Lumpkin officials hold special called meeting to discuss road improvements and maintenance

LUMPKIN COUNTY, Ga. — City and county officials met on Tuesday to discuss a potential single-county transportation special purpose local option sales tax (TSPLOST) to fund local road improvements and maintenance.

Association of County Commissioners Georgia representative, Kathleen Bowen, presented data regarding the TSPLOST to members of the City Council, Board of Commissioners, and other government officials.

Before the tax can be collected, however, it would have to be approved by voters in a March 19 referendum. If voters approve, a one percent sales tax could be collected for up to five years beginning in June 2019.

Officials decided to hold a public involvement meeting Sept. 25, at 5:30 p.m. to allow citizens to ask questions and offer ideas on which roads need to be repaired. The intersection at the end Oak Grove was discussed as one potential repair project.

Dahlonega Mayor, Sam Norton, explained that this would also give tourists and students at the University of North Georgia-Dahlonega the chance to “give back” to the county, because they contribute to increased sales in Lumpkin County, providing more funds available for road improvements. Norton also expressed the importance of listening to the citizens on which road projects should be added to the list.

The estimated timeline for TSPLOST referendum is as follows:

• August-September: County and City develops project lists with public input.
• Early September: Send letter to City of Dahlonega regarding official meeting in late September.
• Late September: Official meeting to discuss project list.
• October 2, and October 16: County and City vote on their list of projects.
• November 6, and November 20: Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) approved by the Board of Commissioners.
• December 4, and December 18: Resolution approved by the Board of Commissioners.
• February 6, 20198: Call to paper
• March 19, 2019: Election

 

 

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