On Tuesday, Nov. 7, polls will open in Decatur County.

On the ballot is a referendum called T-SPLOST (Transportation Special Local Option Sales Tax).

The questions will read: “Shall a special one percent sales and use tax be imposed in the special district consisting of Decatur County for a period of time not to exceed five years and for the raising of not more than an estimated amount of $24,000,000 for transportation purposes?”

The current sales tax in Decatur County is 7 percent. Of the 7 percent collected, 4 percent leaves the county and goes to the State of Georgia. Three percent is kept in Decatur County. If T-SPLOST is passed, sales tax will rise from 7 percent to 8 percent. The extra penny will go toward road projects, and road projects alone, in our community. The money doesn’t leave Decatur County, so you know voting “Yes” guarantees that only our roads will be resurfaced.

We believe it is important for the citizens of Decatur County to vote “Yes” next Tuesday, to pass T-SPLOST and help pave and repair our roads in our community.

Voting “Yes” is voting for progress.

Voting “Yes” is agreeing that our community’s roadways need improvement. Rather than portions of our county and city governments’ general budgets being used for road projects, we can all chip in to help. It’s not just residents that will be paying the 1 percent tax, either. It’s estimated that 31 percent of T-SPLOST revenue will be generated from sales to people who don’t live in Decatur County. Visitors to our community will help pay for our road repair when they stop to grab lunch in town or shop at one of our stores.

Voting “Yes” is voting to relieve some stress from our local governments’ budgets. Less money allocated to these road projects means more room for other important projects. With the ultimate goal in mind of lowering millage rates for Decatur County taxpayers, passing the T-SPLOST referendum is one step in the right direction to keeping our governments’ financial numbers in the black.

Voting “Yes” will get the state truck route moved from downtown Bainbridge to Whigham Dairy Road. Our beautiful downtown square is blasted with noise from the 18-wheelers rolling down Broad Street. T-SPLOST will give Bainbridge the funds to widen Whigham Dairy Road, making it suitable for semi-trucks to travel on.

T-SPLOST, which would go into effect April 1, 2018, and last through March 21, 2023, is one big step toward improving our community’s overall infrastructure, making it more attractive toward potential industry and businesses.

We have to do what we can to put Decatur County in the best possible position for growth. Paying an extra penny on the dollar will go a long way toward doing so.