The City of Madison and Morgan County have both signed an intergovernmental agreement to renew the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax that will generate nearly $47 million for government entities to fund projects inside Morgan County.
Morgan County will receive 70.69% of the sales tax money or $32,961,000, while Madison will garner 22.13% or about $10,300,000.
The City of Rutledge was expected to approve the measure during its Feb. 20 council meeting. Rutledge gets the next biggest slice of the pie at 4.33% or approximately $2,019,015 with Bostwick to receive 1.88% ($876,616) and Buckhead to receive 0.97% ($452,297).
If approved, Morgan County would begin collecting the tax that will last six years in April of 2025.
Morgan County voters are already deciding if the government entities will receive this funding boost during a special election that is already underway.
Early voting for the March 12, 2024, Presidential Preference Primary and Morgan County SPLOST special election began on Feb. 19 and continues Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays (Feb. 24 and March 2) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Morgan County Elections and Registration Office at 237 North 2nd Street in Madison.
Morgan County, as you might expect, has the most ambitious plans for its SPLOST revenue, including the construction of two joint fire and EMS stations, three fire trucks, a fire training facility at the Public Safety Complex, radio system upgrades, vehicles and equipment for the MCSO and E911 equipment replacement.
Beyond the critical needs first responders are hoping for, Morgan County also wants to build a Morgan County ag complex, a covered show arena, an indoor 4-H sports facility, improve broadband infrastructure, non-public safety machinery and vehicles, renovations to county buildings, and county-wide infrastructure Improvements.
The City of Madison has some of the same needs, including a new fire station, building maintenance, park improvements and maintenance, vehicles and mobile equipment, transportation development and maintenance, greenspace acquisition and public safety equipment, and infrastructure improvements.
The City of Rutledge plans to spend its portion on water infrastructure, sewer infrastructure, repairs and maintenance to the well site and buildings, sidewalks, and other Equipment.
The City of Bostwick wants to upgrade its recreational facilities, water system infrastructure, roads, and pedestrian areas.
The Town of Buckhead will also upgrade its water system as well and make improvements to town property as well as recreational and maintenance equipment.
According to the intergovernmental agreement, a County or municipal “project has been satisfactorily completed at a cost less than the estimated cost . . . the County [or city] may apply the remaining unexpended fund to any other project.”
“The County and Municipalities agree that each approved SPLOST project associated with this Agreement shall be completed or substantially completed within five years of the termination of the SPLOST. Any SPLOST proceeds held by a County or Municipality at the end of the five years shall, for this Agreement, be deemed excess funds and disposed of as provided under O.C.G.A. § 48-8-121(g), which states that “the funds shall be used solely to reduce any indebtedness of the county within the special district other than indebtedness incurred according to this part.
If there is no such other indebtedness or, if the excess proceeds exceed the amount of any such other indebtedness, then the excess proceeds shall next be paid into the general fund of the county within the special district, it being the intent that any funds so paid into the general fund of the county be used to reduce ad valorem taxes.”