Effingham County Recreation & Sports Updates

Story by Cindy Reid

November 2—SPLOST Date

“Effingham has to get out and vote!” says Clarence Morgan, Director of the Effingham County Recreation & Sports Department, referring to the upcoming ballot referendum on November 2.

 “It’s vitally important that the voters of Effingham County know the benefits of SPLOST for our county and our community. Without the revenue from SPLOST we would not have the Clarence E Morgan Complex and many other recreational opportunities for our county.”

He continues, “It’s just as important that voters know this is not a new tax, it’s an existing tax. This is a vote on a renewal of SPLOST. Nothing will change in terms of your taxes. We call it ’the SPLOST penny’ because it’s a one cent tax added to retail and other sales—so it’s something most people don’t even notice in their daily life, but it’s something that makes a huge difference in our county services.” 

What is SPLOST?

SPLOST is a special-purpose local-option sales and use tax (SPLOST) financing method for funding capital outlay projects in Georgia. It is an optional 1% sales tax levied by any county for the purpose of funding the building of parks, schools, roads, and other public facilities. It is an extremely popular program across the state and responsible for many civic improvements.

Effingham County put the SPLOST renewal on the November 2 ballot because the current SPLOST—which lasted 5 years—is set to expire in June 2022. TSPLOT passed in April and that will fund the roads, and other transportation issues, which is different than the SPLOST on November’s ballot.

The referendum will renew the SPLOST for the purpose of raising of approximately $80 million to fund capital outlay projects. Effingham County government and the city councils in Rincon, Guyton and Springfield recently reached an intergovernmental agreement regarding spending the $80 million over six years if voters opt to continue SPLOST.

Effingham County and its 3 municipalities must approve project lists for capital project expenditures for revenue generated with the SPLOST. Effingham County has 2 projects lists, one for county-wide projects and one for its pro rata share of funds for the incorporated area based on population. The Level 2 list is estimated to be $16 million. The unincorporated list is estimated to be $47,622,400. The Parks and Recreation Capital Projects line is $24,800,000, which is 52.08% of that figure.

County Growth

Morgan says “Effingham County’s is the 27th fastest growing county in the USA. County wide growth directly impacts the recreation department in terms of participation and usage of our facilities, and in order to keep pace with the growth we are experiencing, we need to continually grow our facilities.”

He says the recreation department is barely meeting their basic needs for fields and gym space for all the sports teams and participants. If the SPLOST referendum passes, funds they receive will be used immediately to keep pace with the growth the department is experiencing.

“We are up 25-30% enrollment is our sports teams programs. Football is up, cheerleading is up, soccer is up, and girls’ volleyball is up. We are busting at the seams! We are on track to have over 80 soccer teams, including the 22 travel club teams,” Morgan says. “We don’t know what the spring sports season will bring, we most likely will have the same increase in enrollment that we are seeing in all the other sports, if not higher because softball and baseball are very popular activities.”

If reimposition of the tax is approved by the voters, the vote will also constitute approval of the issuance of general obligation debt in the principal amount of $16,000,000 for the purposes of funding all or a portion of any of the projects.

“The county can borrow at 1.5%, and with inflation at 3-6%, so this is a win-win,” says Morgan. “We will be able to start work right away on what we need in late 2021 versus waiting until mid-2022. That puts us ahead of the game in providing much needed services.”

SPLOST Penny at Work at Clarence E Morgan Complex

The 120-acre Clarence E Morgan (CEM) Complex in Springfield, Ga., was built with SPLOST funds over the course of three years. “13.5 million of SPLOST funds were spent on the CEM Complex, as well as one million donated by the Josh Reddick Foundation (see article p. 10), and we want to continue our growth as the county grows, and this is a first class facility that requires a level of first class maintenance that we need to continue throughout the years,” says Morgan.

Phase One consisted of five baseball fields, walking trails, parking, concessions, restrooms, a maintenance building, a handicap-accessible playground, a smaller playground, batting tunnels, covered and lighted bleachers, a picnic pavilion and associated infrastructure and was completed in 2017.

The recently completed 27,800 square foot recreation gym features two full basketball courts that can be separated by a removable folding wall to accommodate 250 spectators, as well as bleachers, public restrooms, concession with cooking, storage, changing rooms, and a small office suite.  The facility serves a dual purpose as a special events center and was completed in 2020.

“We have a desperate need for the CEM complex to be completed. We need 4-5 more baseball fields and 4-5 more football/soccer/lacrosse mixed use fields. We are hoping we can add a splash pad, a skate park, the small RV park that was in the original plans, and maybe pickleball courts, and another outdoor basketball court. We will be built out through the 120 acres before we know it.” Morgan says, “This is what SPLOST does for our kids, and for our county. One little penny sure goes a long way.”

SPLOST Penny at Work in Sandhill

At the other end of the county SPLOST funded capital improvements made to the Sandhill facility last year. Two new batting cages, an outdoor basketball court with benches and bleachers, 12 new soccer goals, and a soccer complex fence were all added in 2020.

 “We have a good start at Sandhill” says Morgan, “but we need to do more. Forty percent of recreational services are provided at the south end of the county, with 60% focused on the north end. We need to balance out services and have first class facilities at both ends of the county.”

Morgan says he sees an opportunity to use SPLOST funds at Sandhill to bring it up to the level of the CEM complex in quality, if not in overall size. “We are looking to expand in Sandhill, to catch up and make another first-class facility, while maintaining CEM as a first-class facility. SPLOST needs to passed to make all this happen.”

Recreation & Sports News

Trunk or Treat – Oct 28, 5:30 to 7 pm at the CEM complex. Free family fun for everyone! Last year was the first time it was held as a drive through event and 500 vehicles—an increase of more than 100 cars—attended. The popular event is funded by the recreation department with support from community sponsors.

Basketball Season – Registration is Oct 4 to Nov 2, Open to boys aged 5 to 17, Girls aged 5 to 14 (age control date 9-1-21)

Lacrosse 2022 – Registration is Dec 15 to Jan 15—Open to boys 10 to 14, Girls 11 to 15. For ages 6-9, a separate registration is held from Jan 15 to Feb 15, 2022.

For all sports registrations, you can register online at effinghamrec.org or come by the office Mon-Fri, 8:30 am-5:00 pm.

Coaching—Due to the high turnout, there are more teams than ever, and the department needs volunteer coaches at every level. If you would like to coach, please call the office at 912-754-6339. It’s fun and rewarding!

New Staff Members

The recreation department has three new employees, two of whom are replacing retired staff and one is filling a new position. Jeff Lonon and Ryan Sanders are the new assistant directors, and Shelane Westbrook is the new office manager.

Morgan says his dedicated and hardworking staff “is why we are in pretty good shape” during this period of growth. “I couldn’t do it without them and all our wonderful volunteers” he says.

But he wants one thing from the community—to get our and vote YES on SPLOST on November 2.

“This raises all of the county economically. Effingham County is growing so rapidly, and we are providing services to so many, so support your county and get out and vote!”

www.effinghamcounty.org/289/Recreation-Parks  |  (912) 754-6339  | https://www.facebook.com/EffinghamRec