Saporta Report reported Monday that DeKalb County officials are planning on asking the Georgia General Assembly in early 2013 to approve a local option sales tax to be spent on various transportation projects.  From CEO Burrell Ellis’ budget recommendation to DeKalb County Commissioners, he writes…

“In 2013, we will seek the Georgia Legislature’s approval for a local option sales tax for Transportation purposes, in order to address this growing backlog of street resurfacing, sidewalks, intersection safety and congestion relief and related projects.”

The county has nearly spent all the 2006 transportation bond funds, and now wants to allocate $5 million from the HOST program to continue to pay for needed transportation repairs and upgrades.  But HOST isn’t enough to leverage all available matching funds, according to Saporta.  That’s why the commissioners and the CEO are pursuing this option.