In a special election on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, Bulloch County voters will decide whether to extend the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) for another six years. As of Thursday, March 13, only 1,106 voters had cast ballots in the special election, according to the Bulloch County Elections and Voter Registration Department.
This election will determine if SPLOST continues, generating an estimated $138 million without raising property taxes. Voting will take place from 7am to 7pm at your polling place. You can access an interactive map HERE to determine where that is.
Double check your voter registration HERE, and remember to take an approved ID with you:
- Any valid state or federal government issued photo ID, including a FREE Voter ID Card issued by your county registrar’s office or the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS)
- A Georgia Driver’s License
- Valid employee photo ID from any branch, department, agency, or entity of the U.S. Government, Georgia, or any county, municipality, board, authority or other entity of this state
- Valid U.S. passport ID
- Valid U.S. military photo ID
- Valid tribal photo ID
You can view a sample ballot HERE.
For more details, visit Bulloch County Elections. Read on for an explanation of SPLOST from Grice Connect's Blake Williams.
What is SPLOST?
SPLOST is a one cent sales tax that funds major county projects, think infrastructure, public safety, parks, and utilities. Unlike property taxes, which only homeowners pay, SPLOST is collected from everyone who spends money in Bulloch County. Whether you live here or are just passing through, every purchase chips in to improve the community.
Currently, Bulloch County’s total sales tax rate is 8%. Here’s where that money goes:
- 4% to the State of Georgia
- 1% to SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales tax which funds capital projects listed below - voters will decide if this funding source continues or not)
- 1% to ESPLOST (Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax for special Bulloch Schools projects)
- 1% to LOST (Local Option Sales Tax for Bulloch Schools general fund expenses)
- 1% to TSPLOST (Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax for roads and infrastructure)
What Will SPLOST Pay For?
If approved, SPLOST will fund several critical projects in Bulloch County and its cities. The total estimated revenue is $138 million, and funds will be distributed as follows:
Joint and Priority Projects ($60.6 million)
- Bulloch County Jail Expansion: $51,000,000
- Solid Waste Regional Landfill Purchase: $9,600,000
Bulloch County Projects ($43.1 million)
- Public Safety: $27,725,000
- Recreational Facilities: $9,000,000
- Solid Waste Facilities: $3,204,066
- Voting Equipment: $320,000
- Administrative Building Improvements: $1,500,000
- Courthouse and Judicial Facilities: $640,000
- Information Technology Upgrades: $715,000
Statesboro Projects ($31.9 million)
- Public Safety: $12,792,020
- Water and Sewer: $3,210,000
- Natural Gas Infrastructure: $1,230,000
- Administrative Facilities: $3,500,000
- Cultural Facilities: $400,000
- Parks, Trails, and Greenspaces: $3,300,000
- Public Works & Cemetery: $1,250,000
- Stormwater Improvements: $4,650,000
- Public Parking Lots: $1,000,000
- Economic Development: $1,000,000
Brooklet Projects ($1.6 million)
- Water and Sewer: $863,160
- Public Works: $259,500
- Vehicle and Equipment Purchases: $502,740
Portal Projects ($611,460)
- Water and Sewer: $561,460
- Public Safety Equipment: $50,000
Register Projects ($147,060)
- Water Main Improvement: $100,000
- Office Equipment Upgrades: $5,000
- Community Center Improvements: $30,000
- New Roof on Water Pump Building: $2,500
- Town Hall Improvements: $9,560
The Role of the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA)
The Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA), approved by the Bulloch County Board of Commissioners and municipalities on November 19, 2024, outlines how SPLOST funds will be distributed among the county and cities. The IGA allows the county to issue up to $60 million in bonds for jail expansion, with SPLOST revenue used to repay this debt. If collections exceed $138 million, excess funds will go toward paying down the jail debt before being used elsewhere.
Why Does This Matter?
SPLOST has been in place since 1989, funding projects that might otherwise require increased property taxes. This vote isn’t about creating a new tax, it’s about whether to continue what’s already in place. Whether you’re in favor of these projects or not, this is your chance to make your voice heard.
Local leaders stress that a “Yes” vote means continued investments in roads, safety, and essential services, while a “No” vote could force difficult budget decisions. However you vote, being informed is the most important step.
Here is a video from the City of Statesboro that may explain better: