Questions answered by Lamar Paris, County Commissioner
Q. I think you are doing a good job as commissioner but why you are spending so much money?
A. I have to assume that you are talking about SPLOST spending. That money can only be used for building capital projects in a county voted on by the citizens. All we are doing is following the wishes of the public and the law by completing these projects.
If you were not talking about SPLOST spending, I am a little confused, because I have just announced reducing property tax revenue by $ 77,000 this year and that is significant in these tough times. Prior to this year, I have lowered the property tax rate four years in a row and we have had either the first or second lowest property tax mil rate in the state for several years. We have continued to cut our spending and budget and this year will be no different. We are struggling as are all counties, but keeping cost in line with revenue has been our goal and will continue to be.
Q. So why spend so much on SPLOST projects in tough times?
A. This is a question that I have responded to a couple of times before, but here goes, because this is important. I have a vision for Union County that has been consistent since I first took office in 2001. That vision has been to take the SPLOST sales tax dollars and make Union County one of the highest quality of life counties in the state. That does not mean wasting money, but it does mean carefully choosing projects that will benefit our citizens the most.
This means that we choose projects that make this a better place to live, work, and play. It is not only for our adults, but for our kids and grand kids, because they too will need jobs soon. SPLOST sales tax dollars are made to spend, not save. In fact, the law governing SPLOST demands that projects presented to the public should be completed. This is not money that can be used for our general budget expenses because that is illegal. It can only be used to complete capital projects.
These improvements to our county are also what will help drive our economy in the future with new business, commercial, manufacturing and residential jobs. These SPLOST projects are our economic future and that of our children.
Q. What are capital projects?
A. These are projects that include roads and bridges, real estate and recreation facilities, courthouses, jails, community and civic centers, and any other project that will positively impact the citizens of the county. (ie farmers market, horse arena, library, ambulances, Sheriff’s vehicles, fire engines, rehab of older facilities, schools, water and sewer, etc) just to name a few.
Q. Who voted on the SPLOST projects?
A. If you were here in 2009 and if you voted, you did. The public overwhelmingly voted 80% to support the SPLOST projects. While some projects were named specifically, several fall into categories that are not always defined and that is the job of the commissioner and staff to determine which projects are the most worthwhile.
Q. How does a commissioner make the determination of which projects to put on the list and complete?
A. It involves spending a lot of time and research including talking to members of the public and utilizing advisory groups. Analyzing costs and anticipated revenues and making the most of the actual money spent is also necessary. Finally, staff and professionals in the field offer advice, all of which is considered prior to determining a final project list.
Q. Do most people agree with the selected projects?
A. For the most part, I think they do. This was the third SPLOST that we have passed since I have been in office and each time the support was overwhelming. I do not think we would have gotten this kind of support without the public having faith that elected officials were going to make the best decisions for the county. This included the school board, mayor and city council as well as my office.
Q. How do you determine how much the cost of operation of a new project will be?
A. When building a new project, cost of operation must be considered by making educated estimates which can be based on cost of operation of other similar projects in other counties, design guidelines, and past experience. Several counties have built new jails and have had to delay for months opening them because they could not afford all the staff that would have to be hired to operate them.
Q. Shouldn't the SPLOST law allow counties to use some of the sales tax money collected for operation of the new projects?
A. It certainly should. ACCG (Assoc. of County Commissioners of Georgia) have been lobbying the Georgia Legislature for a few years hoping to have this change made. It is once again one of our legislative priorities this coming year. We would like for up to 15% of the SPLOST funds be allowed to operate and maintain the new facilities. This would be a wonderful addition to the SPLOST program and would save the property taxpayers of Georgia a significant amount of money over the long term.