So many projects, so little sales tax funds

The Athens-Clarke Commission is having a tough time deciding how to spend dwindling sales tax revenue for projects like a youth center, a diversion center for nonviolent criminals and a pedestrian plaza near City Hall.

"I don't know if Solomon could make everybody happy with the small amount of money we have to allocate," Commissioner Kathy Hoard said at a Thursday agenda-setting meeting.

Among the choices the commission will face at its Dec. 1 voting meeting are whether to fund a new Boys & Girls Club or the long-planned diversion center and whether to spend leftover funds from a 2000 round of sales tax-funded projects on the City Hall streetscape project or transportation.

Athens-Clarke managers are recommending spending $1.7 million earmarked in 2004 for a "youth facilities partnership" on the diversion center instead. The county has already spent $1 million to help renovate part of the H.T. Edwards building into a Boys & Girls Club to serve the Rocksprings and Hancock Corridor neighborhoods.

The plan is likely to pass because commissioners say the 72-bed diversion center will offer small-time criminals help with alcohol, drug and mental problems, allow them to work while serving their sentences and relieve

Rate This Article: - Excellent Good Average Poor Terrible

Comment on "So many projects, so little sales tax funds"

Your Name

Your Comments

Verification Code: KHFT8N
Enter Code:

---