Vote For Or Against Continuation Of E-SPLOST Tax This November

By LYDIA BERGLAR
News Editor

At a short and sweet special called meeting on July 22, the Dade County Board of Education approved a sales tax referendum to be included on the November ballot.

Josh Ingle (superintendent) highlighted that this is not a new tax: If passed, it will be a continuation of the already existing E-SPLOST (Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax).

Ingle also noted that the cap for E-SPLOST VII is $26 million, up from E-SPLOST VI’s $16 million cap. (We’re currently in VI; this referendum is for VII.) Based on current collections, the school system is projected to reach the VI cap two or three quarters before the five-year collection period ends.

Jayne Griffin (At-Large representative) explained her favorable view of this tax, saying that instead of the burden falling solely on local taxpayers, visitors and passers-through contribute significantly to this tax.

Noting that the increased cap indicates economic growth, Jennifer Hartline (Sand Mountain representative) asked how the state determines the cap. Ingle explained that the state takes the average from the previous 12 or 18 months of collections and multiplies by 60.

As always, these special sales tax funds can only be used for specific purposes. The referendum lists the following:

• Work on existing buildings: “demolishing, adding to, renovating, repairing, improving, equipping, and furnishing existing school buildings or other buildings or facilities useful or desirable in connection therewith including, but not limited to, HVAC, roofing, electrical, paving, fencing, cafeterias and flooring”
• New technology purchases: “acquiring new technology equipment, software, security and safety equipment, and other school equipment”
• Textbooks and instruments: “purchasing textbooks and band instruments”
• New buildings: “acquiring, constructing, and equipping new school buildings and facilities, including a new multipurpose facility”
• Transportation: “purchasing school buses, school vehicles, drivers education vehicles and maintenance equipment”
• Property purchases: “acquiring land; and (vii) acquiring any property necessary or desirable therefor, both real and personal”
• Debt payments: “paying any general obligation debt of the School District issued in conjunction with the imposition of such sales and use tax”

Ingle also highlighted the language in the referendum that allows the board to issue bonds. The board has not had to use bonds under E-SPLOST VI, but that same language is included again so that in case of an emergency (like a natural disaster), the board can issue bonds.

The bond limit increases each year. If passed, the board can issue bonds up to:

• $2,895,000 in 2027
• $3,040,000 in 2028
• $3,195,000 in 2029
• $3,350,000 in 2030
• $3,520,000 in 2031