Stephens County, Municipalities Work on Next SPLOST Projects

SPLOST VI talks are underway in Stephens County.

Officials from Stephens County and the cities of Toccoa, Martin, and Avalon gathered recently at the Historic Stephens County Courthouse in downtown Toccoa for their first joint meeting.

Those officials received initial projections on SPLOST VI from Stephens County Administrator Phyllis Ayers. Currently, Ayers is projecting  the next SPLOST will generate revenue of $18.5 million to $21.2 million over a six year period.

Toccoa City Manager Mike Jackson said the city’s top priority are water and sewer projects.  Other city priorities include road resurfacing, renovating the Schaefer Center, acquiring property for a new police department, and replacing vehicles.

As for Stephens County, Commission Chairman Stanley London says the county is still finalizing its prioritized list.  However, he says the county’s top priority is clearly providing money to fix roads and bridges.

The town of Martin plans to use their share of the next SPLOST to build a new fire substation and renovate some downtown buildings, according to Martin Mayor Don Foster.

Foster said they will also use part of the next SPLOST to continue to upgrade and improve their water system

And the community of Avalon is planning to renovate their town hall on Tower Road with their share of SPLOST VI monies.

Stephens County is asking for 75 percent of the next SPLOST revenue, which leaves 25 percent to divide among the municipalities.

Another SPLOST intergovernmental meeting is scheduled for next month.