The Habersham County Commission this week advanced several major initiatives, including the proposed continuation of the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST VIII), improvements at the animal shelter, and long-term expansion plans at the county airport.
SPLOST VIII heads toward November ballot
During a work session on July 21, commissioners reviewed an intergovernmental agreement with the county’s seven municipalities—Alto, Baldwin, Clarkesville, Cornelia, Demorest, Mount Airy, and Tallulah Falls—to share revenue from SPLOST VIII, a one-cent sales tax used to fund capital projects. They plan to hold a special meeting on Monday, July 28, to finalize plans to place the measure on the November ballot.
If approved, SPLOST VIII would raise an estimated $75.9 million over a six-year period beginning in 2027. The proposed funding includes:
- $20 million debt service on a new county jail
- $12.9 million for road and bridges
- $11 million Phase II of the Central Base Fire, EMS, and 911 Building
- $8.6 million for fire department equipment, vehicles, and renovations
- $2.6 million for EMS equipment and vehicles
- $1.5 million for landfill improvements
- $1 million for sheriff’s office vehicles and equipment
The cities would use their share for projects such as water system upgrades, roadwork, and public safety investments. If the measure fails in November, officials said they plan to bring it back for another vote in 2026.
Animal control facility progresses
At Monday’s monthly meeting, commissioners approved a contract with Omega Technology Group, LLC, to install low-voltage cabling and access control systems at the new animal shelter. County Manager Tim Sims told Now Habersham he expects construction on the facility to begin by the end of July.
Word of progress on the new shelter comes just weeks after a storm in early July caused the septic tank at the current facility to back up, flooding the front office. Staff have since completed the cleanup.
The shelter remains in high demand. In June, Habersham County Animal Care and Control responded to 1,305 calls and cared for 320 animals, according to director Madi Nix. The shelter has filled only one of its four staff positions. To ease the burden, sheriff’s deputies and local police can now scan pet microchips in the field to help reunite lost animals with their owners.
Airport commission seeks longer lease terms
The board is also pushing forward with plans to expand hangar capacity at the Habersham County Airport. Officials are seeking proposals from businesses to build and lease aircraft hangars on four 60-by-60-foot lots, each with 3,600 square feet of buildable space.
The Airport Commission is requesting that ground lease terms be extended from 20 years to 30 years to attract more private investment. A third bidder dropped out of the original round of proposals in 2024, citing the short lease term as a major concern. When the county reissued the RFP last fall, it received no new responses.
Despite the setbacks, officials remain optimistic. They estimate that based aircraft in these new hangars could generate thousands in ad valorem tax revenue, ranging from $500 for single-engine planes to $150,000 for small to midsize jets. Additional based aircraft could also help the airport qualify for more Georgia Department of Transportation funding and increase fuel sales, bringing the facility closer to regional status.
Meals on Wheels and other business
Commissioners reviewed an amendment to the county’s contract with Legacy Link, Inc., which unlocks additional state and federal funds for senior nutrition services. The measure allocates $27,847 for congregate meals and $121,251 for home-delivered meals through the Meals on Wheels program. County officials described the contract as vital to maintaining the Senior Center’s ability to provide critical nutrition and wellness support.
And in other business, the commission approved $38,000 to replace a storm-damaged patrol vehicle with a 2023 Ford F-150. The funds were included in the fiscal year 2026 budget and will not expand the current fleet.
This article has been updatedÂ
