairs for DeKalb's run-down roads and infrastructure will have to wait.
The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners voted 5-0 to back off of a 1 percent sales tax referendum that could have provided funding for road repaving, sidewalks, a government center, a police academy, fire stations, libraries and parks.
The deciding factor against the special purpose local option sales tax, or SPLOST, was a previously overlooked state law that could have triggered a property tax increase.
DeKalb officials learned last week that a law meant to preserve homeowners' tax exemptions would have disappeared if the SPLOST had passed. The exemption gives residents a discount on their county property taxes to offset increases in home values.
“If you replaced two words in this legislation, we would not be here having this discussion,” Interim CEO Lee May said.
Though the issue won’t be appearing on November’s ballot, it could be revived next year. State lawmakers have shown willingness to change the wording in the next legislative session.
The tax was a beacon of hope for many living in communities — like south DeKalb — that have been historically under-served by county resources.
“I’m really sorry that somehow we didn’t know about this beforehand,” Commissioner Kathie Gannon said of the clause that would have gotten rid of the longstanding tax freeze. “I feel like we should’ve before we went down this road where people are so excited about getting their streets paved.”
Gannon worried the property owners hit hardest by removing the tax freeze would be those who have lived in the county the longest.
The Commission met Tuesday morning to discuss the referendum, but postponed the vote until the evening’s Planning and Zoning committee meeting. Commissioner Sharon Barnes Sutton was at the early meeting, but couldn’t make the vote.
The initiative sought to raise $551 million over five years. A citizen review committee took the reins in choosing projects most deserving of the funds in all parts of the county.
In arguing that the commissioners should go ahead and approve the referendum, Alice Bussey, one of the committee members said,“If we do this, do you know we could create economic development on the south side? We could create jobs. We could help our senior citizens have the quality of life they deserve.”
Faye Coffield, a 37-year resident of DeKalb who is running for the empty commission seat this fall, said the tax is needed so roads don't remind her of "a ride at Six Flags."
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