T-SPLOST could bring more road paving to the county

“Over 10 years, Madison County could be about out of the dirt,” said Dove, referring to the boost the tax would bring to the county’s paving efforts.

Right now, Madison County generates roughly $650,000 for roads annually off its six-year SPLOST. So approval of a new T-SPLOST next year could approximately triple the county’s road funding per year.

More money for roads would suit Waggoner’s Grove Church Road resident Gina Ward just fine. Ward appeared before commissioners again Feb. 28, urging the board to find a way to pave the dirt road, which has had numerous issues over the years. Ward and her neighbors have frequently informed the BOC that the road is unsafe and desperately needs to be paved. She noted that the costs of maintaining the road are increasing significantly for the county each year.

And Ward urged the board to establish a clear protocol on how to get a road paved and how priorities on road paving are established. She said many people, not just those on Waggoner’s Grove Church Road, are frustrated by the lack of a clear road-paving procedure. She said people want to see, “Here’s the list; here’s how we decide.”

“If there was a better structure for dealing with road issues … there might not be such a frustration and public outcry,” said Ward. “Cause when people start talking about their dirt roads, boy, they get very passionate.”

Commissioner John Pethel said he has the most dirt roads in district 2, adding that he pushed for the paving of two roads for years, Young Harris Road and Davids Home Church Road, which have already been graded for paving. He said he understood Ward’s concerns but has to look out for citizens on other dirt roads, too.
“If the money’s not there, it’s just not there,” said Pethel.

Commissioner Stanley Thomas agreed that the county needs to establish clear priorities and procedures for road paving. He added that citizens need to understand that funding for road paving and maintenance is very limited, saying only a small portion of property taxes is actually allocated to roads.

“Only $27.85 out of a $1,000 tax bill goes to roads,” he said.

Thomas noted that some residents on Waggoner’s Grove Church Road have pushed to pave a portion of the road, but he said the road is actually six miles. He said it’s not appropriate for the county to pave portions of roads and leave other parts unpaved, adding that such a setup could prove hazardous for motorists unfamiliar with the road.

Dove told Ward that he hopes the referendum passes and that she gets her road paved.

“But I don’t see many roads getting paved till that point,” he said.

Dove also explained Feb. 28 that the T-SPLOST would contain two components — a 25 percent pie that would be divided between participating counties and allocated as local communities see fit. This is where the projected $1.4 million annually for Madison County would be generated. Meanwhile, 75 percent of the tax would go to projects of regional interest. These projects will be included on a referendum. Dove said projects submitted under this component must already be in the planning stage. He suggested that the county push for turn lanes at Hwy. 29 and Hwy. 98 on the T-SPLOST referendum, along with upgrades on Hwy. 29. He asked commissioners and the public to offer input on potential Madison County projects that could be put forward on the referendum.

Earlier in the meeting Dove announced that the state government agreed to provide funding for the resurfacing of the following roads: Charles Hart Road, Five Points Road, Fred Goss Road, Martin Griffeth Road and Strickland Circle.