How much tax revenue should Henry County and each city receive from SPLOST VI was the topic of last Thursday’s joint meeting. The local elected officials also considered possible joint projects.
The SPLOST VI ballot question will be on voters’ ballots this November. The one-percent sales tax pays for capital projects and road improvements.
SPLOST VI Joint Meeting
Henry County and the cities must host a joint meeting, according to state law, when the SPLOST referendum is up for a vote. This is to discuss a possible intergovernmental agreement (IGA), and how to split tax proceeds. The county commissioners and city mayors met on June 27 to hold this meeting.
Present was a quorum of the county commissioners — two commissioners had schedule conflicts for the called meeting — and the mayors of McDonough and Stockbridge. Mayor Pro Temp Vincent Williams of Locust Grove represented the county’s southern-most city. Also present were Stockbridge Councilman Alexander, McDonough Councilmen Payton and Stewart, and Locust Grove Councilman Boone. There were no officials present from Hampton.
The state SPLOST law gives counties and cities an incentive to adopt an IGA. The county may ask voters for a six-year SPLOST program when there is an approved IGA. Without an agreement, the county may only ask for a five-year program. Last time, in 2019, the county and cities couldn’t come to an agreement. Thus, there’s no IGA for the current program.
The county is estimating a six-year SPLOST program would collect $470 million. A five-year program would collect an estimated $380 million. The funds come from a one-percent local sales tax in Henry County. Others have estimated 30–40% of Henry County’s sales tax revenue comes from motorists passing through on I-75; however, it would be difficult to verify that estimate.
Population Split & Tax Distribution
Sixty-eight percent (68%) of Henry County residents were unincorporated for the 2020 Census. The cities had the remaining 32%. With changes since then, especially the 2023 annexation in Stockbridge, the split is now 66% county and 34% cities. The latest numbers come from the Census Bureau’s 2023 population estimates.
Which numbers to consider when dividing the tax money was a discussion point at the joint meeting. Henry County has recommended the 2020 census numbers. The cities want Henry County to use the 2023 estimates. The more-recent numbers would give the cities about $9.4 million more in a six-year program for their projects. This difference must be ironed out in the upcoming weeks before setting a final tax distribution. If there’s no IGA, then the distribution defaults to the 2020 census.
To approve the IGA, the county needs the support from cities comprising at least 50% of the municipal population. Stockbridge and McDonough together, or any three of the four cities, would meet this threshold.
Henry County Projects & Next Steps
Henry County staff are recommending $51 million dollars in public safety projects. They include the following:
- a new animal shelter,
- fire rescue facilities & equipment, and
- new EMA / E-911 facility.
In addition, the county is considering park improvements, renovations at Hidden Valley Senior Center, and a new tag office in Locust Grove. Transportation projects will also be part of the program.
The county and cities are considering several possible joint projects. They include repaving East Atlanta Road in Stockbridge, repaving Old Highway 3 in Hampton, and intersection improvements in McDonough and Locust Grove. There are also ongoing discussions between the county and Stockbridge about locating a new senior center within the city.
The board of commissioners will consider adopting the full project list on July 30. The board of commissioners will also consider adopting the IGA and calling for the referendum on that day. The county is asking each city to approve the IGA by July 26. Finally, voters will consider the SPLOST program on the November 2024 ballot.
If voters approve SPLOST VI, then the sales tax program would begin collections on April 1, 2025. The current SPLOST program is set to end collections on March 31, 2024. The Henry County local sales tax rate is presently eight percent. There would be no change if voters approve SPLOST VI.
Featured image shows a dual-lane roundabout and SPLOST VI road sign. Special photo / Sign Maker by Brendon Strowe sign.
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