‘We need to stand and announce our voices’: Chatham County voters head to the polls

CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - It’s election day and a major decision about how Chatham County cities will fund infrastructure is on the ballot.

It is the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, also known as SPLOST.

We talked to several voters Tuesday who came out for the SPLOST vote and even more voters who say they want their voices to be heard.

SPLOST is expected to generate about $700 million to cover dozens of infrastructure projects across the county. It’s not a new tax, but one that’s been around for decades and allows visitors and the money they spend to contribute to those projects.

Some of the larger projects that’ll impact people in the county are Highlands and Benton Blvd, the President Street Railroading Crossing and thousands of dollars that’ll go toward flooding issues.

One woman told us she’s lived in Chatham County all of her life. She feels it’s her duty to get out and vote.

“It’s my right to come and vote and these are times where we need to stand and announce our voices,” said Brenda Bates, Chatham County voter.

Homestead exemption as it relates to school taxes in Chatham Co.

Voters in Chatham County also have a major decision to make affecting your tax bill and money for schools.

The referendum on the ballot would give homeowners a homestead exemption as it relates to school taxes.

Their current assessed tax value would be the number used to calculate their property tax bill. It’s similar to what homeowners already have when it comes to city and county taxes.

Back in September, we told you about a bipartisan group of state legislators rallying around this bill.

They said that school taxes account for two thirds of what Chatham County homeowners pay in property taxes.

The school system told us then, if it passes, it could result in funding shortfalls that jeopardize things like teacher salaries, classrooms resources and student programs.

This and several other major decisions for residents on the ballot.

“Everyone please get out and vote and exercise your right to vote because it is our right to vote,” said Chatham County voter, Jessie Brown.