This November not only will you cast a vote for the next president but also an Educational Sales Tax in Athens-Clarke. This sales tax, known as ESPLOST is a one percent tax that would be collected for the Clarke County School District. If you vote yes, the provision will remain in effect for five years.
The ESPLOST tax was first voted in favor of in 1996 and has been in effect since 1997. The tax, per the ballot , identities nine allowed uses of the SPLOST funds and are as follows:
- “Additions to, renovations of, repairs to, improvements to, and equipment for existing educational, administrative and services buildings, properties, and facilities of the School District, including, without limitation…”
- “New administrative and service facilities and professional and early learning facilities “
- “technology to be used at all educational and administrative facilities”
- “real and personal property, including but not limited to, improved or unimproved land and existing buildings for future schools…”
- “security system upgrades”
- “school buses
- sewer system upgrades
- building management systems
- capitalized expenses
Grady Newsource spoke with SPLOST contract director Gerald Arscott and confirmed that funds would not be used in Athens-Clarke nationwide search campaign for a new superintendent, but will be used in the renovation of the Old Gaines School location.
If the tax is enacted this November, collection will not begin until January 2017.
You can see the full ballot here.
