DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. — Most election-weary Dawson County voters showed no interest in going to the polls amid a torrential rainstorm Tuesday. Thus, with less than five percent of registered voters participating, the $60 million, 6-year Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) passed, 829-228.

Dawsonville Mayor Mike Eason was happy with the outcome. “It’s a great thing for our county as well as out city,” he said Wednesday. “It’s going to help us all to reach our goals and do some projects we couldn’t do otherwise.”

City projects to be funded by SPLOST VII include construction of a new water treatment plant, repair and repaving city streets, intersection improvements, land acquisition, Main Street Park, Phases III and IV and downtown revitalization.

Dawson County Commission Chairman Billy Thurmond, said, “It’s just a great day for Dawson County and I thank the citizens for their yes vote. This means the county can, over the next six years, fund many projects. It will give us the opportunity to keep our rolling stock up, with new ambulances, new fire trucks and patrol cars.”

SPLOST VII will also fund the construction of Emergency Operations Center and Emergency Communications System.