Voters to decide SPLOST in Pulaski

Residents in Pulaski County will vote on whether to extend a special purpose local option sales tax Tuesday that officials say could collect about $7.2 million for city and county projects.

If the measure passes, it would not raise sales taxes above the current 7 cents on the dollar. Pulaski’s current six-year SPLOST is scheduled to end Sept. 30.

If the measure passes, “This one will just be a continuation and will pick up Oct. 1,” Pulaski County Commissioner Brooks Bailey said.

The new sales tax would fund projects such as a multipurpose facility at the Pulaski County Recreation Department, a new city hall for Hawkinsville and the renovation of the Hawkinsville Opera House.

Jerry Murkerson, city manager for Hawkinsville, said the new city hall was being considered for safety and security purposes.

“It’ll be a lot safer for our customer service representative and a lot more convenient for the public,” he said. “We also hope to have a drive-through” feature.

SPLOST funds will also be used to build satellite fire stations located so that all residents are within five miles of a station, Bailey said.

“If you’re not within five miles of your fire station, then your insurance on your house goes up a little bit,” he said. “So we’re trying to space these satellite fire stations so no one’s insurance goes up on their homes.”

Bailey said he was not aware of any objections to the proposed SPLOST.

“I think most people down here understand this is the only way we can do capital projects,” he said. “It’s hard to do capital projects without special funds, and SPLOST has been the answer for us.”

To contact writer Tiffany Stevens, call 744-4213.