Gwinnett Seeking Citizens to Be on SPLOST Committee

Updated Aug. 26

Interesting in giving input on possible transportation projects that could result from a new SPLOST in Gwinnett? County leaders are holding a session Monday (Aug. 26) where you can get involved.

According to a county news release,  people interested in being on the Citizens Project Selection Committee can attend an organizational meeting on Monday from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville.

“The purpose of the meeting is to select members and alternates to represent six major interest groups on the committee,” Gwinnett Transportation Director Kim Conroy said in the release.

Four members will represent homeowners (one from each commission district); one representative each will represent the business community, environmental stakeholders, schools, civic organizations, and senior citizens.

Gwinnett commissioners formally have called for a public vote on a new Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, which would begin in April 2014. (The current 1 percent tax expires in March 2014.)

Gwinnett and cities leaders are now formally in accord on a three-year tax, which could generate up to $498 million. Also, both the county and the cities say they will devote most of the SPLOST funds for transportation projects.

The actual public vote will be Nov. 5.

Also, hundreds of letters have been sent inviting residents to attend the meeting and help spread the word, according to the county release.

"We need representation from all segments of the county, so we’re sending letters, talking to the media and sharing information through all the county’s communications channels, including the website,” Board Chairman Charlotte Nash.

Renewing the SPLOST would keep Gwinnett County's sales tax at 6 percent.

For more information about the SPLOST meeting, visit the county website or call the Gwinnett Department of Transportation at (770) 822-7400.

-- How do you feel about the coming SPLOST vote? Tell us in the comments below.

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