Harris Co. citizens vote to pass bond referendum for new elementary school, ESPLOST

HAMILTON, Ga. (WTVM) - Many communities in the Chattahoochee Valley prepared for voters to cast their ballots, including in Harris County.

Harris County voters decided on a bond referendum for funding an elementary school, as well as the future of the Board of Education’s Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax - or ESPLOST.

Assistant Superintendent Justin Finney said the small tax would help fund big education opportunities for students in the county.

“How impactful that the one penny sales tax is for us. One thing that some people might not understand is the one penny sales tax is spread out among everybody who shops in Harris County - especially tourists who come to Roosevelt State Park, Callaway Gardens... those types of things,” said Finney. “It helps stabilize the property taxes for property owners here in Harris County, so we just want everybody to get out and vote and make what they feel is the best decision for Harris County.”

The bond referendum was passed in a 1,656 to 620 yes vote, while the ESPLOST was passed with a yes vote of 1,649.

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