Look at these 4 year SPLOST 2011 Plans - Do you see any details in the SPLOST 2011 plans to give you an idea if the projects are necessary or just "wants"? Are they too general or just right for your taste?
The Marietta Daily Journal stated (1-9-2011, 5B) that we may have to pay more if the Cobb SPLOST isn't approved. Per House Bill 277 that was passed last year (thanks Republican schmucks), if we don't pass the continuation of penny sales tax, we might pay more for state road projects. Is this the only choice we have? Sounds like a law can be changed....and what state road projects are necessary? Will the 21 Regional Roundtable members come up with a list of "only" absolutely necessary projects for the ten years starting in 2012? - Probably not.
I don't object to a sales tax for "repairs" of roads and buildings. I do believe there are bridges needing repairs, roads and buildings in need of repair, but I don't believe Cobb has sufficiently identified details of just what expenditures are planned and they are not disclosed properly.
One example of another Government Waste of SPLOST Dollars in Cobb County - The New Superior Court Building in Cobb County
Bullet resistant drywall - that's good if guns ever get past the high paid security on the first level and through the rest of the building...c'mon, is it really necessary? Hope there was a sufficient break on insurance coverage costs to pay for it!
80-85% of the construction debris was recycled - oh really, how does scrap pieces of drywall and other debris get recycled - and into what? If that was a major accomplishment, did it save the taxpayers lots of money?
Two goals of the new courthouse were to reduce energy costs by 15% and water costs by 40%...why not turn off a few lights and pout bricks in toilet tanks or just shut off a bathroom or two, or turn the thermostat up in the summer and you get some savings. These are noble goals but did you have to build another courthouse to achieve these savings? Isn't the mere fact you are using more energy efficient materials going to give you energy savings and only 15%? Why not 25%?
Over 25-30 years, cost savings (water - electric - HVAC) will be significant - yeah, if it lasts that long! And will we need to wait that long? There's alot of updates, modifications, and repairs in that same 25-30 year period.
Oh and Juvenile and Magistrate Courts are supposed to move into the old courthouse, but no money is left for that move - so that cost is buried in the 2011 SPLOST proposal on March 15, 2011 - gotcha!
When will the Cobb voters demand more details and specifics before tax money is spent - maybe never?
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