The comment by a Catoosa County official that Fort Oglethorpe has millions of dollars for sewers stashed away that it could use to complete the West Chickamauga sewer project has stepped up a war of words.
Fort Oglethorpe Councilman Steve Brandon asked City Manager Ron Goulart about the millions in special purpose local option sales tax revenues supposedly set aside, and where they might be used.
“We may have $3.5 million, but $2 million or more of that to make needed current system upgrades required by the sewer system evaluation and survey,” Mr. Goulart said.
He said the city has other sewer project needs, and the city allocated some SPLOST funds for police vehicles and other items during the five-year cycle.
“The council promised our citizens where SPLOST funds received by the city would be used when the referendum vote was taken,” Mr. Goulart said.
The city manager said Fort Oglethorpe officials have not suggested the county use its SPLOST funds earmarked for recreation, fire equipment or courthouse renovation be used instead on roads and bridges.
“I can only imagine the reaction of county officials if we suggested such a transfer to them, but their comments suggest we use all SPLOST funds for new sewers,” Mr. Goulart said.
County Commissioner Bobby Winters said last month he had been told about the Fort Oglethorpe SPLOST funds, and that they could be used to complete the West Chickamauga sewer interceptor to Battlefield Parkway.
Other county officials, too, have referred to the city’s SPLOST fund reserve and suggested making the money available for the West Chickamauga interceptor.
Current estimates are that completing the interceptor south all the way to Battlefield Parkway will require another $3.3 million.
