Parks budget bolstered by SPLOST passage

In March, Hall County voters approved a new five-year round of special purpose local option sales tax, or SPLOST VII, to fund $158 million in infrastructure projects.

For county department heads, passage of the 1 percent sales tax proved a relief as they prepare their 2016 fiscal year budgets.

The county’s parks department stands to benefit handsomely from the sales tax, with nearly $5 million earmarked for parks projects, as well as shoreline protection programs and the Elachee Nature Science Center.

“It helps us tremendously with capital improvements and things like that,” said Hall County Parks and Leisure Services Director Mike Little.

Little said SPLOST VII revenue will be used for renovations, including parking lot paving, at Cool Springs park in northwest Hall County, as well as for a countywide trail program ­— among other projects.

Meanwhile, Little’s budget request for the 2016 fiscal year, which begins July 1, of about $1.5 million will help with management and maintenance of county parks.

via Parks budget bolstered by SPLOST passage.