Catoosa SPLOST list runs long

RINGGOLD, Ga. — The $56 million expected to be collected if Catoosa County voters approve a new five-year special purpose local option sales tax on Sept. 16 will not cover the wish lists being written, officials said.

“We’re very, very grateful for our inclusion in SPLOST proceeds,” Jerry Lee, chairman of the Catoosa Utility District, said in a meeting with county officials. “Like everyone else, we could use more.”

Catoosa Commission Chairman Bill Clark said the commission breakdown on the distribution of funds is arbitrary.

“It represents our best estimate on balancing the needs of the county with funds we believe will be available from the 1 percent tax,” he said.

Officials have to cover projects the voters want, because the project list is a moot point if the referendum does not pass.

As the needs size up now, the largest share increase would go to transportation.

Roads, bridges and stormwater projects are to receive about $10.4 million, an increase of more than 150 percent from the $4 million in the current cycle.

“The price to widen or build new county roads is prohibitive, but we can upgrade intersections with turn lanes and accel and decel lanes,” Mr. Clark said.

Commissioners also met with Ringgold and Fort Oglethorpe officials and heard similar requests for added funding, mostly for sewer projects.

Ringgold and Fort Oglethorpe are projected to receive a 30 percent increase for city projects following the estimated 30 percent overall from the 1 percent tax over five years. The current SPLOST, which expires in 2009, should collect $43 million, while a new cycle is projected to collect $56 million between 2009 and 2014, officials said.

If the full $56 million is realized, Fort Oglethorpe would receive $7.1 million for city designated projects, up from $5.4 million in the current cycle.

Ringgold is projected to have $2.5 million for projects to be determined by the city council, an increase from $1.9 million.

Catoosa County has no sewer system, but designates specific levels of funding for sewer projects in systems operated by Ringgold and Fort Oglethorpe.

About $16 million is proposed in the new SPLOST list for sewers— $5 million in the Fort Oglethorpe’s West Chickamauga basin, and $11 million for sewer basins operated by Ringgold.

Ringgold City Manager Dan Wright provided county officials with a sewer fund proposal on five projects totaling $14.2 million.

Fort Oglethorpe Mayor Ronnie Cobb said city councilmen have taken the position the city will be progressive and aggressive in completing needed sewer projects.

“We have $9.7 million in immediate sewer project expenses,” Mr. Cobb said. “We know we will need to borrow some, so we’re not looking for a free ride. We come with our hands up, like everyone else, and appreciate what you can do for us.”

He said commissioners should understand Fort Oglethorpe’s situation on sewers.

It’s not what we want or might like with sewer projects, but a have-to situation, Mr. Cobb said.

Commissioner James Emberson said $4 million of the proposed sewer allocation in the Ringgold area is to reach the Truck City area at Interstate 75 and U.S. Highway 41.

Catoosa Utility District is projected to receive $4 million if the referendum is approved, a 60 percent increase from $2.5 million in the present SPLOST.

Mr. Lee said Catoosa Utility must absorb an increased financial burden when roads are widened and existing water lines must be moved.

“Years ago the state paid all expenses for moving utility lines, but not anymore,” he said. “We used $527,000 in SPLOST funds to move and upgrade a water line and bore under Interstate 75 where Cloud Springs Road is being widened.”

Other project areas to receive funding from the optional sales tax would be recreation, $2 million; 911, fire and rescue equipment and buildings and sheriff’s department vehicles, $5.5 million; public works vehicles, $1.5 million and public buildings, $1.2 million.

Additional projected allocations are library books and equipment, $500,000; retiring debts, including the administrative building, $2.9 million and $400,000 for the geographic information system.

“We want to do more for everyone with good, needed projects,” Commissioner Bobby Winters said. “Once the money runs out, we must stop.”