SPECIAL ELECTION 2023
The continuation of a Jones County one-cent Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax for Education is on the ballot for the March 21 Special Election.
Early voting will continue through Friday, March 17, at the Jones County Elections Office in the Government Center. Early voting takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The education SPLOST is the only item on the ballot for the March 21 Special Election, and all Jones County precincts will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the election.
Big ticket items that have been paid with the current SPLOST funds include the Jones County College and Career Academy, JCHS renovations and additions, athletic facilities upgrades, pre-K multi-purpose building and gym, Agriculture/FFA livestock barn, annual additions the bus fleet and the new bus lot. Turner Woods and Gray Elementary schools were both constructed with ESPLOST funds.
The March 21 Special Election is not for a new tax but the continuation of the penny sales tax that is already in place. The one-cent tax is charged on everything purchased in Jones County and includes residents and anyone passing through who purchases gas, shops or eats in local restaurants.
Board of Education members briefly discussed the sales tax at the conclusion of a March 9 work session. Superintendent Charles Lundy said a lot of projects that have been paid for with ESPLOST funds may not have been possible without it.
Board Chairman Ginger Bailey pointed out that, without the sale tax funds, Jones County taxpayers would have to pay more for school improvements and education expenses.
Board member Dr. Nancy Nash said she likes the ESPLOST because it is a fair tax that is paid by everyone. The projects the sales tax funds can be used for are listed on the ballot.
The question on the ballot states:
Shall the special 1 percent sales and use tax for education currently in effect in Jones County be continued for a period of time not to exceed 20 calendar quarters and for the raising of not more than $23,000,000 for the purposes of acquiring, constructing, repairing, improving, renovating, adding-to, extending, upgrading, furnishing, and/or equipping school buildings, athletic and/or support facilities, and/or infrastructure in the Jones County School District useful or desirable in connection therewith, including acquiring any necessary property therefore, both real and personal, including, but not limited to (1) renovating, adding-to, furnishing, and/or equipping Dames Ferry Elementary School, adding a greenhouse and other renovations to Clifton Ridge and Gray Station, renovations for the greenhouse at Jones County High School and adding additional instructional units for classroom and lab space; (2) renovating, adding-to, and equipping Old Gray Elementary School to centralize support facilities, central office facilities, and Pre-K; (3) acquiring equipment for the physical education, athletic, and/or music departments, including band equipment, acquiring a new JROTC facility and air rifle range, library and/or HVAC renovations; (4) acquiring textbooks and technology, safety, security, and/or fire protection equipment; (5) demolition, site work, and/or renovations to existing school sites and facilities; (6) acquiring buses, vehicles, and/or transportation equipment; (collectively, the “Projects”); and/or (7) paying capitalized interest, costs of issuing the below described Bonds, debt service on the Bonds, and/or paying expenses incident to accomplishing the foregoing?
If continuation of the tax is approved by the voters, such vote shall also constitute approval of the issuance of general obligation debt of the Jones County School District in the principal amount of up to $8,000,000, repayable from the proceeds of the aforesaid sales and use tax, for the purpose of funding such portions of the above projects as may be acquired, constructed, and equipped with the proceeds of general obligation debt.
