On June 3, 2010, Governor Sonny Perdue signed the Transportation Investment Act of 2010 into law, which for the first time in Georgia’s history, permitted a regional sales tax to fund transportation projects. In 2012, each of the 12 regions in Georgia considered a referendum to impose a one percent sales tax to generate funds from that region to be used for transportation improvement projects in the same region known as TSPLOST. TSPLOST did not pass in the middle Georgia region in the referendum held July 31, 2012. On May 4, 2015, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal signed the Transportation Funding Act of 2015 into law, which modified and expanded the transportation sales tax that was originally created by the Transportation Investment Act of 2010 (TIA 2010).
Under the Transportation Funding Act of 2015, each region where a TSPLOST was not already in place would re-initiate the process if a majority of the counties in the region passed resolutions to do so. In Middle Georgia, four counties (Houston, Monroe, Putnam, and Twiggs) passed resolutions in opposition to the re-initiation process. Seven counties (Baldwin, Crawford, Jones, Macon-Bibb, Peach, Pulaski, and Wilkinson) passed resolutions in favor of the re-initiation process. Even though four counties were opposed to restarting the process, once the process started, all counties fully participated and are included on the Regional Investment List and the local share.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_accordion admin_label=”Accordion” toggle_font_size=”16″ body_font_size=”14″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] [et_pb_accordion_item title=”GENERAL QUESTIONS”]WHAT IS TSPLOST AND WHY IS IT NEEDED?
TSPLOST stands for Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax and it is a one-percent, ten-year sales tax to fund transportation projects. It was created through the Transportation Investment Act of 2010, passed by the Georgia General Assembly, to provide additional funding for transportation improvements, if it is approved by the voters.
WHAT COUNTIES ARE IN MIDDLE GEORGIA?
The middle Georgia region consists of Baldwin, Crawford, Houston, Jones, Macon-Bibb, Monroe, Peach, Pulaski, Putnam, Twiggs and Wilkinson Counties.
WHO DETERMINED HOW MUCH WOULD BE RAISED BY THE SALES TAX IN MIDDLE GEORGIA?
By law, the State Economist made sales tax projections for every region of the state that the Executive Committee and Roundtable were required to use. The calculations factored in historic sales tax collections, population trends and income trends.
HOW MUCH IS EXPECTED TO BE RAISED?
The State Economist projected that a one-percent, ten-year sales tax would generate $637 million in Middle Georgia.
HOW WILL THE MONEY BE SPENT?
Seventy-five percent of the funds raised will fund projects on the Regional Investment List approved by the Roundtable.
Twenty-five percent of the funds raised will be distributed to cities and counties for transportation projects, such as new road construction, resurfacing, bridge repair, airport improvements, etc., in their jurisdiction
These percentages were set by the Transportation Investment Act of 2010.
WILL TSPLOST RAISE PROPERTY TAXES?
No. TSPLOST is a sales tax, it is not a property or ad valorem tax.
WILL TSPLOST AFFECT A COUNTY’S SPLOST PROJECTS?
No. SPLOST is a county level special purpose local option sales tax that a wide variety of eligible project types, including but not limited to transportation improvements.
HOW LONG DOES TSPLOST LAST AND CAN IT BE RENEWED?
Under state law, TSPLOST is a 10-year tax and it can be renewed by the voters after the initial period.
CAN A SINGLE COUNTY OR SUBGROUP OF COUNTIES HAVE A TSPLOST?
A single-county TSPLOST is allowed under the Transportation Funding Act of 2015. Under a single-county TSPLOST, all the funds generated in the county must be spent in the county and projects must be entirely within the county boundary. Neighboring counties can coordinate on single-county TSPLOST, but the tax must be approved by each county and any projects that cross county lines must be on both project lists. The vote on May 22, 2018 is for the Regional TSPLOST, not a single county TSPLOST.
[/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”DECISION MAKERS”]WHO IS ON THE ROUNDTABLE AND THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE?
By law, the Middle Georgia Regional Transportation Roundtable had 22 members; two representatives from each county which included the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners from each county, Pulaski County Sole Commissioner, Mayor of Macon-Bibb County and a Mayor from each county elected by the mayors of each county. For Macon-Bibb County, the Board of Commissioners elected a member of the Board to serve as their second representative.
| Local Government | Name |
| Baldwin County | Chairman Sammy Hall |
| City of Milledgeville | Mayor Gary Thrower |
| Crawford County | Chairman Paul Chapman |
| City of Roberta | Mayor Becky Smith |
| Houston County | Chairman Tommy Stalnaker |
| City of Warner Robins | Mayor Randy Toms |
| Jones County | Chairman Chris Weidner |
| City of Gray | Mayor Stephen Tingen/ Ed Barbee |
| Macon-Bibb County | Mayor Robert Reichert |
| Macon-Bibb County | Commissioner Larry Schlesinger |
| Monroe County | Chairman Greg Tapley |
| City of Forsyth | Mayor Eric Wilson |
| Peach County | Chairman Martin Moseley |
| City of Byron | Mayor Larry Collins |
| Pulaski County | Commissioner Butch Hall |
| City of Hawkinsville | Chairman James Colson |
| Putnam County | Chairman Stephen Hersey |
| City of Eatonton | Mayor Walter Rocker |
| Twiggs County | Chairman Ken Fowler |
| City of Jeffersonville | Mayor Charles Williams |
| Wilkinson County | Chairman Mark Dupree |
| City of Irwinton | Mayor Roger Bacon |
Executive Committee of the Regional Roundtable
By law, five members of the Regional Roundtable were elected by the Roundtable to serve as voting members of the Executive Committee. Two members of the House of Representatives, and one Senator from among the Middle Georgia legislative delegation were appointed by the House and Senate Transportation Committee Chairs, respectively to serve as non-voting members of the Executive Committee.
| Local Government | Full Name/ Title |
| Baldwin County | Chairman Sammy Hall |
| Houston County | Chairman Tommy Stalnaker- Vice Chair |
| Macon-Bibb County | Chairman Robert Reichert- Chair |
| City of Forsyth | Mayor Eric Wilson |
| City of Jeffersonville | Mayor Charles Williams |
| Region {non-voting) | Representative Robert Dickey |
| Region {non-voting) | Representative Bubber Epps |
| Region {non-voting) | Senator John Kennedy |
| Region {non-voting) | Senator David Lucas |
HOW OFTEN DID THE ROUNDTABLE AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEET?
The Roundtable met three times between September 2016 and December 2017. The Executive Committee met 11 times between June and November 2017. The minutes of all meetings are on www.middlegeorgiarc.org
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF GDOT IN TSPLOST?
Throughout the Roundtable process, GDOT Office of Planning and the TIA Office have provided technical assistance to the Executive Committee. Specifically, GDOT reviewed every project to understand the scope of the project and to validate the cost estimates. GDOT also presented state projects for consideration by the Executive Committee. Lastly, throughout this process GDOT committed an additional $135 million in new funding to support the completion of the Regional Investment List projects.
If the TSPLOST is approved, GDOT will have responsibility to deliver the program and projects over the 10-year period. On an individual basis, a local government can elect to administer a project on the Regional Investment List.
WILL GDOT RECEIVE FUNDING FROM TSPLOST?
Yes. If TSP LOST is approved, GDOT will be responsible for delivering the program and projects. A program administration fee (4.8%) will be paid to GDOT from the Regional portion (75%) of the TSPLOST proceeds.
WHAT ROLE DOES THE MIDDLE GEORGIA REGIONAL COMMISSION PLAY IN TSPLOST?
The Middle Georgia Regional Commission provided administrative and technical support to the Regional Transportation Roundtable and the Executive Committee throughout the entire process. Specifically, since 2015, the Regional Commission
- Managed establishment of the Roundtable;
- Coordinated comments to GDOT on the investment criteria;
- Provided meeting space and administrative support for the Regional Roundtable and Executive Committees;
- Provided data verification regarding road mileage, population and other data;
- Provided technical assistance to local governments on project development/submission;
- Provided technical assistance to the Executive Committee and Regional Roundtable on project selection and planning; and,
- Provided information on the projects and process.
DID THE MGRC RECEIVE FUNDING FROM TSPLOST?
No. The Regional Commission did not receive any funds for the work completed to support the Regional Roundtable and Executive Committee. If TSPLOST is approved, the Regional Commission will not receive funding.
[/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”REGIONAL INVESTMENT LIST”]WHERE DID THE REGIONAL INVESTIVIENT LIST COME FROM?
Projects on the Regional Investment List were initially submitted by the cities, counties and MPOs of Middle Georgia to the Middle Georgia Regional Commission. After reviewing for completeness, the Regional Commission sent the list to the Georgia Department of Transportation to review and determine if the projects met the Investment Criteria for Middle Georgia. In total, 218 projects totaling $1.8 billion were submitted. and were included on the unconstrained project list.
The Executive Committee then reviewed every project on the unconstrained project list. The Executive Committee first identified large-scale, regionally-significant projects. After selecting those projects for the Draft Investment List, the Executive Committee asked each city and county to prioritize their projects. The top projects of each jurisdiction are included on the Regional Investment List to the budgetary limit established by the State Economist projections.
CAN THE LIST OF PROJECTS BE CHANGED?
No. The Regional Investment List was approved by the Regional Transportation Roundtable on December 13, 2017 and cannot be changed.
CAN NEW PROJECTS BE ADDED AFTER TSPLOST BEGINS?
No. New projects cannot be added to the Regional Investment List during the term of the tax.
WHO WILL CONSTRUCT THE PROJECTS ON THE INVESTMENT LIST?
Georgia Department of Transportation is responsible for making sure that all projects on the Investment List are constructed. They can do this by contract with a private firm or local government.
IF PASSED, WHEN WILL THE PROJECTS START?
As required by law, the Regional Roundtable assigned each project to a schedule over the 10- year period. The three bands are: 2018-2022; 2023-2025; 2026-2028. Projects were assigned to the various bands based on several factors, such as revenue projections during the period, project cost, and project readiness. This structure will allow GDOT to more easily deliver the projects during the 10-year period.
WHAT HAPPENS IF NOT ENOUGH FUNDS ARE GENERATED FOR THE PROJECTS? WILL ALL PROJECTS GET FUNDED?
The State Economist provided revenue projections based on historic sales tax collections, population trends and income trends. They are considered conservative/low-growth projections; however, they are still estimates. If the revenues are lower than the projected amounts, GDOT will work with the local government to (a) identify other potential funding sources to fund the difference and/or (b) modify the project to fit the budgeted funds.
Each project has a cost estimate that has been Confirmed by GDOT for accuracy. The cost estimate, adjusted for inflation, represents the maximum amount of TSPLOST funds that can be invested on each project. If the project bids are higher than the budgeted amount, GDOT will work with the local government to (a) identify other potential funding sources to fund the difference and/or (b) modify the project to fit the budgeted funds.
[/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”REFERENDUM”]WHEN WILL THE ELECTION BE HELD?
The TSPLOST election will be held in conjunction with the General Primary Election on May 22, 2018.
IF APPROVED, WHEN WILL THE SALES TAX BEGIN AND END?
If approved on May 22, 2018, the sales tax would begin October 1, 2018 and continue for 10 years or until the amount projected by the State Economist is collected, whichever is sooner.
WHAT WILL BE THE QUESTION ON THE BALLOT?
The ballot language comes from OCGA 48-8-244. It will not include the list of projects.
“Shall ___ County’s transportation system and the transportation network in this region and the state be improved by providing for a 1 percent special district transportation sales and use tax for the purpose of transportation projects and programs for a period of ten years?”
CAN WE VOTE TO STOP TSPLOST AFTER IT HAS STARTED?
No.
DO ALL COUNTIES IN THE REGION NEED TO VOTE ‘YES’ TO ENABLE TSPLOST?
No. If a majority of the votes cast in the election are in favor, then the TSPLOST will go in to effect in all 11 counties.
WHAT IF A COUNTY VOTES ‘NO’?
Even if a single county votes “no”, if a majority of the votes cast in the election are in favor, then the TSPLOST will go in to effect in all 11 counties.
WHAT IF A COUNTY DOES NOT APPROVE THE TRANSPORTATION SALES TAX ON MAY22, 2018?
County voting results will be combined to produce a regional total. If a majority of the votes cast in the region’s election are in favor, then it is considered passed, and the sales tax is imposed in the entire region (all 11 counties).
WHAT WAS THE VOTE IN 2012?
| Count | Percent | |
| Yes | 35,403 | 43.9% |
| No | 45,316 | 56.1% |
WHERE DID IT PASS IN 2012?
Bibb, Twiggs and Wilkinson Counties.
ARE THERE PENALTIES FOR THE REGION NOT PASSING THE TAX?
No. Currently, local governments must match Local Maintenance Improvement Grants (LMIG) from the state with 30 percent from local funds. If TSPLOST is approved; however, the match requirement will be reduced to 10 percent for all local governments in the region.
[/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”LOCAL SHARE”]IF PASSED, WHEN AND WHAT CAN A LOCAL GOVERNMENT USE THE LOCAL SHARE FUNDS FOR?
Each local government will determine how they spend the local share of TSPLOST funds within the definition of transportation projects. This could include resurfacing, stripping, signage and safety improvements, construction of new transportation projects, including but not limited to roads, bridges, bike/pedestrian paths, and airports.
Once the sales tax collection begins (October 2018), each local government will receive monthly sales tax payments from the Georgia Department of Revenue until the tax ends.
WILL THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN THE COUNTIES WHERE THE TPLOST IS NOT APPROVED, STILL RECEIVE LOCAL SHARE FUNDS IF WE DO NOT PASS THE TSPLOST?
If the referendum is approved, then all local governments will receive the local share of the TSPLOST, regardless of how the county voted.
HOW MUCH REVENUE WILL THE TSPLOST LOCAL GOVERNMENT SHARE BE FOR EACH GOVERNMENT?
Based on the revenue projections, 2017 population estimates and road mileage the table below summarizes the revenue Over the 10-year period. Actual amounts of the local share will be based on actual revenue collections and annual updates to both the population and road mileage data.
| Jurisdiction | Population* | Total Mileage** | Total 10 year |
| BALDWIN COUNTY | 26,211 | 383.0 | $10,023,132 |
| MILLEDGEVILLE | 18,933 | 100.0 | $3,395,893 |
| MACON BIBB COUNTY | 152,760 | 1,132.0 | $34,475,264 |
| CRAWFORD COUNTY | 11,330 | 342.2 | $8,176,543 |
| ROBERTA | 992 | 8.0. | $237,999 |
| HOUSTON COUNTY | 53,919 | 510.0 | $14,571,919 |
| CENTERVILLE | 7,615 | 45.0 | $1,469,855 |
| PERRY | 16,200 | 116.0 | $3,567,988.’ |
| WARNER ROBINS | 74,388 | 338.0 | $12,147,806 |
| JONES COUNTY | 25,355 | 474.0 | $11,948,224 |
| GRAY | 3,298 | 26.0 | $776332 |
| MONROE COUNTY | 23,002 | 467.0 | $11,644,300 |
| CULLODEN | 179 | 5.0 | $120,337 |
| FORSYTH | 4,125 | 47.0 | $1,28,525 |
| PEACH COUNTY | 12,879. | 214.0 | $5,486,593 |
| BYRON | 5,133 | 57.0 | $1,571,077 |
| FORT VALLEY | 8,643 | 54.0 | $1,731,934 |
| PULASKI COUNTY | 5,842 | 267.0 | $6,186,546 |
| HAWKINSVILLE | 5,409 | 37.0 | $1,153,641 |
| PUTNAM COUNTY | 14,922 | 425.0 | $10,209,769 |
| EATONTON | 6,555 | 62.0 | $1,771,497 |
| TWIGGS COUNTY | 7,001 | 324.0 | $7,501,589 |
| JEFFERSONVILLE | 950 | 12.0 | $322,337 |
| DANVILLE | 220 | 5.0 | $122,979 |
| WILKINSON COUNTY | 4,443 | 337.0 | $7,619,676 |
| ALLENTOWN | 161 | 4.2 | $101,769 |
| GORDON | 1,952 | 28.0 | $735,067 |
| IRWINTON | 568 | 9.0 | $232,443 |
| IVEY | 920 | 17.0 | $429,209 |
| MCINTYRE | 616 | 12.0 | $300,818 |
| TOOMSBORO | 444 | 4.0 | $115,649 |
| TOTAL | 494,935 | 5,861.4 | $159,436,712 |
*Based on 2016 Census Estimates
**Based on 2017 GDOT Report 7/25/2017
[/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”OTHER QUESTIONS”]WILL MIDDLE GEORGIA SALES TAX MONEY BE SPENT ON PROJECTS SOMEWHERE ELSE IN GEORGIA?
No. All the sales tax revenue generated by Middle Georgia will be spent on transportation projects wholly within Middle Georgia.
HOW WILL CITIZENS KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE SALES TAX IF IT IS APPROVED?
If the sales tax is approved, a Citizens Review Panel will be created. The Panel will have five members, three appointed by the Speaker of the House and two appointed by the Lieutenant Governor. They must be residents of Middle Georgia. They will meet at least three times per year to review progress, monitor the program and report to the citizens and the General Assembly.
[/et_pb_accordion_item] [/et_pb_accordion][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]