TSPLOST

[RDM]

AKA UrKidding.
Didn't see your comments until this evening. This tax is already in place and we are seeing the benefits of it. Property tax will not work as everyone on the council will want the money spent differently. I don't like taxes anymore than the next person but we have numerous transporation projects unfinished. Without this dedicated funding they will be unfinished for years and it will cost us more in the long run to try to fund them later.

Property tax puts the total cost on the citizens where the SPLOST is on anyone who spends money here. It also has a deadline where property tax does not. If sales tax revenues get better in two to three years end the SPLOST or if the projects are completed end it. Property tax increase will not end someone will find a way to spend it on something even if it's not needed.

[Don Haddix]

For me, even if the economy improved and sales tax and property tax income jumped, I want to continue making everything as efficient as possible. I don't like funding things for no other reason than we can.

I also have reservations about the Police Station failing again, or some other high cost issue arising.

We have postponed maintenance and other issues to contend with. So, it would be years before we had any surplus income to spend on anything else.

If and when we hit the point when we catch everything up to date I would rather restore the reserve to maximum and then do tax cuts. That gives not only a budget reserve but a citizen reserve if we ever faced a tax increase in the future.

Legally when the funding for a SPLOST project is fully collected or the project is completed, it ends.

If a surplus occurs, it has to be refunded.

Been way too much unwise spending over the years. Has to end.

[RDM]

Efficient is good. I don't think that has been the case for quite sometime. We have numerous issues that need to be resolved and they cost money. The city should already have reserves based on the taxes we currently pay but that hasn't happened. Several of our surrounding counties budget's are in better shape then ours with less revenue. I don't know about the legal issues with a SPLOST but I will research this to learn more about it. As you stated when the projects are completed, it ends. Has the projects been completed with the current SPLOST? I would think we have a ways to go, 54/74 tunnels, CSX bridge, cart path paving and light at wisdom road. That's just what I'm aware of I'm sure there are more.

[Don Haddix]

Efficient is good. I don't think that has been the case for quite sometime. We have numerous issues that need to be resolved and they cost money. The city should already have reserves based on the taxes we currently pay but that hasn't happened. Several of our surrounding counties budget's are in better shape then ours with less revenue. I don't know about the legal issues with a SPLOST but I will research this to learn more about it. As you stated when the projects are completed, it ends. Has the projects been completed with the current SPLOST? I would think we have a ways to go, 54/74 tunnels, CSX bridge, cart path paving and light at wisdom road. That's just what I'm aware of I'm sure there are more.
No, they are not complete because we ended up not receiving millions that were anticipated due to the economy.

Many are on hold. If we don't get the SPLOST they will remain on hold or incomplete.

Coweta is artificially in better shape. One time fees from new commercial construction when so much of their commercial space is already empty is not a wise way to get money.

And in a quick search Coweta does have an income short fall and has been cutting things, not to mention they have a lot of infrastructure needs they have not even begun to pay for yet.

So, one needs to be very careful looking at Coweta as if they have it together.

Clayton? Again one time fees.

There are models, on the Northside, for how their pro build everything is a short term win and a long term loss. Once the ability to keep building ends all those infrastructure costs and services are still there, but then do not generate enough budget income to pay for them.

Successful areas on the Northside are now working hard to move to Smart Growth and Village concept. It works.

Same is being repeated around the nation in many areas.

So, we don't want to go down that short time path as some wish to.

Most assuredly if we had been proactive in the past we would be in better shape today. No doubt to it.

Two of us on Council says this before we ran. Now we are getting some traction, but still have a long road ahead on these issues.

[RDM]

When does this issue come up for a vote? Any news as to how the vote could go when it does come up for a vote? I see there is some movement, maybe, on the bridge over CSX and is that dependant on these funds?

And while I'm asking (numberous questions) what is the latest with the development across from Walmart and an additional light on 54W. I haven't seen anything new. Thanks.

[Don Haddix]

When does this issue come up for a vote? Any news as to how the vote could go when it does come up for a vote? I see there is some movement, maybe, on the bridge over CSX and is that dependant on these funds?

And while I'm asking (numberous questions) what is the latest with the development across from Walmart and an additional light on 54W. I haven't seen anything new. Thanks.
The SPLOST has to be first hashed out within the Fayette County governments. If we come together in agreeing to move forward then it would be the November 3rd ballot as a referendum issue.

As for the Line Creek development, it looks like they are setting up for the study to see if they are going to approve or not the light. I think syncing the light, first, is part of that process.

And yes, creeping forward on the cart bridge. Still to be completed this year.