NOTICE OF REFERENDUM
TO THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OF
WHITE COUNTY, GEORGIA
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on the 19th day of May, 2026, a special election will be held at the regular polling places in all the election districts of White County at which time there will be submitted to the qualified voters of White County for their determination the question of whether a special one percent sales and use tax for educational purposes shall be continued in White County for a period not to exceed twenty (20) calendar quarters beginning upon the expiration of the sales and use tax for educational purposes presently in effect, and for the purpose of raising not more than $52,000,000 of net proceeds by said tax, which net proceeds shall go to the White County School District for the purpose of (i) acquiring, constructing, equipping and furnishing new school buildings and facilities, (ii) adding to, constructing, renovating, repairing, demolishing, improving and equipping existing school buildings and school system facilities, including playgrounds, physical education facilities, athletic facilities, student activity facilities, parking areas and other school facilities, (iii) acquiring safety and security equipment and infrastructure for schools, system facilities, and buses, (iv) acquiring land and conducting site preparation for current and future School District purposes, (v) acquiring computers and computer technology equipment and software, including tablets and laptops, (vi) acquiring heating, air conditioning and energy efficiency equipment, (vii) acquiring textbooks and other instructional materials and electronic media, as well as school buses, transportation and maintenance equipment and band equipment, with the estimated cost of the projects described in items (i) through (vii) payable from said tax being $52,000,000 (net of tax proceeds used to pay debt service on general obligation debt), (viii) paying the debt service on the general obligation debt of the School District hereinafter described, the maximum amount of such payments not to exceed $36,960,000 and (ix) paying the expenses incident to accomplishing the foregoing, and whether White County School District shall be authorized to issue general obligation debt in the principal amount of not more than $32,000,000 for the purposes of the White County School District described in items (i)-(vii) and (ix) above and for the purpose of payment of a portion of the interest on such debt?
The ballots to be used at such referendum shall have written or printed thereon substantially the following:
___ Yes
___ No
Shall a special one percent sales and use tax for educational purposes be continued in White County for a period not to exceed twenty (20) calendar quarters beginning upon the expiration of the sales and use tax for educational purposes presently in effect, and for the purpose of raising not more than $52,000,000 of net proceeds by said tax, which net proceeds shall go to the White County School District for the purpose of (i) acquiring, constructing, equipping and furnishing new school buildings and facilities, (ii) adding to, constructing, renovating, repairing, demolishing, improving and equipping existing school buildings and school system facilities, including playgrounds, physical education facilities, athletic facilities, student activity facilities, parking areas and other school facilities, (iii) acquiring safety and security equipment and infrastructure for schools, system facilities, and buses, (iv) acquiring land and conducting site preparation for current and future School District purposes, (v) acquiring computers and computer technology equipment and software, including tablets and laptops, (vi) acquiring heating, air conditioning and energy efficiency equipment, (vii) acquiring textbooks and other instructional materials and electronic media, as well as school buses, transportation and maintenance equipment and band equipment, with the estimated cost of the projects described in items (i) through (vii) payable from said tax being $52,000,000 (net of tax proceeds used to pay debt service on general obligation debt), (viii) paying the debt service on the general obligation debt of the School District hereinafter described, the maximum amount of such payments not to exceed $36,960,000, and (ix) paying the expenses incident to accomplishing the foregoing, and shall White County School District be authorized to issue general obligation debt in the principal amount of not more than $32,000,000 for the purposes of the White County School District described in items (i)-(vii) and (ix) above and for the purpose of payment of a portion of the interest on such debt?
The general obligation debt, if so authorized, may be issued in one or more series, and on one or more dates of issuance as the White County Board of Education may approve; provided, however, that the aggregate principal amount of such general obligation debt shall not exceed $32,000,000. The general obligation debt may be made subject to redemption prior to maturity, to the extent permitted by law, upon terms and conditions to be determined by the Board. The maximum rate of interest such general obligation debt will bear is not to exceed 6.0% per annum, and the aggregate amount of principal to be paid in each year during the life of such debt will be as follows:
YearPrincipal to be Paid
2028$5,800,000
2029 6,075,000
2030 6,385,000
2031 6,700,000
2032 7,040,000
Any brochures, listings, or other advertisements issued by the White County Board of Education, or by any other person, firm, corporation, or association with the knowledge and consent of the Board of Education, shall be deemed to be a statement of intention of the Board of Education concerning the use of the proceeds of the general obligation debt to be issued in connection with the sales and use tax for educational purposes.
The several places for holding said referendum shall be at the regular and established voting precincts of the election districts of White County, Georgia, and the polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on the date fixed for the referendum. All polling places will be open.
The last day to register to vote in this referendum shall be April 20, 2026, through 5:00 p.m. Mail voter registration applications must be postmarked on or before April 20, 2026.
Those residents of White County qualified to vote at such referendum shall be determined in all respects in accordance with the election laws of the State of Georgia.
This notice is given pursuant to a resolution of the White County Board of Education adopted on January 29, 2026.
This 3rd day of February, 2026.
/s/Amie Veater
Supervisor of Elections
5C-4/16-5/14/26
