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For more detailed information, photos, drawings and other documents...

SPLOST 2005 was approved by Athens-Clarke County voters on Nov. 2, 2004 SPLOST 2005 Progress Reports
SPLOST IV Progress Reports	SPLOST 2000 Progress Reports

The SPLOST Annual Report for 2003 is now available online as a PDF file. (Note: It is over 2 megabytes in size. Also, if you want to print it out, make sure to select the 'Fit to Paper' page scaling due to the report's dimensions)

SPLOST General Information
On November 2, 2004, Athens-Clarke County voters approved the SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) 2005 referendum that allowed for the continuation of a one-cent sales tax to fund a diverse list community projects.

In 1999 and 1994, voters in Athens-Clarke County also approved an extra penny in sales tax to fund packages of diverse community projects over five years. In years prior to 1994, SPLOST funds also provided for the restoration of the historic Morton Theatre, the creation of the Classic Center, expansion of the landfill, establishment of a regional library, expansion of the jail and the addition of an annex and parking deck to the Athens-Clarke County Courthouse.

The projects are divided into three broad categories: Public Safety, Basic Facilities / Infrastructure, and Quality of Life. An online version of a Powerpoint presentation of SPLOST IV featuring some of its projects that fall into these three categories breakdown is now available.

Cents and Sensibility
Georgia law allows local jurisdictions as of July 1, 1985 to use SPLOST proceeds for capital improvement projects that would otherwise be paid for with General Fund and property tax revenues. In some cases, the cost of these types of community enhancements would present too great a burden to the taxpayers to ever be undertaken. In other cases, the projects would be completed but at a much higher cost to the community. For instance, if a project requires the use of bonds, the cost to the community is virtually double what it would be in paid for in cash.

SPLOST Allows ACC to Remain Debt Free and Leverage Federal and State Monies
By using SPLOST funding to pay for improvements to our public safety, infrastructure and quality of life, Athens-Clarke County entered the 21st Century completely debt free. The program has allowed ACC to capitalize on strong economic conditions of the 1990s, pay for enhancements in cash and, by the end of the program, pay off the extremely low level of General Obligation Bonds remaining.

In addition, SPLOST has provided the local match for a wide variety of infrastructure improvements and allowed ACC to leverage state and federal transportation funds for the maximum impact on our community.

SPLOST Provides an Equitable Source of Support for Capital Projects
The smallest geographic county and the 14th most populous in the state, Athens-Clarke County serves Northeast Georgia as a regional center for employment, commerce and recreation. According to the September 20, 1998 Athens Banner-Herald, roughly 1/3 of the work force commutes to the Athens-Clarke County for work. With 40,000 people in our workforce and approximately 18,000 commuting from outside ACC, we have an opportunity to use the sales tax dollars that non-residents spend here to ease the burden on local property taxpayers. SPLOST has provided a fair way for citizens of the region to support the services and infrastructure they utilize in Athens-Clarke County.

SPLOST Gives Our Community a Shared Vision

SPLOST gives ACC community members the opportunity to participate in a shared vision for our future. All SPLOST buildings have been constructed with a lengthy projected life span and all of the projects help the Athens of today live up to the oath taken by ancient Greek Athenians: to leave this community "greater and more beautiful than it was transmitted to us."

SPLOST Citizen Involvement
The success of the SPLOST programs are directly affected by the hard work of citizen volunteers and community participation. The Athens-Clarke County Commission appointed community members to craft the programs for the 2004, 1999 and 1994 votes. Members of the committees have continued to work with the ACC staff and elected officials as the Citizens Advisory Committees for each program. Additionally, community meetings are an integral component of many SPLOST projects.

SPLOST 2005 Program Management - Jordan, Jones and Goulding (JJ&G)
Don Martin - Program Manager

SPLOST IV & 2000 Program Management - Heery International, Inc.
Kevin Hamby - Program Manager

Phone: (706) 613-3025 / Fax: (706) 613-3944
Mail:SPLOST Program Management
City Hall
301 College Avenue, Suite 101
Athens, GA 30601

For more information about both the SPLOST IV and SPLOST 2000 Programs, read the SPLOST IV Progress Reports and the SPLOST 2000 Progress Reports.