What is MSPLOST and how is it different from the SPLOST that was on the ballot in November 2020?

SPLOST (the referendum on the ballot in November 2020) has been a fixture in Cobb County for decades and provides funding to a variety of county agencies for projects, including public safety projects, parks, libraries, and information services/technology as well as transportation.

MSPLOST is very similar but provides dedicated funding for transit and possibly surface transportation projects. In the last few years, Georgia passed House Bill 930 (transit) and House Bill 170 (surface transportation), which gives the county the option to put this dedicated transit/transportation funding source to a vote. HB930 creates the opportunity for a funding source dedicated to transit and House Bill 170 creates the opportunity for a funding source dedicated to surface transportation.

What are the options for MSPLOST?

Both House Bills allow for a great deal of flexibility regarding the amount and the duration that money is collected, providing a multitude of possibilities. Specifically, HB930 allows the county to implement up to 1 percent for up to 30 years for transit.  Likewise, HB170 allows the county to implement up to 1 percent for up to 5 years for surface transportation projects. So, the options range from ¼ for 1 year to 1 percent for the full duration allowed under each bill. To complicate things further, the county has the option to implement both House Bills with the MSPLOST or a single House Bill.

The primary questions facing the county and its residents at this point include:

• Should the county include both House Bills (transit and surface transportation) in the MSPLOST referendum or go with a transit only option?
• How much of the 1 percent should be included in the referendum?
• How long should the percent sales tax be collected?

Why would we consider additional SPLOST funding for surface transportation when we just passed the SPLOST renewal in November 2020, which included funds for transportation?

The SPLOST referendum approved by voters in November 2020 provides funding for several county agencies, one of which is transportation. More than half of the portion of funding allocated to transportation is slated to pay for resurfacing and infrastructure preservation with minimal investments in trails, sidewalks, safety and operational improvements, and larger road projects. MSPLOST funding for surface transportation would allow for additional investment in these types of projects.

When will voters see a referendum on the ballot?

The county’s goal is to put forth a referendum for voters on the November 2022 ballot.

What MSPLOST option will be used for the referendum?

County leaders want to gather more input from the public before deciding on what the referendum will include. Currently, the board anticipates having a referendum drafted in January 2022. Once the referendum details are established, the county will have a better idea as to the amount of revenue to expect. The next step will then be to flesh out the details of where the money will go.