A public meeting on the proposed 1 percent sales tax for transportation got testy Tuesday night, with residents ripping the referendum and grilling the government official giving a presentation on the issue.Criticism ranged from the citizens review panel that would be set up to items that would be exempted from the new tax if voters approve the July 31 referendum.As he had done at two previous meetings on the matter, Srikanth Yamala, Gainesville-Hall Metropolitan Planning Organization’s transportation planning manager, gave an overview of the tax proposal, including a look at the nearly $300 million in Hall County projects it would pay for if passed.During his computerized presentation, he talked about the MPO’s 2040 transportation plan, which shows a shortage of funding for projects in the long term based on population and job growth.As Yamala spoke, he referred to a slide that depicted the referendum’s wording and summarized several aspects of his presentation.“Within our region, we are looked at as a destination for education, employment, tourism and health care,” Yamala said, who also noted that gas tax revenues, the current source for Georgia’s roads funding, are declining.Stephanie Usrey, a North Hall resident, said, “You say you’re here just to present the facts, but wow, it sure looks like it’s presented in a skewed fashion.”At first, Yamala shrugged off the comment, but then, a few moments later, he said, “The only negative factor to all of this is it’s raising the tax,” which would jump to 8 percent from 7 in Hall County.“Wow, that’s huge, though,” Usrey said.“I’m the first one to admit it,” Yamala said.“It’s a big deal. It’s a really big deal,” Usrey said.She went on to ask if this was the largest tax increase in Georgia’s history, and Yamala said it was.“Is it a fact that this (sales tax) ... violates the home rule clause of the Georgia Constitution?” Usrey said.