Proposed Improvements for Marietta from SPLOST

Whether you believe any extra tax in the current economy is too much, or that a special purpose local option sales tax, or SPLOST, is the way to fund current needs, the issue has spawned debate across Cobb County.

If passed March 15, the SPLOST is expected to generate $492 million for parks, recreation, public safety, libraries, senior centers and transportation projects for the county and Cobb’s six cities.

The special four-year tax would begin Jan. 1, 2012, just as the current one ends.

Proponents say SPLOST would insure that Cobb County continues to be competitive when seeking businesses to locate in the area.

It will keep millage rates low and improve infrastructure. They also say that 30 percent of the penny tax would be paid for by visitors to the county.

Supporters point to the many facilities that have been paid for by previous SPLOSTs, including road widenings, bridges, expansions of the county jail and the new courthouse just off of the Marietta Square.

If the SPLOST was to fail on March 15, the county would incur debt and it could threaten the county’s Triple A bond rating, said Rose Wing, a retired attorney who heads Citizens for Cobb’s Future.

The group organized more than five years ago to promote the 2005 special sales tax. That SPLOST, which expires Dec. 31, passed by 114 votes.

On the other side of the SPLOST issue are organizations including the Cobb County Taxpayers Association and the Georgia Taxpayers Alliance, working to defeat the extension.

Opponents say the list of projects is more of a “want” list than a “need” list. The county needs to take a more conservative look at the current budget and see what can be cut, said Lance Lamberton, president of the Taxpayers Association.

In the down economy, county commissioners need to be thinking more about cutting taxes than adding more, Lamberton said.

Below is a list of projects planned for Marietta if the SPLOST passes.

Congestion Relief Projects

Cherokee Street @ Cherry Street/Canton Rd, Intersection improvement, cost is $360,000.

Cobb Parkway @ North Marietta Pkwy, Intersection improvement, cost is $490,000.

Roswell Rd at Cobb Parkway, Intersection improvement, additional lane across Roswell, cost is $490,000.

North Marietta Pkwy at Wallace Rd, Intersection improvement, cost is $360,000.

Roswell St 4 Lane Gap Completion, 4 lanes and streetscape improvements, From Lakewood Drive to Olive Street, cost is $1.7 million.

Roundabout at Mountain View and Polk Street, Construction of a roundabout to improve intersection safety, From Mountain View Road to Polk Street, cost is $490,000.

South Marietta Pkwy (SR 120) at Atlanta Street, Intersection Improvement, from South Marietta Pkwy (SR 120) to Atlanta St, cost is $490,000

Traffic Calming Devices, Install traffic calming devices at various locations throughout the City, cost is $400,000.

Traffic Calming, Traffic calming at 13 intersections along major street - non-textured pavement treatment, cost is $740,000

Congestion Relief Projects Total Estimated Cost

$5,546,000

Safety and Operational Improvement Projects

Fairground St Improvement B, Sidewalks, median and streetscape improvements, From Haley St to Gene Atkins Alley, cost is $1.96 million.

Fairground St Improvement C, Sidewalks median and streetscape improvements, From Washington Ave to Rigby Street, cost is $2.87 million.

Franklin Rd Improvements A, Median and streetscape improvements, From Twinbrooks Dr to North of Franklin Ct at Wood Glen Apts (875 Franklin Rd), cost is $2.15 million.

Cobb Parkway/ US 41/SR3, Intersection Improvement to add RT/decal lane on Cobb Parkway NB to southern intersection with White Circle, From Cobb Parkway/ US 41/SR3 to White Circle, cost is $250,000.

Powder Springs Street (SR360) Streetscape, Streetscape improvements, From South Marietta Pkwy (SR 120) to Sandtown Road, cost is $4 million.

Alexander Street, Road widening, sidewalks, and drainage improvements, From Roswell St to Washington St, cost is $804,650.

Sign Reflectivity, Replacement of signage throughout the City that does not meet new FHWA Standards, cost is $270,000.

Street Marking Reflectivity, Replacement of street markings throughout the City that do not meet new FHWA Standards, cost is $1.9 million

West Dixie Ave, Realign Hedges St and West Dixie Ave to one signalized intersection at Powder Springs St, cost is $1.64 million.

Safety and Operational Improvements Projects Total Estimated Cost

$15,873,421

Capital Improvements

Resurfacing, Annual street resurfacing, cost is $7.5 million.

Sidewalks and Trails, Annual sidewalk and Multi-use Trail Construction, cost is $2.5 million.

Bridges, Annual bridge rehabilitation, cost is $572,449.

Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS), Expansion, cost is $2.37 million.

Drainage, General street and drainage rehabilitation, cost is $2,377,347

Gateways, Main Gateways into City, cost is $1 million.

Infrastructure Preservation Total Estimated Cost

$16,500,000

Fire, Purchase Fire Engine, cost is $610,000.

Public Safety, Public Safety including purchase of land for relocation of Station 56 and additional Public Safety Improvements, cost is $3 million.

Public Works, Renovate Public Works Facility or purchase new facility, cost is $2.18 million.

Traffic Control Center, Replace Traffic Control Center rack mounted servers and equipment, cost is $1 million.

Capital Improvements Total Estimated Cost

$6,880,000

City of Marietta Projects Total Estimated Cost

$44.799,421