Macon industrial authority, construction companies promote SPLOST, financial disclosures show

As Bibb County voters decide Tuesday whether to approve a penny-on-the-dollar sales tax, recent state campaign finance disclosures show who funded an effort to promote the proposed Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax.

The first campaign disclosure report for Go Big Macon, the independent committee promoting the SPLOST, was filed March 6, a dozen days before Election Day. 

The committee raised $75,000 — and $50,000 of it came from the Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority, a local authority board established in 1962 to draw industries, businesses and commercial development to the county for job creation. The authority can issue bonds for private development and offer incentives such as property tax abatements to companies operating in Bibb County.

Other donors include construction companies in Middle Georgia:

• All-State Electric: $5,000
• ICB Construction Group: $5,000 
• Piedmont Construction: $5,000 
• Rightway Drywall Inc: $5,000 
• Sheridan Construction: $5,000
• Warren & Associates Inc.: $1,000 
• WDC d/b/a Appling Brothers: $5,000 

ICB, Piedmont, Sheridan, Warren & Associates and Appling Brothers were awarded contracts for public projects in the previous SPLOST. 

Go Big Macon spent $55,340 of its donations on services provided by Southern Majority, a political consultant firm owned by Amy Morton.

The Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce also is encouraging voters to pass the SPLOST. In a newsletter Tuesday, the chamber warned, “Without SPLOST, the county would need to raise property taxes approximately 7.5 mills to fund the same $450 million in investments.” 

The county’s current millage rate is 9.9 mills, according to a county spokesperson. An increase of 7.5 mills would bring the county’s millage rate up to 17.4. Under that scenario, the owner of a $200,000 home would see a $1,500 property tax increase.

The newsletter also cites a 2009 study that found more than 70% of SPLOST revenue in Bibb County came from visitors and commuters, not property owners. 

The last day to vote early is Friday, March 14, from 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. at the Macon Mall or the Elaine Lucas Senior Center. Election Day is March 18 and the polls will be open from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. You can vote at your local polling place.

Voter turnout for SPLOST referendums, the lone decision on the ballot for this election, have historically been anemic. This year is no different.

A little more than 1,780 people voted since polls opened Feb. 24, according to data from the Macon-Bibb County Board of Elections office as of March 11.

What specific projects the SPLOST will pay for has yet to be determined, but project categories were outlined in the legislation authorizing the county to pursue a SPLOST extension, including an airport expansion, public safety investments and economic development that “fosters private sector growth.”