E-SPLOST Questions Answered!

November 2011 ESPLOST Information

What is ESPLOST IV?

ESPLOST IV is a proposed continuation of the current  county-wide, one-cent (penny) education tax on all consumer goods that must be approved by voters in a referendum and is in effect for five years or until the cap is reached. Sales tax is based on consumption and is shared by all consumers in the county. Estimates show that as much as 25-30% of these funds will be paid by non-Douglas County residents. If approved, ESPLOST IV would end on December 31, 2016.

ESPLOST IV Focus is in Four Areas:

1. Debt Reduction: 50% of net proceeds help  pay down existing bond debt
2. Renovation: Every school will be improved through modifications and/or renovations or other enhancements
3. Technology: Sustaining & improving technology for all schools to include safety and security upgrades, computer technology, hardware and software

1. Teaching Resources: Acquiring textbooks, instructional materials and/or equipment, and band instruments

How will ESPLOST IV impact my property taxes?

The first priority of the ballot issue is to use half of the total net tax collected from the $122M issue to pay a portion of the principal and interest due on outstanding bonds from 2005, 2007 and 2010. This will enable the local Bond millage rate to be reduced over time, thereby reducing property tax obligations.

What will ESPLOST IV accomplish at schools for students?

If voters continue ESPLOST, it will not only pay down bonded indebtedness, the penny will allow all Douglas County schools to receive needed improvements, modifications and/or renovations; keep pace with rapidly changing technology for student safety and learning; and provide much needed teaching resources including textbooks, band instruments, instructional materials and equipment.

Why not use local property taxes to pay for all school improvements?

Property taxes pay for day-to-day maintenance and operations (M&O), such as teacher salaries, supplies, utilities, fuel for buses and other maintenance/operations costs. Before ESPLOST, the Douglas County School System issued bonds that were repaid from property tax revenues or used ad valorem tax revenues to fund capital improvements. Both placed a burden on our tax payers. Half of the ESPLOST IV proceeds will help pay down the bonded indebtedness that was incurred during rapid local growth.  Extending the penny provides support from those who do not pay property tax and/or live outside Douglas County and shop or dine here.

What a Penny can do – Highlights of projects made possible by ESPLOST I, II, and III:

Technology: Every school. New Schools: Chapel Hill High, Factory Shoals Middle, Holly Springs Elem., Mirror Lake Elem., New Manchester Elem., North Douglas Elem., and Yeager Middle as well as replacement schools for Bill Arp Elem. and Chapel Hill Elem. Additions/Renovations: Alexander High, Annette Winn Elem., Arbor Station Elem., Beulah Elem., Burnett Elem., Eastside Elem., Chestnut Log Middle, Douglas County High, Fairplay Middle, Lithia Springs Elem., Lithia Springs High, Mirror Lake Elem., Mt. Carmel Elem., New Manchester Elem., Stewart Middle, Sweetwater Elem., and Winston Elem. Buses: 101 purchased. This is a partial list of previous ESPLOST funded projects. For more information, visit the school system website at: www.douglas.k12.ga.us