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Opposers to Catoosa County 1-percent sales tax say their piece ahead of March 19 vote

Staff photo by Erin O. Smith / Eric Morrison walks into the Catoosa County Administration Building with a large sign in protest of a sales tax increase Tuesday, February 19, 2019 in Ringgold, Georgia. A group of about 10 individuals showed up to the Catoosa County Commission meeting Tuesday to voice their objection to the additional 1-percent tax increase saying it would put an extra burden on those in the community couldn't afford it, would encourage people to shop online where sales tax may not be required or cause locals to go out of town to shop.
Staff photo by Erin O. Smith / Eric Morrison walks into the Catoosa County Administration Building with a large sign in protest of a sales tax increase Tuesday, February 19, 2019 in Ringgold, Georgia. A group of about 10 individuals showed up to the Catoosa County Commission meeting Tuesday to voice their objection to the additional 1-percent tax increase saying it would put an extra burden on those in the community couldn't afford it, would encourage people to shop online where sales tax may not be required or cause locals to go out of town to shop. Staff photo by Erin O. Smith / Eric Morrison walks into the Catoosa County Administration Building with a large sign in protest of a sales tax increase Tuesday, February 19, 2019 in Ringgold, Georgia. A group of about 10 individuals showed up to the Catoosa County Commission meeting Tuesday to voice their objection to the additional 1-percent tax increase saying it would put an extra burden on those in the community couldn't afford it, would encourage people to shop online where sales tax may not be required or cause locals to go out of town to shop.

By Myron Madden 3 min read

Polls open March 19 for Catoosa County’s special election on a new 1-percent sales tax to pay for road paving and other transportation-related projects.

County officials say the Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax will generate $60 million over five years, to be split between Catoosa, Fort Oglethorpe and Ringgold based on their populations.

Over the last year, the three entities combined have received an average of about $860,000 a month from a similar 1-percent sales tax dedicated to education.

Representatives from local government have said funds from the proposed new levy could help remedy traffic-related safety hazards, help the county prepare its roads for the thousands expected to come to the area over the next decade, and potentially even lighten property tax bills a bit.

Some community members, however, are giving the new tax a thumbs-down.