County moves forward with SPLOST proposal

Thu, 01/19/2006 - 4:30pm
By: John Thompson

Coweta County’s coffers could be nearly $127 million richer over the next six years if voters in March decide to approve the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax extension.

The Coweta County Commission gave final approval Tuesday to sending the measure to the electorate March 21. If approved, the county would receive nearly $86 million for projects, while the balance would be split among the county’s eight municipalities.

The city of Newnan would receive the lion’s share of the municipal money, with 25 percent of the proceeds. Newnan’s nearly $27 million would go towards street improvements, including the widening of the Ga. highway 34 Bypass and water plant upgrades.

One of the items that would be funded by the SPLOST extension is a $7.5 million renovation of the county’s historic courthouse in Newnan. With the new justice system set to open in May, county officials are now looking to renovate Coweta’s landmark for use as a possible welcome center or museum.

Last Friday, the city of Senoia became the first municipality to sign off on the agreement. Senoia projects include $800,000 for multi-use paths and $1 million for municipal facilities, including police department and City Hall replacement or improvements. The rest of the cities signed off on the proposal this week.

If the voters approve the measure, the extension would start Jan. 1, 2007 and run through the end of 2012.

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