Houston County voters to decide on SPLOST renewal for infrastructure, public services

Houston County voters will head to the polls Tuesday to decide if they'll renew the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST).

HHOUSTON COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Houston County voters will head to the polls Tuesday to decide if they’ll renew the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST).

County leaders say it’s a key funding mechanism for a county projects including road improvements, library enhancements and 911 upgrades.

“This is not an increase in taxes,” Houston County Board of Commissioners Chairman Dan Perdue said. “This is to maintain the sales tax at seven percent.”

The existing SPLOST has already funded six major projects since 2018, which include the Tommy Stalnaker Aquatic Center, the North Houston Sports Complex, Center Park in Centerville, the widening of Highway 127/Houston Lake from Perry Parkway to Kings Chapel as well as Lake Joy Road, and the Feagin Mill/Houston Lake extension.

Some of the significant projects slated for the next four to six years, should the SPLOST be renewed, are a new Houston County Cultural Center, a Thompson Mill Road Extension, a new animal shelter and additional purchases for the Houston County Public Library.

Chairman Perdue says he wants to make sure Houston County voters are educated on what the SPLOST provides and that they are aware of their polling locations so they can cast their vote.

Election Day is Tuesday.