Is Forsyth SPLOST lost?

A sales tax approved by nearly 70 percent of local voters Feb. 5 is now in question following a recent court decision preventing the county from collecting the funds.

Superior Court Judge Hugh W. Stone's April 30 decision could affect numerous county projects and the collection of the sales tax scheduled to begin July 1. Stone ruled the county should have listed every project on the ballot.

Cumming had identified $50 million in projects it wanted to accomplish through the SPLOST. But the county had allotted the city 4.29 percent of the sales tax revenue (about $11.8 million). That figure is the per capita share of the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) based on the 2000 Census.

Forsyth County Commission Chairman Charles Laughinghouse said he believed the ruling was an "error."

"I believe the judges ruling is in error," he said, "but the Board of Commissioners will abide by the decision until the Board can determine an appropriate course of action."

The county has not appealed the April 30 decision. If such a decision is made, County Attorney Ken Jarrard said it could happen as early as this week.

The ruling was a victory for those in the city of Cumming campaigning against the passing of the SPLOST. Mayor Ford Gravitt said it's also a victory for both the people of Cumming and Forsyth County.

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