Transportation, parks to get bulk of funds

(Lawrenceville, Ga., June 7, 2023) – The Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved the allocation of more than $759.8 million in anticipated 2023 SPLOST program revenue toward transportation and parks projects.

The transportation project list was developed by a 15-member Citizens Project Selection Committee over the course of 10 meetings held since last fall. The projects cover enhancements to transportation that include upgrades to major roads and intersections, bridges, pedestrian safety, resurfacing, unpaved roads, speed control in residential areas and school safety. About 73 percent of the County’s budgeted share of 2023 SPLOST funds is dedicated to transportation.

Transportation projects were divided into two tiers. The Tier 1 project list assumes the County’s portion to be spent on Transportation projects will be $482.67 million over the 2023 SPLOST program’s duration. Tier 2 indicates secondary projects that would be funded if the program generates more money than expected.

Meanwhile, the Recreation Authority helped prioritize parks projects through updates to the parks and recreation master plan. Commissioners allocated $97.2 million of budgeted funds for new trails, parks, park expansions, renovations, and cultural and natural resource area protections.

“The long-term benefits of SPLOST will support our growing population and address Gwinnett's infrastructure demands,” said Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson. “The projects the Board approved today are well thought out and equitable, and they leverage the County's history of fiscal stewardship. I applaud the members of our Transportation Citizens Project Selection Committee and Recreation Authority for their time and efforts to ensure Gwinnett County continues to make strategic investments in our future.” 

SPLOST pays for a significant portion of Gwinnett County’s capital projects not funded by revenues generated from other taxes or charges for services, which allows the County to keep up with infrastructure demands on a pay-as-you-go basis. This is considered by rating agencies when awarding the County’s rare Triple-AAA bond rating.

In November 2022, Gwinnett County voters approved the latest one-percent Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax through March 31, 2029. An oversight committee made up of residents will monitor the 2023 SPLOST program progress, and the SPLOST program will be audited annually.

The 2023 SPLOST program is expected to raise $1.35 billion over the next six years. Cities make up a quarter of Gwinnett’s land area and population, and they are expected to receive about a quarter of the 2023 SPLOST funds collected.

Gwinnett County’s public safety, senior services, animal shelter and fleet management are anticipated to receive 15 percent of the County’s portion of sales tax collections. In addition, more than $12.5 million in 2023 SPLOST program funds will be used for renovations to the courts located inside the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center in Lawrenceville, which opened in 1988 and has largely remained unchanged since. Approximately 250,000 square feet of judicial space within the existing GJAC facility, including courtrooms, deliberation rooms, judges' chambers and corridors, will get upgrades. Various items original to the building, such as lighting, ceilings, wall coverings and other interior building elements, will be replaced as part of the renovation.

For more information about SPLOST, visit GwinnettSPLOST.com.