Lamar County voters will go to the polls March 15 to decide whether or not to continue to impose a one cent sales tax to fund a varied wish list of projects.
“Your SPLOST Pennies at Work” signs are popping up along with the new sidewalks linking Barnesville to its important areas such as the civic center, recreation department and other places.
How about listing the projects on this SPLOST referendum the people will be voting on and their projected cost. Additionally, how about listing the projects listed on the last voted on SPLOST and their progress.
I’m not against SPLOST but it is easy to deceive the people into voting for something when they think it might not have an effect on their regular tax base. The real truth is that elected officials want SPLOST for many reasons and some might not be so ethical and another fact is our property taxes are going to go up regardless of SPLOST until those elected officials get serious about spending.
Big SPLOST Bucks $12,206,512.57.
Lamar County will get $5,356,131. Barnesville will get $3,730,165. Milner will get $328,581. Aldora will get $95,645. Total is $9,564,520. If approve?
Vote yes on SLOST.
The author of the Vote No letter raised a very interesting issue. He states, "SPLOST serves one purpose. It allows the politicians to raise taxes while remaining blameless. I say force them to vote on whether or not to raise your property tax. This will give you a clear indication as to who needs to be voted out in the next election." So essentially, a SPLOST allows the commission to raise tax money and keep their hands clean in the process.
But, you have to remember, currently we pay 7 percent in sales tax. Four percent goes to the state. There is a 1 percent Local Option Sales Tax, a 1 percent Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, and a 1 percent Educational sales tax. Thats an extra 3 percent going to the county in some form or fashion. If we approve this SPLOST, where does it end? Who's to say we stop at these 3? It has already been suggested at different times that additional percentages be added over and above what we are currently paying.
Currently our tax structure is letting our government collect taxes on both ends. Property taxes comes out the front end and sales tax revenue comes out the back end. Decide which end to draw it out of. Either is fine, but not both. Sooner or later we will have to decide where to draw the line in the sand. I'm drawing my line now, and its right here: I'm voting no.
The last SPLOST they were supposed to get a new firehouse. Is that correct? I know one started being built beside the rodeo ring, was that SPLOST?
If so, will it be completed if this SPLOST is passed? If not, will they use the fire fee money to finish it? If SPLOST is passed and the fire fees are used, will at least some new trucks be coming?
Hope someone has the answers. It seems the fire department pulls in a lot of money, yet still doesn't pay any of the firefighters. Where does it all go?
Our area gets improved and our visitors help to pay for it. What's not to like about that?
If our SPLOST funds are being abused, then we get out and vote and replace the folks who are taking advantage of the trust we place in them.
Whatever you may say, one way or another, the burden will be placed on the backs of the taxpayers. We will pay for it anyway, but what say we take matters into our own hands and try to steer the money boat?
If your feeling is that our money is being misused, well then show up at the polls again and make your vote count.
You have more power than you think.
Really?
What are these people using for brains?
Vote these idiots out.
What happen five years ago? Job cuts and budget cuts. 5 years ago?
We want you? Vote yes on SPLOST. No new taxes. No taxes.
2000 Census listed Lamar County population of 15,912 people (5712 Households) of which is (4284 Families) and a median family income of $43,481.00.
Considering Lamar County only - every resident (including children) must spend a little over $15000 per year on goods over 4 years.
Households and Families would need to spend their entire income on goods to generate that much money over 4 years @ 1 cent per dollar.
However, households average $37,087.00 which creates a shortfall.
In reality, if 5712 households spend 5000.00 a year on goods to generate 1 cent SPLOST. It would total 5712 X 5000 X 4 years X .01 = $1,142,400.00.
Expected $9,564,520.00 - Collected $1,142,400.00 = $8,422,120.00 shortfall. I sure hope we have enough out of town spenders spending lots of money to collect the shortfall. We only need to find enough people to spend $842,212,000.00 in the county for the SPLOST duration. Piece of cake!
Vote Yes on SPLOST. Our need and Our want.