DeKalb County Voters Approve SPLOST, EHOST Tax

The SPLOST is expected to generate $388 million over the next six years.

More than half the money will be spent on infrastructure projects.

“We now have to go forward and make smooth streets happen, build quality buildings in our community, and really make sure that DeKalb has state of the art facilities,” said DeKalb Commissioner Larry Johnson at a victory party on Wednesday. He was joined by county and city officials.

With DeKalb’s track record of alleged corruption, CEO Mike Thurmond said safeguards have been put in place so residents know the money is going where it is supposed to.

“We will have a citizen oversight committee and there will be ongoing audits to ensure that the resources that have been entrusted to us will be spent in the fairest, most appropriate, ethical way,” Thurmond said.

A county spokesman said transportation and road projects will begin based on priority and that the county will post project updates online.

Voters also approved a revised Homestead Option Sales Tax, which protects homeowners from rising property taxes. It was married to the SPLOST, meaning both had to be approved for either to pass.

Before, homeowners living in unincorporated DeKalb got more of the cash than those who live in cities.

With the EHOST, which seeks to “equalize” the homestead tax, all DeKalb County homeowners will get the same percentage off their taxes regardless of where they live.