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Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax

March 22 Update: The extension of ESLOST passed by 82% in the March 21 referendum. Thank you!

The Board of Education approved the ESPLOST VII Resolution and call for Election on March 21, 2023. The resolution will be for a continuation of a one percent sales tax for educational purposes. ESPLOST stands for Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax. Early Voting will begin February 27, 2023.

What is ESPLOST?
An “ESPLOST” is the option for a local school system to call a referendum approving a one percent sales tax for school construction and/or retire bond debt. The penny sales tax spreads the responsibility of educating our children to all citizens and visitors of the community. Anyone who spends money in Barrow County is funding the ESPLOST, regardless of whether or not the person lives in the county.

ESPLOST for Education

FACTS ABOUT CONTINUING ESPLOST ON March 21, 2023

  • No new sales taxes
  • An extension of the current sales tax, not an additional tax
  • Renewal Education Sales Tax starts after the current one ends
  • Anyone who shops in Barrow County pays sales tax
  • Provide modern, safe, and secure school facilities
  • Quality schools promote a better future for our students and economic growth for our community

When is the ESPLOST Renewal Vote?
Tuesday, March 21, 2023
7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Find your polling location here (Left side has links to polling addresses and map)

What will the continued 1¢ ESPLOST provide?

Proposed projects for the next ESPLOST include:

Construction as needed for growth
Improvements to BCSS facilities
Continue to repay previously incurred bond debt
Acquire instructional and administrative technology
Purchase school buses
Purchase instructional, vocational, and physical education equipment
Purchase safety and security equipment

Frequently Asked Questions:

IS THIS A TAX INCREASE?
No. Barrow County sales tax will remain at its current level. The referendum will simply extend the current 1% sales tax for education for an additional 5 years. Collection of this renewal ESPLOST can only begin after the current ESPLOST expires.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE ESPLOST IS NOT RENEWED?
If the ESPLOST is not renewed the school district will be required to raise property taxes to pay debt which was previously approved by Barrow County voters and is currently outstanding. ESPLOST directly offsets property tax millage that would otherwise be levied.

WHAT IS THE ADVANTAGE OF AN ESPLOST?
The ESPLOST can pay bond debt and shares the cost of educational facilities and equipment with visitors and all citizens – not just property owners. Sales tax offsets property tax and helps keep property taxes stable.

You can review the presention about ESPLOST to our Board of Education on eBoard or watch the presentation on our YouTube channel.

This site provides information using PDF, visit this link to download the Adobe Acrobat Reader DC software.