CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. — The early voting period kicked off on Tuesday for Chatham County residents, and among the key issues on the ballot is the continuation of the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST).

This 1% sales tax, which has seen approval every six years since 1985, is up for renewal. Should it pass again, it will finance a wide array of local initiatives, including road enhancements, flood mitigation, and public safety improvements. According to local chamber leaders, a substantial portion of the funding will come from visitors to the county.

Whenever tourists dine out, purchase fuel, or book accommodations, they contribute to these local projects. Bert Brantley, the president and CEO of the Savannah Area Chamber, mentioned that under this plan, visitors are anticipated to cover over 40% of the total expenses.

“This isn’t an additional tax,” Brantley explained. “It’s simply a continuation of an existing penny tax. We have outlined a new set of projects that we aim to support over the next six years if this measure is approved.”

The proposed projects are designed to address community needs, reflecting the priorities that residents highlighted during town halls and surveys.

“What they heard is infrastructure,” said Brantley. “So, transportation, bridges, roads, flood control, drainage. When we get a big storm, a big rain event, to have somewhere for that water to go. Then police and fire, public safety and recreation.”

He said the improvements will help both residents and businesses by easing traffic, reducing flooding and improving daily life.

“If it’s a transportation project that’s helping move goods around town, hopefully with less traffic for commuters,” he said. “Resurfacing and getting rid of potholes or bad bridges, that’s maintenance on your car. For flooding, when we get a big rainstorm, we have some of our businesses that that will have water that prevents customers from getting to them. Some residents have water that gets to their house and prevents them from leaving the house.”

The county plans to start with the most pressing needs first.

“So, if you think about like a Benton Boulevard out in the Highlands, that’s a project that’s going to be funded quickly because there’s a lot of traffic concerns out there,” he said. “The President Street Railroad crossing, which everyone who comes in from that side of town where you come to the Truman or you are coming down President Street, you can get caught either coming into town or leaving town.”

Voters can weigh in starting Tuesday with early voting. Election Day is Nov. 4. Find full list of projects here.