Dade County Voters to Decide FLOST and TSPLOST on November Ballot
TRENTON, Ga. — Dade County voters will decide this November whether to approve two proposed sales taxes that county leaders say could change the way local government pays for transportation projects while reducing the burden of property taxes on homeowners.
The Dade County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday to place both a Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST) and a Floating Local Option Sales Tax (FLOST) before voters.
If approved, both measures would each add one percent to the local sales tax, increasing Dade County’s total sales tax rate from 7 percent to 9 percent.
TSPLOST Would Fund Transportation Improvements
The proposed one-percent TSPLOST would generate funding dedicated to transportation projects, including road paving, bridge improvements, and other infrastructure needs throughout the county.
Neighboring Walker County already has a TSPLOST in place with an 8 percent total sales tax rate, while Chattooga County also has a TSPLOST and a 9 percent sales tax rate.
FLOST Would Shift Tax Burden
The proposed one-percent FLOST is designed to shift a portion of the tax burden away from property owners and toward a broader consumer-based sales tax.
Rather than relying primarily on property taxes to fund county and city government, the FLOST would allow everyone who makes purchases in Dade County—including visitors—to help pay for local services.
Potential Property Tax Relief
County officials estimate that, if approved and supported by projected sales tax collections, the FLOST could reduce the county and city portions of property taxes by as much as 66 percent. The reduction would not apply to school property taxes, which are levied separately.
The proposal would move more of the cost of local government from property owners to a consumption-based tax that is shared by residents, tourists, and other visitors who shop in Dade County.
Both the FLOST and TSPLOST will appear on the November General Election ballot, where Dade County voters will have the final say on whether to implement the new sales taxes.
Watch the Special Called Meeting Below