No. 7 story of the year: Macon-Bibb voters pass $280 million SPLOST
Macon-Bibb County now has a source of funding for dozens of projects, thanks to voter approval of a $280 million sales tax proposal.
The 2018 special purpose local option sales tax was passed in November, with 61 percent of voters in favor of the measure. The SPLOST will be used to pay for upgrades to various recreation facilities as well as storm-water repairs, blight remediation and numerous other projects.
County officials advocated for continuing the extra penny of sales tax on the dollar that they say will help pay for capital improvements critical to the county’s future. Collections on a current $190 million SPLOST will end the same time collections on the new SPLOST begin in 2018.
The next SPLOST will also provide county officials with more leeway in case the estimated costs change on the projects.
Top 10 stories of 2016
No. 1: Seven midstate law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty
No. 2: Mercer basketball player slain outside convenience store
No. 3: Sam Poss slaying rocks Perry
No. 4: Macon Charter Academy closes after 1 year
No. 5: ‘Off by a foot’ leads to end of Macon tradition
No. 6: We’re in the grip of drought, and it just won’t rain
No. 7: Macon-Bibb voters pass $280 million SPLOST
No. 8: Road-rage-fueled shooting leaves one dead
No. 9: Tornado causes most damage in Houston since ‘94 flood
No. 10: Largest manufacturing plant in 40 years opens in Macon
This story was originally published December 23, 2016 at 12:00 PM with the headline "No. 7 story of the year: Macon-Bibb voters pass $280 million SPLOST."