Macon-Bibb County Approves Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax Extension for March 2025 Vote

At their meeting on December 17, 2024, the Macon-Bibb County Commission voted to place the extension of the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) on the March 18, 2025 ballot, asking the community to continue the one-percent sales tax that has funded numerous local capital projects.

Mayor Lester Miller highlighted the importance of SPLOST in facilitating community growth and improvements, stating, “Our SPLOST has helped us move so many great projects forward – from road repair to recreation centers to park improvements and more. We are asking the community to help us keep that progress going.” Miller emphasized that the tax allows for substantial investments without placing the full burden on residents, as 71.4% of SPLOST funding comes from those traveling through or visiting Macon-Bibb County.

The proposed extension is set to provide funding for a wide array of capital projects, including:

Roads, streets, and bridges, with potential investments in streetlights, sidewalks, bicycle paths, and pedestrian safety improvements.
Public safety facilities and equipment, ensuring that law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency services have the infrastructure they need.
Economic development, including improvements to the airport and transportation facilities aimed at fostering job creation and attracting private investment.
Recreational, historical, and civic facilities, including parks, greenspaces, and possibly a convention center or coliseum.
Water and sewer systems, with investments in infrastructure projects to address water, sewer, and stormwater needs.
Debt retirement, including the payoff of general obligation debt or revenue bond debt secured by intergovernmental contracts.

The current SPLOST, which began in April 2018, is slated to conclude in September 2025, and the new SPLOST would begin immediately after. The ongoing SPLOST has already helped fund numerous projects across the county, and the extension is viewed as crucial to sustaining the momentum of local development.

Mayor Miller further explained, “From our need of road repairs to supporting public safety to continue advancing economic development, this SPLOST will make a huge impact on the future of our entire community.” The vote will allow citizens to continue shaping the growth of Macon-Bibb County with a clear focus on improving infrastructure, safety, and quality of life.

To read the full resolution, click here.

Citizens will have the opportunity to vote on the SPLOST extension in March 2025.