Comparing funding levels between SPLOST IV and the proposed SPLOST V

The proposed SPLOST V program will be considered by Henry County voters for approval next Tuesday, November 5, on Election Day. Last week, Moving Henry Forward published a look at the proposed projects. Today’s post is a comparison between the current SPLOST IV program, approved by voters six years ago in 2013, and the proposed SPLOST V program.

This article looks at SPLOST funding for Henry County only. To learn more about proposed projects by each municipality, visit our city projects post.

Transportation Projects

In SPLOST IV, $85.9 million has been allocated to transportation projects. This has included major projects like constructing the Campground Road extension, funding an interchange feasibility study and interchange justification report (IJR) for the proposed Bethlehem Road interstate exit, and building the Anvil Block Road connector.

In the proposed SPLOST V program, $77.1 million is proposed for transportation improvements. This includes major projects like widening state route 81 in Ola, widening Rock Quarry Road in Stockbridge, and completing the McDonough Parkway, dependent on the three projects being awarded federal funding.

Capital Projects

In SPLOST IV, capital projects received $52.7 million. This included constructing three new fire stations and rebuilding fire station 2 in Locust Grove, replacing and upgrading the countywide public safety radio network, providing local funds in collaboration with the Technical College System of Georgia and the city of McDonough to open Building B at the McDonough campus of Southern Crescent Technical College, and building Bud Kelley Park and Village Park at North Henry.

In the proposed SPLOST V program, $78.7 million is proposed for capital projects. Much of the increase can be explained by the inclusion of $22 million dollars for a proposed aquatic center, the most expensive project proposed in SPLOST V. Capital projects also include a proposed four police precincts, two new fire stations and rebuilding two existing fire stations, a new park in commission district IV, and a fleet replacement program for county vehicles.