Special Purpose Local Options Sales Tax, or SPLOST, was a key talking point for Effingham County Manager Tim Callanan on Thursday during the State of the County address.
Callanan kicked off the address noting several park improvements paid with funds raised through the 2022 sales tax. Those included upgrades at Baker Pond Community Park, including a new pickleball courts and playground equipment, as well as a resurfaced lighted trail and a dedicated dog park.
Baker Park is one of the only areas in the county that gives residents direct access to water recreation via a kayak launch, fishing pier and boat ramp.
“It’s a wonderful park,” said Callanan. “About three days a week
when I’m driving home, it’s lit up and loaded with people. More importantly, it’s loaded with kids. This is a great [way] to get them out of the house.”
SPLOST money also helped get Atlas Lake ready for use. The 600-acre outdoor recreation space will feature campgrounds; a 138-acre lake for swimming, boating and fishing; walking trails; a playground; a pavilion and more. It may include a beach.
Callanan said the space could include 16 courts for pickleball and possibly become a site for pickleball tournaments.
Callanan showed more enthusiam when describing improvements coming to the park in Clyo.
“This park packs the biggest punch of them all,” said Callanan. “It has the biggest baseball field, a perimeter walking trail and media room. There are limited broadband capabilities in that area, so kids will have access to complete their homework or whatever they want.”
SPLOST funds have also contributed to two new public safety buildings, the emergency operations center and the animal shelter.
What to expect for SPLOST 2026
At the event, Callanan unveiled plans for SPLOST 2026, which he said is expected to raise $200 million.
Countywide projects will consume $50 million of those funds. Rincon, Springfield and Guyton will also get a percentage of the tax dollars.
An all-access playground for the special needs community is planned, which Callanan said would be the largest playground in Effingham County.
A concept plan for a brand-new park on the south end of the county was unveiled during the event. Hodgeville Park, as it’s called, is a proposed 18-acre recreation space that is expected to have a gym, walking trail, playground, dog park and potentially an aquatic center.
Callanan said the county needs to build a new library, calling it a “big ticket item.”
“We have to rebuild the Rincon library,” said Callanan. “We are working with the city of Rincon, library board, the regional library system and the state to come up with a design that meets everyone’s vision. If there are funds at the end, we will be looking to build an additional library, potentially on Highway 30.”
Latrice Williams is a general assignment reporter covering Bryan and Effingham County. She can be reached at lwilliams6@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Atlas Lake, Baker Park upgrades highlight Effingham SPLOST impact
