Voting is underway for the March 18 Special Election in Washington County.
Countywide, all citizens may make their voices heard on a pair of questions on the special election ballot.
Voters will be asked to choose “Yes” or “No” on the continuation of the current 1 percent Special Purpose Local Options Sales and Use Tax. The “SPLOST” would be imposed in Washington County over a 6 year period to raise an estimated $27 million for the purpose of projects countywide and in Sandersville, Tennille, Davisboro, Deepstep, Harrison, Oconee, and Riddleville.
According to Interim County Administrator Chris Hutchings, this 1 percent sales tax has been in place since first voted into effect in the 1990’s.
Proceeds from the SPLOST would be used to pay for capital projects in the seven Washington County cities. Among other plans, countywide, it would complete the final six payments on the Washington County Jail built in 2015, make new payments for a major expansion of the Kaolin Park Recreation Complex, and help purchase law enforcement, fire, and medical vehicles and equipment.
The major recreation expansion would be new baseball, softball, track, football, and soccer fields at the Recreation Department.
“There has been growth in the Rec. Department usage making this expansion needed to accommodate activities for our youth. It will allow Washington County to host larger regional and state tournaments. The economic impact from hosting these tournaments would be very significant.”
City projects funded by the SPLOST mainly include building, street, and water/sewer system improvements and repairs.
“If not for the SPLOST, these replacement projects would otherwise have to be paid for by property taxes,” said Interim County Administrator Hutchings.
Those at the polls will also be asked to vote “Yes” or “No” on implementing an additional 1 percent Floating Local Option Sales and Use Tax to be exercised for 5 years within the special taxing district of the county to raise proceeds exclusively used to reduce Washington County and City property taxes.
If FLOST were to pass, the sales tax in Washington County would increase from 8 percent to 9 percent beginning in July of this year.
Hutchings says that proceeds from FLOST would be used to roll back the property taxes for each taxpayer.
He states that the county tax bill used to fund the hospital, Development Authority, fire departments, and public schools would be rolled back by roughly 17 percent.
According to the County Administrator, as an example, if your county property tax bill is $1,000, it would be reduced by $170 to $830. The property tax rollback would take effect next year.
With a passage of FLOST, the cities of Tennille, Davisboro, Deepstep, Riddleville, and Harrison would have their city property taxes entirely rolled back. Sandersville residents would see their city property taxes rolled back by roughly 50 percent.
Law states that FLOST must be used to roll back property taxes. It cannot be used to create a windfall for a city or county.
For questions concerning the local sales and use taxes, citizens are encouraged to contact Interim Washington County Administrator Chris Hutchings at 478-232-2950.
In a pair of county districts, voters will decide between a pair of candidates running to fill unexpired terms on the current Board of Education.
As previously reported by WACO 100, two of the five seats on the Board will be “up for grabs” during the special election.
The District 2 seat was voided by the resignation of Kristi Jenkins in November of last year. Jenkins stated that she was relocating her residence to outside of her District and would in-turn need to step down.
The Board voted to appoint Zach Webb to the position so that the spot is filled until mid-March.
Rodney Walker was voted by the Board to assume the District 4 seat last month. He takes over the position left vacant by the resignation of Melvin Williams in December.
Williams cited health concerns for his reason to renounce the seat.
According to Board of Elections Director Cathy Hagans, two candidates will seek election in both the District 2 and District 4 races.
In District 2, appointed incumbent Zach Webb will run to continue the current unexpired term through 2026. Rita Hunt will oppose him on the ballot.
This will be the second consecutive Board of Education election that includes Webb. He ran for the District 2 seat in 2022 – forcing a runoff election before being defeated by the now-resigned Jenkins.
Appointed incumbent Rodney K. Walker will also vie for election to complete the unexpired term in District 4. He finds opposition in Felicia Henderson Davis.
Only District 2 and District 4 residents will vote on these two Board of Education elections.
Here on Election Day, particular polling precincts across the county are located at the following:
– Sandersville … First Church of Nazarene at 619 North Harris Street
– Tennille … Good Shepherd Church of the Nazarene at 316 East South Central Avenue
– Deepstep … Deepstep Fire Station at 8940 Deepstep Road
– Riddleville … Old Riddleville Fire Station at 10310 Georgia Highway 231
– Oconee … Oconee Fire Station at 144 Fairbanks Street
– Harrison … Harrison City Hall at 40 North Railroad Avenue
– Warthen … Warthen Fire Station at 178 Warthen Lane
Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Tonight, tune in to WACO 100 when polls close for instant election coverage and local election results.