Johns Creek stands to receive an estimated $86.4 million for roads, sidewalks and bridges after voters approved Fulton County’s transportation sales tax renewal on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

The 0.75% Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST), collected outside Atlanta, passed with 129,283 votes in favor and 125,417 against, or 50.8% to 49.2%, Alpharetta Now reported. All 257 precincts had reported as of Nov. 4. The results remain unofficial pending certification.

The separate 1% education sales tax renewal, ESPLOST, passed with 298,924 votes in favor and 138,060 against, or 68.4% support, according to the same report. The ballot question projected up to $2.1 billion for Fulton County Schools and Atlanta Public Schools projects over five years.

What the transportation tax means for Johns Creek

If certified, the TSPLOST would take effect April 1, 2027, and run through March 31, 2032, according to the Fulton County call for election. The county estimated the tax would generate roughly $650 million across 14 participating cities in North and South Fulton.

Johns Creek's share of $86,425,926 is based on 100% of forecast revenue and 2024 Census population estimates, according to a Fulton County government announcement from August. The county cautioned that revenue estimates are not guaranteed.

The intergovernmental agreement's project list breaks Johns Creek's spending into three tiers based on how much revenue actually comes in. At 85% of forecast, the city's Tier 1 projects total $73.5 million. At full collection, Tier 2 adds another $13 million. If revenue exceeds projections at 115%, a third tier adds $13 million more, bringing the total project list to $99.4 million.

The largest category in Tier 1 is pedestrian, bicycle, streetscape and landscape projects at $35.5 million. Maintenance and safety improvements account for $19.1 million. Operations and safety projects total $10.9 million, and bridge work adds $4.3 million. All projects are listed as citywide.

Each city identified and approved its own projects and will manage them locally, according to the county.

Education tax renewal

The ESPLOST funds Fulton County Schools' Capital Plan 2032, which covers upgrades to facilities, technology, safety, transportation and operational systems, according to the district's capital plan page. The district describes the one-penny sales tax as a pay-as-you-go model that avoids interest costs.

The district said ESPLOST spreads costs across everyone making taxable purchases in Fulton County, reducing the impact on property owners. Without it, alternatives include a general obligation bond or increasing the maintenance and operations millage rate.

Fulton County Chairman Robb Pitts said in the county's August TSPLOST announcement that "transportation remains one of the top concerns identified by Fulton County residents."

All results remain unofficial until certified by the county. All precincts had reported as of the Nov. 4 update.