Forsyth to seek voter OK for $274M SPLOST

The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners has called a Nov. 6 referendum to ask voters to extend the 1-cent Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax as SPLOST VIII. FORSYTH COUNTY

The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners has called a Nov. 6 referendum to ask voters to extend the 1-cent Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax as SPLOST VIII. FORSYTH COUNTY

Forsyth County voters will be asked Nov. 6 to approve a six-year extension of the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) and the sale of up to $100 million in general obligation bonds to pay for transportation, recreation, public safety and other projects by the county and city of Cumming.

A unanimous Forsyth Board of Commissioners approved a resolution July 5 calling the referendum on continuing the 1 cent sales tax as SPLOST VIII, starting in 2020. The tax would raise about $274 million to pay for various projects as well as debt service for the bond issue.

The biggest cost categories would be $153 million for county roads, bridges and sidewalks; $44 million for parks and recreation; and $26.5 million for the sheriff’s office and fire department.

Commissioners also approved an intergovernmental agreement with Cumming, allocating to the city about $13.5 million out of SPLOST VIII for transportation projects, including a Cumming bypass, and $1 million for the Dobbs Creek Recreation Center.

Information: https://bit.ly/2KKQQ9W