The read

From my Sunday column in the Athens Banner-Herald ...

If you didn't like the inclusion of the tennis center in the list of SPLOST projects, you can remember to be more engaged the next time projects are recommended for inclusion.

If you don't like how tight the restrictions are when it comes to what can and cannot be funded, you need not complain to the Athens-Clarke County Commission, but rather the state government who has ultimate authority over the rules and regulations of tax policy for local officials.

If you would rather that funding be used to shore up shortfalls elsewhere in the local budget, you ought to call your state representative and ask him or her to get to work on legislation that would overhaul the existing rules governing the local budgeting process.

The SPLOST process is basic, but it's also rigid.

State law very clearly and succinctly lays out how projects are approved and how the money can be spent. So, with that foundation laid out, the only result is that Athens-Clarke County is getting a tennis center in some form or fashion in the next few years.

An advisory committee recommended it, the voters approved it, and state law requires them to allocate the money to build it.

It ain't ideal, but it's also a ship that already has sailed.