SPLOST Issue Still Has Many Divided

With less than a week away from the official referendum vote in the , supporters both for and against remain highly passionate on the matter.

Early referendum voting continues this week through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The two closest venues for Smyrna-Vinings voters to cast their ballots are at the Cobb Elections Main Office, 736 Whitlock Avenue in Marietta, and at the South Cobb Community Center, 620 Lions Club Drive in Mableton.

There is no voting on Monday and the official referendum vote is next Tuesday, March 15. For more information, call 770-528-2581 or visit cobbelections.org.

If approved by voters, the special four-year tax would begin Jan. 1, 2012, just as the current one ends. The new one-cent on the dollar tax is projected to generate $492 million for parks, recreation and transportation maintenance projects.

In December, the Smyrna City Council voted 6-1 to approve a four-year SPLOST.

"These are needed projects,’’ said Ward 2 Councilman Ron Newcomb at the time.  “I think our property tax owners carry enough and the SPLOST is a fair tax that everyone pays. I hope it will pass and I encourage voters to pass it in March.''

The original six-year special purpose local option sales tax was projected to bring the city of Smyrna almost $52 million for municipal improvements. The new four-year SPLOST with its slashed project list is expected to bring Smyrna $33.9 million.

Among the Tier 1 projects slated for Smyrna is the construction of a landscaped median and multi-use trail on Concord Road between South Cobb Drive and Atlanta Road (estimated project cost: $11,755,000), and the resurfacing of various streets citywide (est. $4,366,00).

Among those projects no longer on the list is the construction of Windy Hill Boulevard for $20.8 million. A list of 2011 SPLOST projects accompanies this article.

At this week’s Smyrna City Council meeting, Mary Kirkendoll used her allotted time during the citizen’s input session to express her disapproval for another SPLOST.

“The City of Smyrna had four major projects on the 2005 SPLOST list and the estimated amount Smyrna was to receive was $43 million,’’ she said. “According to the 2005 check registry, much of the SPLOST budget has already been spent for the Windy Hill and Atlanta Road projects, yet we see absolutely nothing being done on those projects.

“I would advise people to get out and vote no for the SPLOST until we can until we can get answers and find out where all our money is going in Cobb County.’’

In 2005 Cobb County voters approved a 1 percent SPLOST for several uses, but the main part of the program was for capital improvements for transportation projects. A list of 2005 SPLOST projects can be found here.

There were three items on Monday’s Council Consent Agenda that involved the 2005 SPLOST. Funding from such was used to award to the low bidder, D&H Construction, to begin Phase I of the Spring Road Multi-Use Trail Project from Village Parkway to Atlanta Road.

Also approved was the agreement between the city and the Georgia Power Company for the relocation of existing facilities involved with the Spring Road Trail West Project and the Campbell Road CSX Bridge Project. Councilman Michael McNabb stressed that “any relocation of Georgia Power facilities in the right of way, per our franchise agreements, (Georgia Power) is responsible for all those costs and we don’t pay any of that.’’

At his website here, Councilman Wade Lnenicka goes into details explaining the complexities surrounding the extension of the multiuse trail on Atlanta Road from Spring/Concord Road at the north end to Ridge Road/Jane Lyle Road on the south end at the city limits. 

“This is going to join the trail that currently extends from Village Parkway to Cumberland,’’ said Councilwoman Teri Anulewicz. “It is going to join it all the way to Atlanta Road. It shows Smyrna is continuing its commitment to be a true pedestrian- and biker-friendly community.’’

Councilwoman Melleny Pritchett said that work would soon begin on the Campbell Road CSX Bridge Project that will involve the replacement of the existing bridge over the CSX railroad. The new bridge will accommodate sidewalks for pedestrian traffic and Pritchett said that she is open to answer any public questions on the matter by being reached at 770-319-5306 or mpritchett@ci.smyrna.ga.us.

2011 SPLOST proponents and opponents continue to make their arguments as next week’s vote approaches. This week, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that pro-SPLOST forces have raised nearly $233,000, largely from business interests, with nearly half of that coming from the Cumberland Community Improvement District (CCID). By comparison, anti-SPLOST groups have raised around $1,50o, according to the story.

On Wednesday, James Bell, Director of the Georgia Taxpayers Alliance, Inc., filed complaints seeking an investigation into contributions made by CCID, a government entity established by the Georgia Constitution and local legislation.

“We believe CCID and CCF have violated state laws pertaining to
contribution given by government entities to influence elections and referendums,” Bell said. “We are seeking investigations by the State Ethics Commission, Office of Attorney General, State Elections Board, Governor’s Office and the Federal Elections Commission concerning these alleged violations.”

Meanwhile, others are squarely in support of the approval of this latest SPLOST.

“In talking to residents over the years, I’m always struck by how some of the most vocal critics of SPLOST are also some of the most outspoken advocates for more sidewalks and trails,’’ Anulewicz said at this week’s city council meeting. “(The Spring Road Trail) is SPLOST funded and please keep that in mind when you go to vote for the SPLOST on March 15.’’