The Buzz of Greater Rome Arts / links /Health /Business / Politics / Braves / Renegades ABOUT THE 2005 SPLOST PROJECT For the third time in two years, Floyd County voters are being asked to decide the fate of a special one-cent sales tax to fund projects (19 this time) throughout the community. The schools SPLOST was widely accepted by voters in 2003 while the other one barely passed (it was closer than the stadium SPLOST vote in 2001). This new one is a proposed $36.5 million, 30-month-long special purpose local-option sales tax. It would not be an additional tax on top of what we pay; it would replace an earlier SPLOST which expires Sept. 30. Election day is Tuesday, June 21 (see voting details below). The projects have been approved by county and Cave Spring commissioners, and Rome commissioners likely will bless it tonight. The list includes something for almost every part of the community. It is an all-or-nothing vote and not a by-item or menu ballot. Some of these projects are critical concerns; others have baggage and opponents are beginning to organize. Here goes: 2005 SPLOST Package (This list has been provided by Floyd County) Industrial Park: Purchase property, install water and sewer infrastructure to serve future industrial sites. County project. Allocation: $3 million. Comment: This is the Ga. 140/53 site purchased for about $2 million earlier this year by the development authority.   E-911 Upgrade: Replace current phone system with up-to-date system. County project. Allocation: $325,000. Comment: A no-brainer and "plan B" is needed should this SPLOST fail. U.S. 411 Right of Way: Engineering and purchase of property along U.S. 411 so as to restrict access to highway and provide for future frontage roads. County project.  Allocation: $3 million. Comment: The major question being heard: why aren't the would-be developers paying to build the frontage roads? Huffaker Road: Widen and realign roadway. Allocation: $4.7 million. Burnett Ferry Road: Widen section of road; add curb, gutter and sidewalks. Rome project. Allocation: $1 million. Oostanaula Bridge: Engineering and right-of-way acquisition for a new bridge over the Oostanaula River. County project. Allocation:  $850,000.    Chulio Road/U.S. 411 Intersection: Upgrade and improve intersection. Rome project. Allocation: $400,000. Comment: Again, is growth paying for itself? More development is slated on and off Chulio Road. This is a dangerous intersection in need of work (Conflict of interest note: I travel it two or three times a day). Turner McCall Bridge Widening: Widen bridge (payment to Georgia Department of Transportation for local share of the project). Rome project. Allocation: $2 million. Comment: Perhaps one of our most critical needs. We've got to get ahead of our traffic problems now. Intersection Improvements: Various intersection improvements throughout Rome. Allocation: $1 million. Old Dalton Road: Upgrade and widen a section of the road. County project. Allocation: $4.5 million. Comment: Again, why not have developers pay a chunk of this? Old Dalton Road is a hot spot. Let growth help pay for itself. Sports Center: New center to house recreation administrative offices and gymnastics center. Rome project. Allocation: $4 million. Comment: The rumble concerning Bob Saylors' exit aside, this could be THE breaking-point issue of the SPLOST. The question: Isn't there a way to package this into the "land swap" with the Barron Stadium project? Shannon Park: Improvements to recreation park. County project. Allocation: $700,000. Midway Park: Improvements to park. County project. $1.8 million. North Floyd Park: Improvements to park. County project. Allocation: $1.8 million. East Main Community Center: Construct new community center. Rome project. Allocation: $2.2 million. City Hall, Carnegie Building and Clock Tower: Renovate each. Rome project. Allocation: $1.6 million. Blacks Bluff Road Wastewater Treatment Plant: Upgrade to the existing plant. Rome project. Allocation: $1.9 million. Cave Spring Fire Station: Construct new fire station to replace existing station. Cave Spring project. Allocation: $950,000. Comment: This one is way overdue. Cave Spring Community Center: Renovate old building donated to Cave Spring by the state for a new community center. Cave Spring project. Allocation: $775,000. How the $36.5 million would be shared by governments: Floyd County: $20,675,000 (56.7 percent) Rome: $14.1 million (38.6 percent) Cave Spring: $1,725,000 (4.7 percent)    IF PASSED: It would take effect Oct. 1 and would replace another projects-heavy SPLOST that expires on Sept. 30. This would NOT be an additional one-cent tax; it basically would extend the extra seventh cent you're paying at this time. ELECTION DAY: Tuesday, June 21. Advance voting also will be in use (we're checking on whether you can vote as early as two weeks before election day). Given the number of vacations expected then, you can be sure there will be advance and absentee voting on this issue. TO VOTE: You must register to vote by Monday, May 23, if you're currently not eligible to do so in Floyd  County. For details, click VOTE.  As of April 3, Floyd County's number of eligible voters was 41,759. RECENT SPLOSTS 2003 SCHOOLS: Voters countywide provided overwhelming support on Nov. 4, 2003, for a one-cent tax to build new schools and renovate others. Amount: $75 million. Length of tax: 60 months.  It started April 1, 2004. For more> FLOYD 2003 PROJECTS: Voters, by less than 70 ballots, approved a two-year, $26.5 million SPLOST for various city and county projects in June 2003. It started Oct. 1, 2003, and expires Sept. 30. The $36.5 million, 30-month tax now on the table would "replace" this one. 2001 STADIUM: By 142 votes, Floyd County voters approved a one-year, $15 million tax to build what is now known as State Mutual Stadium. The Rome Braves are in their third season playing there. The tax ended on June 30, 2003.
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