The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce PAC, with the full support of its Board of Directors, has announced its support for the continuation of the county’s ESPLOST (Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax).

“The PAC provides a mechanism to raise funds to support and advertise for the passage of the ESPLOST,” said Chamber President/CEO Tammy Shepherd. “It is extremely important to educate our many new residents on how the Columbia County School System funds new schools through sales tax. Basically, through support of the ESPLOST, new schools can be built and rarely carry a mortgage which in turn, saves millions of dollars.”

The ESPLOST, a one-cent sales tax on $1, is used to fund capital improvements, including new schools or additions to current schools to relieve overcrowding. Funds generated from ESPLOST are restricted to construction, new technology and buses, and can’t be spent on expenses, such as operating costs.

The ESPLOST, which has funded construction of 16 schools in the last 19 years, is a continuation of the current sales tax that has been in place since 1997. Prior to the approval of the ESPLOST, the Columbia County School System built 15 schools over a span of 41 years.

The Chamber’s PAC, established in September, 2018 to advocate on behalf of its nearly 1000 business members, will work to inform and educate the community on the benefits of voting “YES” for the ESPLOST.

A significant social media presence, digital advertising, mail and yard signs, in addition to public speaking opportunities, are all planned to ensure the public is well versed on the ESPLOST. In 2015, the county voted overwhelmingly in favor of the current ESPLOST with a “YES” vote of 75 percent.

A special election has been called for the ESPLOST Referendum on Tuesday, March 19, 2019. Early voting begins on Monday, February 25.