By Shane Scoggins
Publisher
CARNESVILLE – Improvements to the city’s parks, sidewalks and money for the fire department top the City of Carnesville’s plans for an extension of the county-wide special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST).
County voters will decide Nov. 8 on whether or not to extend the SPLOST for county projects.
The county expects to collect more than $25.7 million over six years with an extension of the one-cent tax.
Of that total, Carnesville is set to receive $1 million, based on an agreement between the county and city governments on how to divide the money.
Carnesville’s part of the ballot lists “public works-streets, bridges and culverts, sidewalks, parking facilities, public utilities. Fire protection and recreation-park improvements.”
Here’s a look at some of the city’s plans:
• Park improvements.
Mayor Harris Little said the city is looking to add an amphitheater to its Sid and Augusta White Park.
The park currently includes a playground, gazebos, greenspace and a splash pad.
The amphitheater is planned to go near the splash pad.
The city is also looking at a dog park and other improvements to the park, “depending on how far the money goes,” Little said.
• Sidewalks.
The city plans to extend sidewalks from downtown to the park area.
Plus, new sidewalks are in the works for to link the downtown area to the Piggly Wiggly shopping center.
That sidewalk will have to wait for the completion of a new bridge across the street, Little said.
The Georgia Department of Transportation plans to replace the current bridge soon.
• Parking lot.
Little said he is also interested in working with the county government on adding a parking lot to the downtown area.
• Fire department.
The Carnesville Fire Department will be allocated $200,000 in SPLOST funds to be used for equipment.