We want to encourage everyone in Dougherty County to support our special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) VI list of projects you will vote on this year. First and foremost know that this is an extension of a one penny sales tax you already pay. We are all concerned about taxes, and know this is not a new tax.

About 72 percent of the new proposed projects, address improvements in infrastructure, technology and public safety, such as at the fire department, the 911 call center, the jail, emergency medical services, improvements at our airport terminal, and the widening of Flemming Road at Mock Road, key to access to our Marine Base.

Another 22 percent of funds are needed for education and health improvements, such as our library system and renovation of our senior center.

You need to know that if SPLOST doesn’t take care of these projects,

Dougherty County taxpayers will still have to pay, because many of these projects are mandated to be completed.

A very important fact to remember is that an estimated 40 percent of SPLOST sales tax dollars come from outside county residents and visitors to Dougherty County. That’s a huge benefit to local taxpayers.

There are public meetings to be announced soon, so please attend them, and get all the facts, on the many positive improvements we can all make together.

Written by Jim Wilcox, general manager of WALB.