Keen interest in the race for president is expected to drive record turnout for November’s general election, but picking a president isn’t the only critical issue before voters. The November 4 ballot will also decide an issue that may shape Georgia communities for decades.

State constitutional Amendment No. 3 would change Georgia’s constitution to give school districts the right to participate in tax allocation districts, or TADs. TADs enable communities to pay for today’s public improvements using tomorrow’s increase in property tax revenues. Typically, TADs issue bonds to pay for public improvements needed to facilitate redevelopment. After redevelopment raises property tax base values, the bonds are repaid with the resulting increase in revenues.

More than 50 Georgia cities have approved TADs. They have come to be viewed by many as valuable economic development tools and have been essential to smart growth projects like Atlanta’s Atlantic Station. The Georgia Supreme Court ruled earlier this year, however, that the state constitution prohibits school districts from spending tax revenues for redevelopment. Amendment No. 3 permits but does not require school districts to participate. The decision to participate remains in local school district hands.

Amendment No. 3 will be the last of three ballot initiatives on the November 4 ballot. Look for it at or near the bottom of the ballot and worded as follows:

Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to authorize community redevelopment and authorize counties, municipalities and local school boards of education to use tax funds for redevelopment purposes and programs?