An informational session sponsored by the Jones County Republican Party presented the opportunity to find out more about the upcoming renewal of the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax and more.
It is important to note the SPLOST vote on the Nov. 4 ballot is not a new tax. It is the renewal of a one-cent tax that has existed in Jones County since 1999.
The Oct. 15 Pizza and Politics event was held in the common area between Ranchers and Scooters Coffee. Sam Kitchens was the main speaker at the event, but he made it clear at the beginning of his remarks he was there as Sam Kitchens, citizen and taxpayer, and not as a commissioner.
“I did not wear anything that has the Jones County logo. I drove my vehicle and have my phone,” he said. “As a taxpayer in the county, I can say what I want to say.”
Kitchens explained the importance of the SPLOST because it is a fair tax. He said everyone who purchases anything in the county, whether going to a football game or just passing through, pays the one-cent tax. That includes anyone who stops in Jones County and spends money at Ranchers or any of the restaurants, convenience, gas stations, retail or grocery stores. The one-cent tax is charged on all purchases in the county, and the county receives that money.
He said he has been on the board for 10 years and believes they have done a good job. The tax rate has not been raised during that time.
The speaker said Jones County does not have any industry and not a lot of retail. That means the tax burden falls on homeowners. He said the SPLOST helps pay for some of the big items and takes some of the load off the taxpayer.
Kitchens said the SPLOST has paid for numerous capital improvements over the past 25 years, including waterlines, fire trucks and equipment, sheriff’s cars and building parks and recreation complexes.
The speaker said when the SPLOST is placed on the ballot, the county has to list what the funds are going to be used for.
Kitchens said he made someone mad the other day, and they told him he was hired to do what the people wanted him to do. If he did not, he would suffer the consequences.
“I told him I did not agree. You didn’t hire me to do what you wanted me to do. You hired me to do what is best for Jones County,” he said.
He said the city and county split the last SPLOST 18-82 percent, but in the upcoming SPLOST, the city and county agreed to take funds off the top for joint projects, such as renovations for the courthouse and maintaining former state routes before splitting the funds.
Kitchens introduced commissioners John Wood, Wendy Vaughn and Chairman Chris Weidner, who were also in attendance.
The question was asked about a possible data center that has been an issue blowing up social media. Kitchens said there was an application for a data center Sept. 25 and it would come before Planning and Zoning Oct. 20. That zoning request has since been withdrawn by the applicant, according to P&Z.
Kitchens explained there are pros and cons to data centers, and commissioners are required to listen to the petitioner and those opposed to it before making a decision.
