Take Me To Post Comment Form In the past I have been a supporter of the penny sales tax as the most fair and equitable tax with which to fund capital improvements. However, SPLOST is fair and equitable only if it is used judiciously for critical needs. What most voters don't know or choose to ignore is that new or expanded facilities built with SPLOST funds must be staffed and maintained at county property owners' expense.
County officials have become masters at trying (and usually succeeding) to intimidate the public into voting for SPLOST because "if you don't, these costs will fall on the backs of property owners." Well, I am prepared to take that chance. At least taxing authorities will have to look taxpayers in the eye and justify millage increases to cover millions in new construction and expansions. Perhaps there will be such an outcry from the public that it will bring all of this free spending under control.
Don't get me wrong. I totally agree with using SPLOST to build and improve roads, for example, but I don't agree with using SPLOST to build facilities such as the Industrial Authority's ego palace and a Justice Center of such high flung design and size that it will take huge amounts of the taxpayers' money to pay for utilities and maintenance, not to mention the swollen personnel rolls that will surely become "critical" to fill the space after consruction.
I urge every voter to become informed about SPLOST, attend the public hearings, ask incisive questions, and vote an educated choice.