Oliver confident March SPLOST referendum will pass

GAINESVILLE - The subject was the next Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax referendum Monday night at a meeting of the Joint Local Government Association in Gainesville, but at least one elected official expressed confidence it will pass.

Amid some concern that voters might oppose SPLOST 6 when it comes up on a March referendum ballot next year, Hall County Commission Chairman Tom Oliver expressed confidence that it would pass.

"It'll be a real disservice to our future generation if we don't pass this, and we will," Oliver said.

SPLOST 6 would support $240 million worth of capital funds projects for Hall County and the cities of Gainesville, Oakwood, Flowery Branch, Clermont, Gillsville, Buford and Braselton for six years if approved by the voters.

Oakwood City Manager Stan Brown said he wanted more information about sewer project funding for his city, and also sales tax revenue distribution.

"I'm really more concerned at this point about the sewer projects and whether city projects would be eligible for funding under that program," Brown said.

All municipal representatives present at the meeting hosted by the City of Gainesville at the Fair Street Neighborhood Center indicated support for SPLOST, but Clermont Councilman John Brady said he’s heard voters might oppose it because they are "tired of taxes."

Oliver said a SPLOST oversight committee like the one in place in Gwinnett County could be considered. He added that everyone who buys anything in Hall County pays the extra penny on the dollar tax for capital improvements that will benefit the county and the cities for years to come.