In advance of the Nov. 5, 2024, referendum for the proposed continuation of the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) program, the Forsyth County Department of Communications has released an audio podcast mini-series pertaining to information on the SPLOST program.

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The series features four podcast episodes hosted by County Manager David McKee featuring:

• Sheriff Ron Freeman
• Fire Chief Barry Head
• Assistant County Manager Barry Lucas
• Assistant County Manager Tony Tarnacki
• Chief Financial Officer Brian Clark
• Director of Engineering John Cunard
• Parks & Recreation Director Kirk Franz
• Chamber of Commerce VP of Economic Development Alex Warner

“The podcast series really allowed for some of the County’s leaders to take a deep dive into how the SPLOST program currently impacts key areas of our county including public safety, transportation and congestion, parks and recreation, and the County’s finances,” said McKee. “The episodes also address misconceptions with SPLOST and what the program’s impact could be, if approved by voters.”

The podcast series, along with additional education resources pertaining to SPLOST, can be found at www.forsythco.com/splost. The website also features a list of projects that the SPLOST IX program would fund, if approved by voters, as well as a survey asking residents which capital project areas they would like to see prioritized with future funding sources.

Since July, nine SPLOST public information open house meetings have been held for residents to meet with County officials with a final tenth meeting set for 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 14, at Big Creek Elementary School.

“Ahead of a vote to continue the penny sales tax this year, we wanted 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.”

Election information for the Nov. 5, 2024, General Election and Special Elections can be found by clicking here.

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 November 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.