Ballot form for imposition of tax for transit projects; conduct of election; impact of approval or rejection of question.

(b) The election superintendent shall issue the call and conduct the election in the manner authorized by general law. Each such election shall be governed, held, and conducted in accordance with the provisions of law from time to time governing the holding of special elections as provided in Code Section 21-2-540. The superintendent shall canvass the returns, declare the result of the election, and certify the result to the Secretary of State and to the commissioner. The expense of the election shall be paid from county funds. All persons desiring to vote in favor of imposing the tax shall vote “Yes,” and all persons opposed to imposing the tax shall vote “No.” If more than one-half of the votes cast throughout the entire special district are in favor of imposing the tax, then the tax shall be imposed as provided in this article.

(c) Where such question is not approved by the voters, the county may resubmit such question from time to time upon compliance with the requirements of this article.

(d) (1) If the proposal includes the authority to issue general obligation debt and if more than one-half of the votes cast throughout the entire special district are in favor of the proposal, then the authority to issue such debt in accordance with Article IX, Section V, Paragraph I of the Constitution is given to the proper officers of the county; otherwise, such debt shall not be issued. If the authority to issue such debt is so approved by the voters, then such debt may be issued without further approval by the voters.

(2) If the issuance of general obligation debt is included and approved as provided in this Code section, then the governing authority of the county may incur such debt either through the issuance and validation of general obligation bonds or through the execution of a promissory note or notes or other instrument or instruments. If such debt is incurred through the issuance of general obligation bonds, such bonds and their issuance and validation shall be subject to Articles 1 and 2 of Chapter 82 of Title 36 except as specifically provided otherwise in this article. If such debt is incurred through the execution of a promissory note or notes or other instrument or instruments, no validation proceedings shall be necessary, and such debt shall be subject to Code Sections 36-80-10 through 36-80-14 except as specifically provided otherwise in this article. In either event, such general obligation debt shall be payable first from the separate account in which are placed the proceeds received by the county from the tax. Such general obligation debt shall, however, constitute a pledge of the full faith, credit, and taxing power of the county; and any liability on such debt which is not satisfied from the proceeds of the tax shall be satisfied from the general funds of the county. History. Code 1981, § 48-8-269.46, enacted by Ga. L. 2018, p. 377, § 1-3/HB 930.