As heard on the radio

Fulton County Commission Chairman John Eaves says he wants to hold a vote for a local penny sales tax to fund transportation projects as soon as next year.

Eaves says the county has to fix its transportation problems because it’s vital to Fulton’s future competitiveness. He says it’s the top concern he hears from those considering a relocation to the region, and the primary complaint he hears from current residents.

“You can’t just get frustrated without seeking a solution, and the fix for transportation woes is funding,” Eaves said. “The only way you can get funding is through some additional source of revenue.”

To raise the funds, Eaves wants to put a penny sales tax for transportation projects, also known as a T-SPLOST, up for a vote as soon as 2016. His plan is possible thanks to a nearly billion dollar transportation bill approved by the state legislature this year, which also gives regions the authority to option a tax like this.

In 2012, a statewide T-SPLOST failed in every metro county – including Fulton. To have a shot at passing this time around, the county will need the help of Atlanta, one of the few places the 2012 T-SPLOST did well.

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed declined to weigh in on the idea of another go-round with a penny sales tax pitch to voters. However, he suggested there would be support here for it, should it come to a vote.

“When we had the T-SPLOST previously, more than 59 percent of the people who live in the city of Atlanta voted for it, so that certainly suggests that there is an appetite for transit and mobility,” Reed said.

The governor is expected to sign the transportation bill next week.