The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners approved the capitol project list recommended by CEO Michael Thurmond to be funded by a one-penny sales tax increase. County residents will decide on a referendum for the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, or SPLOST on Nov. 7.
The commissioners voted 5-2 to pass the project list, with Commissioners Nancy Jester and Jeff Rader opposed.
Nearly 60 percent of the $388 million expected to be generated over the next six years for the county will go toward transportation projects, with more than $151 million for road resurfacing. Funding will also go to new fire stations and police cars as well as the renovation of parks, libraries, senior centers and health centers.
“This is a transformational moment for DeKalb County,” Thurmond said. “The county and its 12 cities are in agreement on a plan to work together for all of DeKalb citizens. With the support of the DeKalb legislative delegation which passed enabling SPLOST legislation earlier this year, we will be able to improve the quality of life for all residents.”
DeKalb cities will receive $249 million for projects within their jurisdictions.
Thurmond added, “The final project list was developed with full participation of the Board of Commissioners.”
If passed by voters on Nov. 7, the sales tax revenues will be allocated to the following categories:
- Transportation – $240.3 million
- Road resurfacing – $151.3 million
- Matching funds for state and federal projects – $25.5 million
- Pedestrian improvements – $14.5 million
- Transportation enhancements – $9 million
- Multi-use trails – $7 million
- Bridge repairs – $7 million
- Sidewalks – $4 million
- Traffic signals – $2.4 million
- Community Improvement Districts matching funds – $1.5 million
- Corridor beautification – $1.3 million
- Public transportation shelters – $150,000
- Transportation project management – $9.7 million
- Commission district projects – $7.1 million
- Public safety – $84.7 million
- Repair, replace and construct fire stations – $44.3 million
- Upgrade fire radio system – $1.5 million
- Purchase fire quick response units – $2 million
- Repair and replace police precincts and facilities – $2.9 million
- Purchase police vehicles – $5.6 million
- Repair or replace Bobby Burgess building – $27.3 million
- Planning and design for public safety training facility – $1.2 million
- Parks and recreation repairs – $37.3 million
- Athletic fields (repair) – $11.7 million
- Renovate athletic and recreation facilities – $8.4 million
- Parks, playgrounds and recreational areas (repair) – $6.9 million
- Pools and other aquatic facilities (repair) – $4 million
- Resurfacing trails and paved areas – $3 million
- Golf courses (repair) – $1 million
- Tennis court resurfacing – $2.3 million
- Stream bank restoration/drainage and stormwater improvements – $200,000
- General repairs – $20 million
- County courthouse administrative complex, including parking – $16.5 million
- General senior center repairs – $1 million
- Repair county-owned health care facilities – $1 million
- General library repairs – $1.5 million