City of Atlanta Special Purpose Municipal Option Sales Tax
Would renew a 1-cent sales tax to improve sewage infrastructure
How it appears on your ballot
"Shall a special 1 percent sales and use tax be reimposed in the City of Atlanta for a period of time not to exceed 16 calendar quarters and for the raising of not more than One Billion One Hundred Million Dollars and Zero Cents ($1,100,000,000.00) for the purpose of funding water and sewer projects and costs?"
The Branch Breakdown
What it means
The Atlanta special purpose municipal option sales tax, otherwise known as MOST, is a 1-cent tax that applies to most goods purchased in the City of Atlanta. The current MOST was initially approved by a majority of voters in 2004 and then every 4 years since then. This referendum is about whether or not to renew this sales tax again.
The money from the tax will be primarily used to maintain and improve sewage systems and water overflow systems in the City of Atlanta. Although not much information is provided on the specific future projects, previous money from the tax has been used to repair over 387 miles of aged sewer lines and decrease the number sewer spills by 62%.
According to the City of Atlanta, the MOST has generated $700 million since 2004. This funding from the MOST has also allowed the City to avoid increasing utility rates for water.
A "yes" vote means
- Funding for sewage and watershed improvement programs will continue for another 4 years.
- City sales taxes will remain at the same level.
A "no" vote means
- Funding for sewage and watershed improvements will need to come from other sources, such as bonds or utility rate increases.
- Sales taxes will decrease by 1-cent every dollar.