Dawson County Voters to Decide on SPLOST 8 Renewal

Proposed projects include infrastructure upgrades and public facility expansions.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Voters in Dawson County, Georgia will have the opportunity to renew the county's Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) program in the upcoming primary election this May. SPLOST 8, if approved, would continue the 1% sales tax to fund a variety of infrastructure, public facility, and community development projects across the county.

Why it matters

The SPLOST program has been an important tool for Dawson County to finance major capital projects without relying solely on property taxes. Renewal of SPLOST 8 would allow the county to move forward with plans to upgrade aging roads and bridges, expand public safety facilities, and invest in parks and recreation.

The details

SPLOST 8 proposes to allocate funds for projects such as resurfacing and widening key county roads, constructing a new public safety training facility, and expanding the county's parks system. The total projected revenue from SPLOST 8 over its 6-year term is $80 million.

  • Dawson County voters will have the opportunity to approve SPLOST 8 in the May 2026 primary election.
  • If approved, SPLOST 8 would be in effect from 2027 to 2032.

The players

Dawson County

The local government entity that oversees the SPLOST program and proposed projects for the upcoming referendum.

Dawson County Voters

The residents of Dawson County who will decide whether to approve the SPLOST 8 referendum in the May 2026 primary election.

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What they’re saying

“SPLOST has been a critical funding source for Dawson County to address our infrastructure needs and improve public facilities without overburdening taxpayers.”

— Julie Nix, Dawson County Commission Chair (dawsonnews.com)

“Renewing SPLOST will allow us to continue investing in the county's future and maintain the high quality of life our residents expect.”

— Tim Evans, Dawson County Manager (dawsonnews.com)

What’s next

If approved by voters in May 2026, SPLOST 8 would take effect on January 1, 2027 and run through December 31, 2032.

The takeaway

Dawson County's SPLOST program has been an effective way to fund critical infrastructure and public facility projects without relying solely on property taxes. Renewal of SPLOST 8 would allow the county to continue investing in its future growth and development.