SPLOST Vote A 'Transformative Moment' For DeKalb: CEO

DECATUR, GA -- On the heels of the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners' 5-2 vote to accept a slew of capital projects, CEO Michael Thurmond said Wednesday that the passage of the measure was a "transformative moment" for the county, which will be on the Nov. 7 ballot for voters to decide.

The special purpose local option sales tax, or SPLOST, will generate $388 million over six years, money that is badly needed to improve DeKalb's transportation infrastructure, Thurmond said. (SIGN UP: Get Patch's Daily Newsletter and Real Time News Alerts. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app.)

DeKalb CEO Touts SPLOST Benefits

While the money will be spread over many projects, including new fire stations, police cruisers and parks and libraries, more than $151 million of the funds will go toward road resurfacing, a sore spot for much of the county.

Like us on Facebook

Thurmond said that the whole of DeKalb would need to pull together to succeed on the road ahead.

“This is a transformative moment for DeKalb County,”he said in a statement. “The county and its 12 cities are in agreement on a plan to work together for all of DeKalb citizens. With the support of the DeKalb legislative delegation which passed enabling SPLOST legislation earlier this year, we will be able to improve the quality of life for all residents.”

Cities in DeKalb will get $249 million for projects within their jurisdictions, the county said.

DeKalb CEO To Give Update On Water Billing Crisis

Image via DeKalb County