By Jasmine Stark
Made with assistance from generative AI.
ESPLOST is back on the Ballot this year. On November 4th, Monroe County voters will decide whether to extend the Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST)—a 1% sales tax that has funded school construction, safety upgrades, and technology improvements since 1999. This is not a new tax, and it would not raise property taxes, but it would continue funding for key education projects for another five years.
What Is ESPLOST?
ESPLOST is a one-penny sales tax used only for capital expenses like school buildings, safety systems, buses, and technology. Since 1999, Monroe County voters have approved ESPLOST every five years, allowing consistent investment in schools without increasing property taxes.
What Would the Extension Fund?
If approved, the 2025 ESPLOST—combined with up to $96.5 million in general obligation bonds—would fund:
- A new Mary Persons High School to address overcrowding across the county.
- Renovations and modernization of existing school facilities.
- Upgraded safety and security across campuses.
- Expanded instructional and athletic spaces.
- Continued investment in technology and transportation.
- Land acquisition for future growth.
With current ESPLOST collections averaging $650,000 per month, and an expected $250,000 monthly boost from Buc-ee’s, officials project enough revenue to repay bonds and support additional capital needs.
Why Now?
Although the current ESPLOST hasn’t expired, it’s expected to reach its $42 million cap early. A timely vote ensures continued funding without delay. According to the district, every school in the county is currently over capacity due to steady population growth. The new high school would relieve overcrowding in all buildings by allowing the current Mary Persons campus to be converted into a second middle school for seventh and eighth graders and moving fifth graders from the elementary schools to share the current middle school with the sixth graders.
What Happens If the ESPLOST Doesn’t Pass?
Without the ESPLOST extension, the district warns of a significant funding shortfall that could require a property tax increase of 4.46 to 6.17 mills—adding $446 to $617 annually for a $250,000 home. Portable classrooms may also be needed to manage student overflow.
Arguments For the ESPLOST
Supporters highlight several advantages:
- Shared cost: Sales tax spreads the burden across all shoppers, not just property owners and with I-75 running through the heart of our county, it is estimated that over 50% of our sales tax comes from visitor spending.
- Avoids property tax hikes while funding necessary improvements.
- Proven results: Past ESPLOSTs built the College and Career Academy, a new 9th grade campus, and upgraded athletics and infrastructure.
- Prepares for growth as enrollment continues to rise.
Concerns and Criticisms
Opponents raise a few concerns:
- Sales tax is regressive, affecting low-income residents more.
- Revenue depends on consumer spending, which can vary in economic downturns.
- Project priorities—some question spending on athletics or technology over core academics.
- Over-reliance—critics argue the county may become too dependent on ESPLOST instead of seeking long-term solutions.
How to Vote
Election Day: Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Early Voting Begins: Monday, October 14, 2025
The ESPLOST measure will appear on the ballot alongside a request to approve general obligation bonds, enabling the district to begin construction before all sales tax revenue is collected.
Final Thoughts
As Monroe County grows, the need for expanded school infrastructure becomes more urgent. The ESPLOST extension offers a way to meet these needs without raising property taxes, but it also raises valid questions about long-term planning and equity. Voters will decide whether to continue this approach—or pursue new funding solutions.
Sources:
- Monroe County Schools. (n.d.). What You Should Know About the ESPLOST. ESPLOST Resource Center. https://www.monroe.k12.ga.us/page/esplost-resource-center
- 13WMAZ. “Monroe County Schools Ask Voters for $100 Million…” Facebook, 24 Sept. 2025, https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=24613938031604359
