DALTON, Ga. — Whitfield County’s current Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) ends June 30, 2019, after five years. Members of the county Board of Commissioners are looking at asking residents for a new SPLOST next year, likely during a special election in March.

And on Tuesday, they are asking residents what they think of the idea. They will hold a public input meeting, basically an open house, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Edwards Park Community Center near Varnell.

“It will be a chance for us to talk to voters about how SPLOST works and to answer questions from them,” said board Chairman Lynn Laughter. “It’s also a chance for us to get any ideas they may have.”

Commissioners are putting together a list of county projects that could be funded from a new SPLOST. Projects commissioners are floating are a new administrative building in downtown Dalton, a new park in south Whitfield County and a gym for Westside Park.

“My biggest concern is that we have a lot of bridges that are getting old and going to have to be repaired or replaced,” said Commissioner Greg Jones. “But I want to know what the voters think, what are their wants and needs.”

The current SPLOST is expected to collect about $63.6 million before it expires. It funded a new emergency radio system for first responders, new firetrucks for both the Dalton and Whitfield fire departments, and the park that is under construction at the Haig Mill reservoir, among other projects.