Cobb County’s months long debate surrounding a proposed SPLOST extension ends Tuesday with voters having the final say on whether the tax is extended four years.
If approved, the local sales tax levy is expected to generate $492 million for parks, recreation and roads renovation and upgrade projects for Cobb and its six cities.
The local tax has garnered regional attention as groups, like the tea party, have challenged local government's intent on raising taxes and lobbied for smaller, more efficient government during the current economic downturn. Locally, Cobb’s taxpayer association, along with the county’s tea party and a state taxpayers organization, have led the charge against the tax with grassroots campaigning. A group of county civic and business leaders have pushed for it.
The Cobb vote could portend whether a regional transportation tax, which is scheduled to go before voters next year, has a shot at passing. It could also determine whether voters are willing to pay another penny tax, and push back against tax reform working through the state Legislature that could expand the tax base to include sales taxes on everyday services like car repairs and lawn care.
Cobb’s current SPLOST, approved in 2005, passed by only 114 votes.
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