The Trion Town Council met on Thursday evening and approved the education SPLOST that was presented by the Trion Board of Education.  The referendum has already been approved by the Chattooga County Board of Education.  The measure now must get the approval of Chattooga County voters.

The SPLOST referendum, if approved, would mean a new high school for Chattooga County students and a new gym for Trion High School.  Chattooga County residents would see a continuation of the 7% sales tax if the measure is passed by voters.  The 7% tax rate is the norm for most counties in Northwest Georgia.  Both Floyd County to the south and Walker County to the north have a 7% tax rate.

Chattooga County Probate Judge and Election Superintendent Jon Payne told AM 1180 earlier this summer that a SPLOST vote could be held without costing the county as much as a normal election since the number of poll workers needed for ballot initiatives such as SPLOST votes is not as many as an election with candidates on the ballot.

UPDATE – There will NOT be a called board meeting of the Chattooga County Board of Education on Friday.  Since the Trion Town Council approved the SPLOST referendum on Thursday evening there will not need to be a meeting on Friday according to Chattooga County BOE Chairman Eddie Massey.