Community Encouraged to Attend SPLOST Information Sessions

A series of public information open house meetings, designed for resident feedback on the types of projects to be funded by the proposed continuation of the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) program, is set to begin July 24 and continue through Oct. 14.

County staff and executive leadership from various departments will be on hand at the open house meetings to speak with residents on future projects that could be funded by SPLOST IX and what the program has funded in the past as well as to answer questions and gather feedback from participants. The meetings are “drop-in” style and will have the same information provided at each meeting.

“The meetings are a great opportunity for the community to see how SPLOST funds are currently being utilized to improve traffic, enhance our parks system, bolster our public safety and first response to emergencies, and more,” said County Manager David McKee. “Ahead of a vote to continue the penny sales tax later this year, we want to provide as many opportunities as possible for residents to see proposed plans for how SPLOST IX could be utilized in the future, the role SPLOST plays in funding and to get feedback on the projects residents want to see funds used for."

A total of 10 public input meetings will be held throughout the County, all between 6 and 7:30 p.m., on the following dates:

- Tuesday, Aug. 13 – Mashburn Elementary School

- Tuesday, Aug. 27 – Sharon Forks Library

- Tuesday, Sept. 10 – Forsyth Central High School

- Thursday, Sept. 12 – East Forsyth High School

- Tuesday, Sept. 17 – Post Road Library

- Tuesday, Oct. 1 – Settles Bridge Elementary School

- Monday, Oct. 7 – Hampton Park Library

- Monday, Oct. 14 – Big Creek Elementary School

Two meetings will be held in each district to enable as many residents to attend as possible. No formal presentation will be made, and residents are encouraged to drop in at any time during the meeting hours at any of the meetings, regardless of which district they reside in.

The same information and survey provided during each open house meeting will also be available at www.forsythco.com/SPLOST, along with additional SPLOST information and resources, beginning July 24.

What is SPLOST?

Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, or SPLOST, is a special one percent voter-approved sales and use tax in Forsyth County for a specified period of time (up to six years), raising an estimated amount of revenue for designated programs or named capital projects. The sales tax has been in place in the county since 1987, when it was first approved by Forsyth County voters. Forsyth County voters have subsequently approved seven additional referendums continuing the program. SPLOST IX is scheduled to be voted on by Forsyth County voters in Nov. 2024.

What have previous SPLOST programs funded?

Past SPLOST programs have provided funding for a number of important infrastructure projects that otherwise may not have been possible. These include numerous transportation projects such as new roads, road widenings, intersection improvements and sidewalks; fire engines and fire stations; land for parks and green space; libraries; the animal shelter and more.

For a complete list of SPLOST public input meeting dates, times and locations, information and resources, as well as to provide feedback online, visit www.forsythco.com/SPLOST.