HomeMy Public PortalAbout020_040_SPLOST Intergovernmental Agreement STATE OF GEORGIA )
COUNTY OF CHATHAM )
INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT
FOR THE USE AND DISTRIBUTION OF PROCEEDS FROM THE 2014
SPECIAL PURPOSE LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX
FOR CAPITAL OUTLAY PROJECTS
THIS AGREEMENT (this Agreement) is made and entered this day of September,
2013, by and between Chatham County, a political subdivision of the State of Georgia (the
County), and the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah, a municipal corporation and a
political subdivision of the State of Georgia(City)
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, O.C.G.A. § 48-8-110 et seq. (the Act), authorizes the levy of a one percent
special purpose local option sales tax for the purpose of financing capital outlay projects for the use
and benefit of the County and qualified municipalities within the County; and
WHEREAS, the County, City, as well as other municipal corporations, met on June 18,
2013,in compliance with the requirements of O.C.G.A. §48-8-111(a),to discuss possible projects
for inclusion in an election to be held on November 5, 2013. for the purpose authorizing the
reimposition of the special purpose local option sales tax now in effect in Chatham County and
presently expected to terminate on September 30, 2014; and
WHEREAS, the County and City have negotiated a division of the Special Purpose Local
Option Sales Tax(SPLOST)to be collected in the event a majority of the votes cast in the election
are in favor of reimposing the SPLOST; and
WHEREAS,the parties hereto anticipate that the County will enter into separate agreements
with the other municipalities in the County(the"Municipalities')providing for the distribution of a
portion of SPLOST proceeds to such other municipalities to fund allowable capital outlay projects
which will be authorized by the referendum to be held on November 5, 2013, if passed;and
WHEREAS,the County,the City,and the Municipalities,and all citizens of the County will
derive substantial benefits from the proposed projects to be funded by SPLOST proceeds distributed
pursuant to this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the County has been asked to submit to the qualified voters of the County
at
an election to be held November 5,2013,the question of whether the voters will approve the
Special Sales Tax and the issuance of up to $30,000,000 of general obligation debt of the County
(the 'Bonds"); and
WHEREAS,the County determined that it is in its best interests to fund a portion of
the County Projects from the proceeds of the Bonds; and
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WHEREAS. it is necessary that the County set forth its respective legal
rights, responsibilities, and obligations regarding the proposed issuance of the Bonds.
NOW,THEREFORE,in consideration ofthe mutual promises and understandings made in
this Agreement,and for other good and valuable consideration,the County and the City consent and
agree as follows:
Section 1. Representations and Mutual Covenants
A. The County makes the following representations and warranties which may be
specifically relied upon by all parties as a basis for entering this Agreement:
(i) The County is a political subdivision duly created and organized under the
Constitution and laws of the State of Georgia;
(ii) The governing authority of the County is duly authorized to execute, deliver and
perform this Agreement;
(iii) This Agreement is a valid, binding,and enforceable obligation of the County;and
(iv) The County will take all actions necessary to call an election to be held in all voting
precincts in the County on the 5th day of November, 2013, for the purpose of
submitting to the voters of the County for their approval,the question of whether or
not a SPLOST shall be imposed on all sales and uses within the special district of
Chatham County for a period of 24 quarters (6 years), commencing as provided in
Section 4, to raise an estimated $370,000,000 to be used for funding the projects
specified in Exhibit A attached hereto.
(v) Net proceeds of the Bonds shall be deposited into a special trust account as further
outlined herein of the County to be used for the acquisition and construction of the
County Projects.The Bonds shall be a general obligation debt of the County.Prior to
or concurrently with the issuance and delivery of the Bonds,the County shall make
contract payments of the principal of and interest on the Bonds. To the extent the
proceeds of the Special Sales Tax are insufficient, the County shall levy an ad
valorem tax on all taxable property located within the limits of the special district
subject to taxation for such purposes, at such rate or rates as may be necessary to
produce revenues to pay such debt service payments, and to certify that it will take
no actions that would impair the exclusion of interest on the Bonds from federal
income taxation.
B. The City makes the following representations and warranties which may be specifically
relied upon by all parties as a basis for entering this Agreement:
(i) The City is a municipal corporation duly created and organized under the laws of the
State of Georgia;
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(ii) The governing authority of the City is duly authorized to execute, deliver and
perform this Agreement;
(iii) This Agreement is a valid,binding, and enforceable obligation of the City;
(iv) ThoCityiauquuUOcdruun[oipaUtyosdnfiondiuO.C.G.A. G48-8'll0 (4); aud
(v) The City is located entirely or partially within the geographic boundaries of the
special tax district created in the County.
C. It is the inten on of the County and City to comply in all respects with O.C.G.f\. 8
48-8-110 et seq.and all provisions of this Agreement shall be construed in light of 0.C.G.A.
048-8'llO «tseq.
Section Z . Restrictions as to Use of Tax Funds.
A. The City and the County shall comply with all requirements of Georgia law pertaining to
all SPLOST funds each receives, including but not limited to the following:
(i) All SPLOST funds and interest received may only be used for p jects described in
Exhibit A. If circumstances arise which dictate that a project vrbjoblubiu]lyoc*cned
feasible is no longer so, then the governing body to which the SPLOST funds for
such project was allocated under this Agreement, may use its lowful discretion to
make adjustments in its plan of capital p 'ectu. In the event that the cost to
complete a project is less than the amount allocated to that project under this
Agreement, then the governing body to which the SPLOST funds for such p 'ect
were allocated, may use its lawful discretion to make adjustments in its plan of
capital projects 1uoblizetbntbodnfhrothmc projects providud0nriutbio/\greenmeot. •
This provision shall he construed io light ofO.C.[;./\. 848-M-]23.
(ii) All SPLOST funds received shall be accounted for in a separate fund as more fully
described herein and not commingled with other monies prior to expenditure for
allowable uses.
(iii) Interest earned from the investment of SPLOST funds prior to their disbursement for
allowable expenditures shall be considered SPLOST funds and used under the same
restriction for SPLOST funds as set forth in subparagraph(i) above. •
(iv) No SPLOST funds received may be used for general operating expenses. SPLOST
funds may be used to repay loans made to temporarily fund SPLOST capita 'ect
in anticipation of receipt of SPLOST funds.
B. The County and City agree to proceed with the acquisition, construction, design,
permitting, equipping and installation of the projects specified in Exhibit A of this
Agreement, subject to the availability of funds.
C. The County and City agree that each approved SPLOST project associated with this
Agreement shall be maintained as a public facility and in public ownership.If ownership of a
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project financed pursuant to this Agreement is transferred to private ownership within 10
years of the SPLOST expiration, the proceeds of the sale shall, for the purposes of this
Agreement,be deemed excess funds and disposed of as provided under O.C.G.A. §48-8-121
(g)(2).
D.The County and City agree to maintain thorough and accurate records concerning receipt
of SPLOST proceeds and expenditures for each project undertaken as required to fulfill the
terms of this Agreement.
Section 3. Conditions Precedent
A.The obligations of the County and City pursuant to this Agreement are conditioned upon
the adoption of a resolution of the County calling for the imposition of the SPLOST in
accordance with the provisions of O.C.G.A. § 48-8-111 (a).
B. This Agreement is further conditioned upon the approval of the proposed imposition of
the SPLOST by the voters of the County in a referendum to be held in accordance with the
provisions of O.C.G.A. § 48-8-111 (b)through (e).
C.This Agreement is further conditioned upon the collecting of the SPLOST revenues by the
State Department of Revenue and transferring same to the County.
Section 4. Effective Date and Term of the Tax
The SPLOST, subject to approval in an election to be held on November 5, 2013, shall
continue for a period of six years with collections beginning on the earlier of October 1,2014 or the
termination of the special purpose local option sales tax now in effect.
Section 5.Effective Date and Term of This Agreement
This Agreement shall commence upon the date of its execution and shall terminate upon the
later of:
A. The official declaration of the failure of the election described in this Agreement; or
B. The expenditure by the County and City of the money collected from the SPLOST.
Section 6. County SPLOST Fund; Separate Accounts; Ni Commingling
A. Should the County elect not to validate the bonds issued as a part of the special election,
then the County shall create a separate fund by the County and designated as the 2014
Chatham County Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax Fund (SPLOST Fund). The
County shall select a local bank which shall act as a depository and custodian of the
SPLOST Fund upon such terms and conditions as may be acceptable to the County.
However, prior to or concurrently with the issuance and delivery of the Bonds,the County
will create and establish with a bank designated by the County three special accounts which
shall be designated as the COUNTY 2013 SPECIAL COUNTY ONE PERCENT SALES
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AND USE TAX PROCEEDS ACCOUNT (the "SPLOST FUND "), the COUNTY
GENERAL OBLIGATION SALES TAX BONDS, SERIES 2013 DEBT SERVICE
ACCOUNT (the "County Debt Service Account 2013") and the COUNTY 2013
ELECTION COUNTY PROJECTS ACCOUNT(the "County Projects Account 2013").
Money in each of said accounts shall be held separate and apart from all other funds of the
County and shall not in any manner be comingled with other funds of the County.
B.The City shall create a special fund to be designated as the 2014 City of Savannah Special
Purpose Local Option Sales Tax Fund. The City shall select a local bank which shall act as a
depository and custodian of the SPLOST proceeds received by the City upon such terms and
conditions as may be acceptable to the City.
C. Al( SPLOST proceeds shall be maintained by the County and the City in the separate
accounts or funds established pursuant to this Section. Except as provided in Section 7,
SPLOST proceeds shall not be commingled with other funds of the County or City and shall
be used exclusively for the purposes detailed in this Agreement. No funds other than
SPLOST proceeds and related revenues shall be placed in such funds or accounts.
Section 7. Procedure for Disbursement of SPLOST Proceeds
A. Upon receipt by the County of SPLOST proceeds collected by the State Department of
Revenue, the County shall immediately deposit said proceeds in the SPLOST Fund. The
monies in the SPLOST Fund shall be held and applied to the cost of acquiring,constructing
and installing the capital outlay p jcctm|istedioExbibdAuodaopcovidodinPuoagrapbB
of this Section.
Q. In accordance with O.C.G.A. &48-8-l3l(e), part of the proceeds of the tax will be
used for the payment of the Bonds.No part of the net proceeds from the tax received in
any Bond Year shall be used for any other purposes whatsoever until all debt service
requirements of the Bonds for that Bond Year have first been uu1iyfiedfrom the 3Pl.Q0'[
Fund.
C. After the County Debt Service Account 2013 has sufficient money therein to pay the
principal of and interest coming due on the Bonds in the then current Bond Year, all
remaining proceeds of the Special Sales Tax subsequently received in said Bond Year(the
"Unencumbered Distributions")shall be distributed by the County to the City for its projects
in accordance with the percentages provided by this Intergovernmental Agreement in Exhibit
A,provided,however,that the amount distributed to the County Debt Service Account 2013
shall be deemed to be a portion of the percentage assigned to the County and that the
distribution percentages for the Unencumbered Distributions shall be adjusted so as to cause
the total distribution of all SPLOST proceeds(being the sum of distributions to the County
Debt Service Account and Unencumbered Distributions) for the Bond Year shall be as
provided by Exhibit A.
D. The County will be responsible for distributing such remaining proceeds in accordance
with the Notice of Election and Exhibit A.
E. The County, following deposit of the SPLOST proceeds in the SPLOST Fund, shall
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disburse the pro-rata share of SPLOST proceeds due to City within 30 business days of
such deposit according to the schedule in Exhibit A. The proceeds shall be deposited in
the separate funds established by the City in accordance with Section 6 of this
Agreement.The City shall hold and apply the monies so deposited against the cost of
acquiring, constructing and installing the capital outlay projects or the retirement of
general obligation debt listed in Exhibit A.
F. The proceeds of the Special Sales Tax shall be distributed between County, City and
the other municipalities in accordance with Exhibit A.
G. Should any Municipality cease to exist as a legal entity before all funds are
distributed under this Agreement,that Municipality's share of the funds subsequent to
dissolution shall be paid to the County as part of the County's share unless an act of the
Georgia General Assembly makes the defunct Municipality part of another successor
municipality, in which event the defunct Municipality's share shall be paid to the
successor Municipality in addition to all other funds to which the successor Municipality
would otherwise be entitled.
Section 8.Projects
All capital outlay projects, to be funded in whole or in part from SPLOST proceeds, are
listed in Exhibit A which is attached hereto and made part of this Agreement.The Notice of Election
calling for the imposition of the tax is also herein specifically referenced and made a part of this
agreement.
Section 9.Priority and Order of Project Funding
Projects shall be fully or partially funded in accordance with the schedule set forth in Exhibit
A of this Agreement. Except as provided in Paragraph B and Paragraph C of Section 10 of this
Agreement, any change to the priority or schedule must be agreed to in writing.
Section 10. Completion of Projects
A.The County and City acknowledge that the costs shown for the County's and the City's
respective projects described in Exhibit A are estimated amounts. As listed in Exhibit A,
should SPLOST proceeds be insufficient to complete any capital outlay project, then the
responsibility for additional funding and completion shall rest with the entity responsible for
the project.
B. If a County project has been satisfactorily completed at a cost less than the estimated cost
listed for that project in Exhibit A,the County may apply the remaining unexpended funds to
any other County project in Exhibit A.
C. If a City or other municipal project has been satisfactorily completed at a cost less than
the estimated cost listed for that project in Exhibit A, then the City or Municipality may
apply the remaining unexpended funds to any other project included for the City or that
Municipality in Exhibit A, or as otherwise provided by law.
Page 6
Section 11. Expenses
The County shall administer the SPLOST Fund to effectuate the terms of this Agreement and
shall be reimbursed for the actual costs of administration of the SPLOST Fund from the County's
SPLOST allocation as determined by Exhibit A.
Section 12. Retention of Records
The parties agree to retain all records pertaining to the SPLOST funds for a period of four
years subsequent to the expiration of the SPLOST and to make such records reasonably available to
each other upon request.
Section 13. Use of SPLOST Funds
The County,the City and the Municipalities shall use the SPLOST funds only for SPLOST
eligible p 'eds.
Section 14. Other Requirements.
The parties agree that they each will abide by any other requirements regarding the use and
accounting for SPLOST funds as specified by Georgia law, and in the event that any party fails to
follow all applicable requirements of Georgia law, it shall hold all other parties harmless for any
such failure.
Section 15. Agreement Effective When Executed by the City and County
This Agreement shall be effective when executed by Savannah and the County. The County
may enter into separate agreements with other Municipalities that are not signatories to this
Agreement and other organizations upon such terms as appropriate to insure that funds will be used
for SPLOST eligible projects and meet the requirements of the law. If there is an inconsistency
between such agreements and this Agreement regarding the distribution and allocation terms,this
Agreement shall govern.
Section 16. Audits
A.Du the term of this Agreement,the distribution and use of all SPLOST proceeds shall
be aud < annually by an independent certified public accounting firm in accordance with
{l.C.G.&. § 48-0-121 (a)(2). The County and City receiving SPLOST proceeds shall be
responsible for the cost of their respectiv audits. The County and City agree to cooperate
with the independent certified public accounting Iii ui in any audit by providing all necessary
information.
B. The City shall provide the County a copy of the audit of the distribution and use of the
SPLOST proceeds by the City.
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Section 17.Notices
All notices,consents,waivers,directions,requests or other instruments or communications
provided for under this Agreement shall be deemed properly given when delivered personally or sent
by registered or certified United States mail, postage prepaid, as follows:
If to County: R. E. Abolt, County Manager
Chatham County
PO Box 8161
Savannah, GA 31412
If to Savannah: Stephanie S. Cutter, City Manager
City of Savannah
PO Box 1027
Savannah, GA 31402
Section 18.Entire Agreement
This Agreement,including any attachments or exhibits,constitutes all of the understandings
and agreements existing between the County and City with respect to distribution and use of the
proceeds from the SPLOST. Furthermore, this Agreement supersedes all prior agreements,
negotiations and communications of whatever type, whether written or oral, between the parties
hereto with respect to distribution and use of the SPLOST funds authorized by the November 5,
2013 referendum.
Section 19. Amendments
This Agreement shall not be amended or modified except by agreement in writing executed
by the governing authorities of the County and City.
Section 20. Governing Law
This Agreement shall be deemed to have been made and shall be construed and enforced in
accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia.
Section 21. Severability
Should any phrase, clause, sentence, or paragraph of this Agreement be held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect as if such
invalid or unconstitutional provision were not contained in the Agreement unless the elimination of
such provision detrimentally reduces the consideration that any party is to receive under this
Agreement or materially affects the operation of this Agreement.
Section 22. Compliance with Law
The County and City shall comply with all applicable local, State, and Federal statutes,
ordinances,rules and regulations.
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Section 23. No Consent to Breach
No consent or waiver,express or implied,by any party to this Agreement,to any breach of
any covenant condition or duty of another party shall be construed as a consent to or waiver of any
future breach of the same.
Section 24. Counterparts
This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts,each of which shall be an original
and all of which shall constitute but one and the same instrument.
Section 25. Mediation
The County and City agree to submit any controversy arising under this Agreement to
mediation for a resolution.The parties to the mediation shall mutually select a neutral party to serve
as mediator. Costs of mediation shall be shared equally among the parties to the mediation.
(8 nontbnf� nuoc}
Page 9
-
IN WITNESS WHEREOF,the County and the City acting through their duly authorized
agents have caused this Agreement to be signed, sealed and delivered for final execution by the
County as of the date set forth above,
CHATHAM COUNTY, GEORGIA
By:
Albert J. Scott, Chairman (Seal)
Attest:
Janice Bocook, Clerk of Commission
MAYOR AND ALDERMEN OF THE
CITY OF SAVANNAH, GEORGIA
By:
Stephanie S. Cutter,City Manager (Seal)
Attest:
Dyanne C. Reese, Clerk of Council
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EXHIBIT A
Projects and Priorities for SPLOST Distribution
I. SPLOST Project . The table below lists the S9[()87 projects, ��
. . entity responsible
the project,tbc project primityfor3PLO3Tfunding,and the pro-rata share of the SPLOST monthly
distribution.
2. Distribution of SPLOST Proceeds. All SPLOST collections up to $370,000,000
shall be distributed to the County and the Munici alities on a monthly basis based upon each
entity's pro-rata percentage of the project totals based on Distribution Table below after bond
obligations outlined inO.[EA. § 48'M-l2l(:)are satisfied;provided,however,that the amount
distributed to the County Debt Service Account 2013 shall be deemed to be a portion of the
percentage assigned to the County and that the distribution percentages for the Unencumbered
Distributions shall be adjusted so as to cause the total distribution of all SPLOST proceeds
(being the sum of distributions to the County Debt Service Account and Unencumbered
Distributions)for the Bond Year shall be as provided by the Distribution Table below. Should
the total tax collection exceed$370,000,000 during the six year collection cycle, then SEDA
would receive an additional amount not to exceed $15,000,000 from the collected funds over the
$370,000,000. Such distribution of the tax at that time shall be solely collected by the County
and given to Savannah Economic Development Authori (SEDA)pursuant to an
intergovernmental contract or contract until SEDA has received an amount not to exceed a total
of$30,000,000. Should SPLOST proceeds exceed$385,000,000, the remaining SPLOST
proceeds will be allocated to the City for an arena. Should SPLOST proceeds exceed
$400,000,000,the remaining SPLOST proceeds will be allocated between the County and the
Municipalities on a pro rata population basis. The County's share of the SPLOST proceeds in
excess of$400,000,000 shall be based upon the ratio of the unincorporated population of the
County relative to the total County population. Each Municipali 's share of the SPLOST
proceeds in excess of$400,000,000 shall be based upon the ratio of that Municipality's
population relative to the total County population. The source for the population figures shall be
the final 2010 Decennial Census figures compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau. Said excess
proceeds shall be used to fund allowable projects under the terms of this agreement or as
otherwise provided for in law.
3. Projects within Municipalities. For capital outlay pr jects(i.e.that include but are not
limited to roads and drainage) that are located wholly within a Municipality, it is agreed that the
final design plans shall be approved by the Municipality. For such p 'eoto" the County and a
Municipality may have a separate agreement to transfer SPLOST funds to the Municipality which
shall assume the responsibility for detailed design, construction procurement and construction
management of the project.
Exhibit A,l
4. Issuance of General Obligation Debt. If imposition of the tax is approved by the
voters,such vote shall also constitute approval of the issuance of general obligation debt of
Chatham County in the principal amount not to exceed$30,000,000 for County projects.If such
special purpose sales and use tax is to be imposed, Chatham County,acting by and through the
Board of Commissioners of Chatham County,may issue general obligation debt, in an aggregate
principal amount not to exceed$30,000,000. The proceeds from such general obligation debt, if
issued, shall be used to fund all or a portion of the projects described in the foregoing question.
The maximum interest rate paid per year shall not exceed six percent annum. The maximum
amount of principal to be paid in each year during the life of the debt shall be as follows:
Year Principal Amount Maturing
2016 $15,000,000
2017 $15,000,000
The Board of Commissioners may issue aggregate general obligation debt which is less
than$30,000,000 and reduce the principal amount maturing shown above.
(Distribution Table Follows)
DISTRIBUTION TABLE FOR$370,000,000 IN SPLOST PROCEEDS
Exhibit A-I
Project Project Responsible Projected Pro Rata
Number Entity SPLOST Share*
Allocation (%)
1 City of Savannah projects including roads, City of $ 190,000,000 51.3514
streets and bridges; storm water and drainage; Savannah
an arena; cultural and recreational facilities;
fire protection and public safety facilities and
equipment,capital outlay projects to support
the community's economic growth and capital
outlay projects to promote neighborhood
vitality. See notes.
2 City of Bloomingdale projects including roads, City of $ 3,200,000 0.8649
streets and bridges;storm water and drainage, Bloomingdale
cultural and recreational facilities,and public
safety facilities and equipment. See notes.
3 City of Garden City projects including roads, City of Garden $ 8,085,000 2.1851
streets and bridges;cultural and recreational City
facilities, parks,fire facilities and equipment.
public safety facilities and equipment and
acquisition of judicial and municipal facilities.
See notes.
4 City of Pooler projects including roads, streets City of Pooler $ 16,900,000 4.5676
and bridges;recreational facilities;public -
safety facilities and equipment. See notes.
5 City of Port Wentworth projects including City of Port $ 6,200,000 1.6757
roads, streets and bridges;recreational Wentworth
facilities and parks; sewers;and downtown
redevelopment. See notes.
6 Town of Thunderbolt projects including roads, Town of $ 3,750,000 1.0135
streets and bridges;storm water and drainage; Thunderbolt
water and sewer;public works and public
safety vehicles and equipment; fire protection;
and administrative facilities. See notes.
7 City of Tybee Island projects including roads, City of Tybee $ 4,200,000 1.1351
streets and bridges; storm water and drainage; Island
recreational facilities;public safety and fire
protection facilities and equipment;and water
and sewer. See notes.
8 Town of Vernonburg projects including roads, Town of $ 150,000 0.0405
streets and bridges;public safety facilities and Vernonburg
equipment;and gas lines. See notes.
Exhibit A-3
9 Unincorporated County projects including Chatham $ 137,515,000 37.1662
roads,streets and bridges;storm water and County
drainage;cultural,recreational,judicial,and
industrial facilities; libraries;public safety and
fire protection facilities and equipment;
greenspace; public transit equipment and
facilities; and retirement of debt. See notes.
Total: $370,000,000 100.0000
Notes: *Pro rata share governs distribution up to$370,000,000;see Exhibit A,Paragraph 2.
(1)Projects may be from the County or Municipality Adopted Capital Improvement Program.
(2)County will collect SEDA's proceeds and distribute the same per an intergovernmental
contract(s).
(3)County will provide up to$6 million to Tybee Island for beach improvements.
Exhibit A-3