Wednesday, May , 2004

Road SPLOST split draws PTC Council ire

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com
and JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@TheCitizenNews.com

The disagreement between the governing bodies of Peachtree City and Fayette County over SPLOST funding for road improvements isn’t getting any less testy.

Last week, Peachtree City Council members expressed disappointment at a letter from County Commission Chairman Greg Dunn indicating that the city agreed to earmark 30 percent of the SPLOST proceeds for city projects, with the remainder going for projects in the county’s plan.

“I am very saddened to see that in a letter,” said Councilman Murray Weed.

Tomorrow night, the Fayette County Commission is expected to approve calling for the SPLOST to be voted on by residents in November.

The council members agreed they would prefer to have a 60-40 split of the SPLOST funds with the county. Even that is a serious concession, said Councilman Steve Rapson.

“I still feel a 60-40 split is moving far off the center line in being agreeable to reaching a number,” Rapson said.

“That’s a giant compromise,” Weed said.

A new law passed by the legislature takes effect July 1 and will force Georgia counties to be more equitable with cities when it comes to SPLOST revenue distribution, said Peachtree City Mayor Steve Brown.

“Under the old guidelines, they have the option to take anything off the list ... as they see fit,” Brown said.

Councilwoman Judi-ann Rutherford said the city hoped to continue negotiations on the SPLOST measure. She also said other financial issues with the county further down the road may ultimately be more important as far as the city is concerned.

The council voted unanimously to send a reply letter to Dunn along with a requested list of city transportation projects to be funded by the SPLOST. The letter would indicate there has been no agreement on the SPLOST funding percentages, council decided.

Brown has been vocal in trying to get more of the road sales tax. From the earliest meetings on the subject, Brown has argued that Peachtree City was getting short-changed by the county.

But the county commission maintains the transportation plan is a countywide effort, and all citizens will benefit from the massive road-building project.

Dunn could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

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