Sales Tax Vs. Property Tax

Next week Catoosa County residents will vote on keeping a tax that could generate 56 million dollars for the county.

"It's a sales tax that we are already paying and have been paying for the last 12 years a cent on the dollar," says Ken Marks, Commissioner for Catoosa County.

Catoosa County Commissioner Ken Marks has been encouraging voters to keep SPLOST.

For the last twelve years, money from the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax has generated millions of dollars for Catoosa County. In the past the money has been used to maintain public safety, roads and water sewer projects.

The fund is renewed every four years and 70 % of the last SPLOST fund is gone. On September 16th, voters can decide to renew again but at the polls the decision comes down to sales tax vs. property tax.

"If it doesnt pass we've estimated that is would take a 6 percnt millage increase on prop taxes. So as an elected official and a property owner I would rather have SLOST," says Marks.

Patti Levan says she is voting yes for SPLOST, "I think SPLOST is way better than raising property taxes."

The money was also used to build the County's Colonade Complex, Patti Levan's church meets every Sunday in one of the Colonade buildings until their church is re-built.

"I think it helps the community it gives us a place to gather, it gives the schools the quipment they need its an asset to the community," says Levan.

Now that community now has 65,000 people. Officials for SPLOST say that money has helped Catoosa County grow and over the next four years they say the money will make room for even more new projects. .

Some voters say, they want to see proof of where that money is going.

"We actually need to see some hard evidence of the SPLOST being used rather than them saying something and it is not intended or being used for that," says Timothy Miller.

There are 17 precients in Catoosa County. On September 16th the polls will be open from 7a.m until 7p.m. Fort Oglethorp residents will vote at Constitution Hall next to the Fire Department. Residents in Lakeview got to the Middle School precincts. Voters can also do advanced voting all week in Ringgold. For more information you can click on the link attached to this story.