Question 3: One Percent Sales and Use Tax

Shall a one percent sales and use tax (the "Sales Tax") for educational purposes be continued in Chattooga County for a period of time not to exceed five years, beginning with the calendar quarter following the calendar quarter in which the sales and use tax for educational purposes presently in effect expires, and for the raising of not more than $26,900,000 to be distributed among the Chattooga County School District and the Town of Trion School District, allocated based upon applicable October, 2026 student enrollments of the School Districts, as provided in the Georgia Constitution, with the sales and use taxes to be used for the following purposes:
For the Chattooga County School District for the purpose of (i) constructing and equipping additional classrooms and instructional and support space, (ii) remodeling, renovating and equipping classrooms, instructional and support space, and other facilities (including physical education/athletic/CTAE facilities) at existing school system facilities, (iii) acquiring land and conducting site preparation of real estate for school district purposes, (iv) acquiring furnishings, equipment and fixtures for new and existing facilities system-wide, including technology equipment, safety and security equipment, textbooks, library books, school buses, maintenance and transportation equipment, and school system vehicles, (v) enhancing safety and security at all school system facilities and campuses through the acquisition, installation, and upgrading of security infrastructure and systems, including controlled access points, surveillance equipment, emergency communication systems, and other equipment necessary to promote a safe and secure learning and working environment for students, staff, and visitors, with the estimated aggregate cost of such projects to be financed from funds raised by the Sales Tax being $10,155,750; (vi) payment of a portion of the principal and interest due on the Chattooga County School District's General Obligation Bonds, Series 2022, the maximum amount of such payments not to exceed $8,093,250; (vii) paying any general obligation debt of the Chattooga County School District issued in conjunction with the imposition of the Sales Tax; and (viii) paying expenses incident to accomplishing the foregoing.
For the Town of Trion School District, for the purpose of (i) acquiring, constructing and equipping additional classrooms, instructional and support facilities and physical education facilities, (ii) remodeling, renovating and equipping classrooms, instructional and support space and other facilities (including physical education/athletic facilities) at existing school district facilities, (iii) acquiring land and conducting site preparation of real estate for school district purposes, (iv) acquiring furnishings, equipment and fixtures for new and existing facilities system-wide, (v) acquiring technology equipment, safety and security equipment, text books, teaching software, school buses, maintenance and transportation equipment, and school system vehicles, (vi) paying a portion of the debt service on the general obligation bonds of Trion School District to be issued in 2026 or 2027, with a maximum payment amount of $6,463,000; the aggregate estimated cost of such projects and debt service payments to be financed from funds raised by the Sales Tax being $8,651,000; and (vii) paying expenses incident to accomplishing the foregoing.
If the continuation of the tax is approved by the voters and if a majority of the voters of the Chattooga County School District approve the continuation of the tax, such vote shall also constitute approval of the issuance of general obligation debt of Chattooga County School District in the principal amount of $5,000,000 for the purposes of the Chattooga County School District described in items (i)-(v) and (viii) above and for the purpose of payment of a portion of the interest on such debt.