As part of last week’s discussion on the LaGrange budget for the 2018-2019 fiscal year, the LaGrange City Council reviewed which Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax projects are expected to see progress in the upcoming year.

SPLOST V will not begin collection until January 2019, but several projects are planned for this year which were listed during the SPLOST vote in November 2017.

So far in 2018, the SPLOST has funded the second segment of The Thread, the Bull Street realignment, the Broad Street roundabout, the Eastside Park Master Plan, downtown streetscaping, utility relocation and Tom Hall Parkway.

Currently, work is underway on Hills & Dales Farm Road and segment three of The Thread, which are also funded through SPLOST.

Other SPLOST projects expected to see progress or be completed during the next fiscal year include the city skate plaza, LaGrange Fire Department Station five, a new LFD burn building, a master park plan and segments four and five of The Thread. The city estimates that it will have $2,239,878 in available funds in the SPLOST budget by the end of this fiscal year on June 30, 2018.

Estimated expenses for the 2018-2019 fiscal year include:

$500,000 for road and bridge improvements

$1,463,000 for bicycle/sidewalk facilities and neighborhood park

$100,000 for utility relocation for road and bridge improvements

$1,450,000 for public safety facilities and equipment

SPLOST IV will continue through December 2018.