The Hall County Board of Commissioners has approved a resolution to place a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) referendum on the November 4, 2025 election ballot. The SPLOST program, active in Hall County since 1985, has funded infrastructure projects such as roads, public safety facilities and vehicles, parks, trails, libraries, and other community assets over the past four decades.
Projects previously supported by SPLOST include improvements to water and sewer systems, bridges, fire and emergency services upgrades, Elachee Nature Science Center, Sardis Creek Park, Highlands to Islands Multi-Use Trail, Chicopee Woods Agriculture Center, Hall County Detention Center, Animal Control Facility, South Hall and North Hall libraries, Health Department facilities, North Hall Community Center and Gainesville/Hall County Senior Center.
According to Tim Evans, President & CEO of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce: “This SPLOST referendum is NOT a new tax – it is a RENEWAL of the current 1% sales tax used to fund capital outlay projects. If passed by Hall County voters, the proposed SPLOST program would be the ninth program of its kind for the County and would remain active for six years. It is estimated that some 40% of SPLOST dollars raised in Hall County come from out-of-county residents.”
Lake Lanier brings millions of visitors annually to Hall County. Along with patients at Northeast Georgia Health System facilities and students at local higher education institutions—as well as other commuters—these visitors contribute significantly to sales tax revenue. This allows funding for countywide projects without placing all financial responsibility on property owners.
SPLOST IX is projected to generate about $440 million over six years if approved. Planned uses for these funds include construction of a new South Hall Park & Active Life Center along with additional park improvements; extension of the Highlands to Islands Multi-Use Trail System; expansion of the Judicial Complex; Phase II widening project for Spout Springs Road; road resurfacing throughout the county; intersection improvements along McEver Road as well as Mount Vernon and Joe Chandler roads; building a new Sheriff’s Office Training Center with vehicle replacements and equipment purchases; relocating or constructing a new fire station with ambulance replacements and upgrades to the 911 system; and allocating $95 million among nine municipalities within Hall County based on population density.
More information about SPLOST IX can be found at hallcounty.org/398/SPLOST.
