Augusta region’s transportation tax collections falling below projections | The Augusta Chronicle

Sales tax revenue intended to pay for voter-approved transportation projects isn’t rolling in as estimated, raising questions about how projects will be funded within the legislated 10-year period.

Through July, collections for the 13-county region encompassing Rich­mond County were 18.3 percent below projections calculated by the state’s economist when lawmakers and the Georgia Department of Trans­portation pitched the plan to voters.

Just three of 12 regions across the state approved the tax referendum in July 2012. The two other regions are centered on Albany and Vidalia. The 1 percent tax collections started in January.

Region 7 – which includes Augusta – collected $33.9 million through July. The projection was $41.5 million. August numbers won’t be released until the end of September.

Collections got off to a weak start because some vendors did not report the new tax. January’s collections were 28 percent below projections, according to Diana Pope, the director of the financing division of the Geor­gia State Fi­nan­cing and In­vest­ment Com­mis­sion. Later months were better, but still not near estimates.

via Augusta region’s transportation tax collections falling below projections | The Augusta Chronicle.