On Tuesday September 1, 2009 the Douglas County Board of Commissioners vote to call a referendum on a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) for the construction of a 1500 bed prison facility in Douglas County.  This is the third time since 2006 the BOC has place this issues on the ballot. The previous SPLOSTs were defeated by the voters.

Commissioner David Lathan was the only commissioner to vote NO to the resolution.

The 6 year sales tax is expected to raise $150,000,000.00 ($150 million) with a 6 year property bond for $120,000,000.oo

The resolution below doesn't mention the cost of the tax or bond.

Tab 6 on the agenda reads as follows:

    * 6. Referendum resolution of the Board of Commissioners of Douglas County, Georgia imposing a county one percent sales and use tax as authorized by Part 1 of Article 3 of Chapter 8 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia annotated, for the purpose of providing funds to pay or be applied toward the cost of acquiring, constructing and equipping a jail and related law enforcement complex, including the reimbursement of amounts previously paid by the county to acquire land and other costs related thereto; specifying the period of time for which such tax shall be imposed, specifying the estimated cost of the capital outlay project to be funded from the proceeds of such tax; authorizing the issuance of certain general obligation bonds secured by the proceeds of such tax; specifying the principal amount of such general obligation bonds is to be issued; specifying the purpose for which such general obligation bonds is to be issued; specifying the maximum interest rate or rates of interest which such general obligation bonds may bear; specifying the principal amount to be paid in each year during the life of such general obligation bonds; requesting the board of Elections and Registration to call an election of the voters of Douglas County, Georgia to approve the imposition of such sales and use tax and the issuance of such general obligation debt; approving the form of ballot to be used in such an election; and for other purposes. (Legal)