Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is a local option sales tax?

Since 1996, school systems in Georgia have been allowed to place a referendum before taxpayers for a special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST). This one-cent sales tax must be used for capital improvements and long-term debt reduction from previous bonds. This funding source has enabled school districts across the state to build and renovate schools, upgrade technology, and reduce long-term debt. The sales tax is a pay-as-you-go plan that uses tourism and purchasing dollars to fund major capital improvements while reducing the tax rate for property owners. SPLOST expires after five years unless citizens vote to renew.

Does the school system need more schools?

In the past two years, Fulton County schools enrollment increased by 10,000 new students. The system currently houses students in 600 portable classrooms. By 2012, 19,000 new students are forecasted to enroll in our schools. These increases, coupled with new class-size reduction requirements and instructional-program requirements, continue to leave a gap between classrooms and enrollment. To continue providing a high quality education for all our students, we need more classrooms, technology, and other facility improvements that support learning and build better communication between home and school.

Isn’t the one-cent sales tax already in place?

Yes, but the c urrent SPLOST will expire on June 30, 2007. To continue the sales tax for five more years, voters must once again give their approval.

Why should those who do not have children in school be interested in this vote?

Schools are an investment in a community’s future. The one-cent sales tax keeps property taxes down and avoids creating long-term debt that would incur if the system were to issue bonds for capital improvements. Today’s students will be tomorrow’s taxpayers, workers, and leaders. To prepare them for the future, our children need high quality schools. The School Board’s decision to call for a sales tax referendum continues the tradition of planning for our community’s future.

Has Fulton been a good steward of taxpayers’ money?

The Fulton County Board of Education’s proven record of sound financial management has earned the school system an Aa2 rating with Moody’s Investors Services and a AA rating with Standard and Poors Rating Services. Letters from these rating services credit the school system with solid capital planning, effective management of the annual budget, and sound long-term debt practices. A growing economic base in Fulton County speaks well for the school system’s future prospects. The School Board has further improved efficiencies by hiring Parsons, a company with an international reputation for excellence, to oversee the capital building program.

What impact will this tax have on me?

Because of the community’s support of the sales tax in 1997 and 2002, the School Board has been able to build new schools and renovate existing schools. At the same time, property taxes have been lowered and long-term debt reduced. If approved in 2007, your sales tax will remain the same as it has been for the past ten years and the millage rate on your property tax will continue to be the lowest in the metropolitan area.

 

 

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