Autauga BOE Proposes Large Property Tax Increase To Fund Capital Improvement Projects

By Gerri Miller

Elmore Autauga News

The Autauga County Board of Education will present a plan and answer questions from the community concerning a proposed 15-mill property tax increase at the Autauga County Commission meeting on Nov. 16.

The large increase in ad valorem taxes would go to fund capital improvement projects, primarily building and replacing aging buildings, said Autauga County School Superintendent Timothy Tidmore.

“Every school will have facility upgrades,” Tidmore told the EAN. ““We have several aging schools and other facilities that need to be replaced. For example, Prattville Primary School is one of the oldest schools in the state.”

If passed by the voters, the increase will raise Autauga County’s education funding to 22 mills. The system is currently at 10 mills, with 7 mills funding locally and 3 mills funded by the state.

Alabama requires school districts to contribute revenue to the funding of public schools. The amount each district is expected to raise for education costs is based on property values: each district is expected to contribute $10 for every $1,000 of assessed local property wealth for the purpose of funding its schools.

The Alabama Legislature must set an election for the voters to pass or vote down the increase. The BOE began the process in a called meeting Thursday where they voted to ask the County Commission to carry the project forward.

Tidmore said the proposal probably won’t go to the voters until after February 2022. If passed, the school system would start receiving funds sometime after October 2023. “I would like to see all of the projects done within five to six years,” Tidmore said.

The increase would provide $17 million yearly for capital funding while the system currently received around $8 million.

One of the projects would be construction of a new Prattville High School. “We are finishing a very detailed presentation right now,” he said. “Right now, we are looking at the need for $82-$92 million just for the academic facilities for a 7A high school.”

The school system is finalizing plans for the addition of a new wing and four labs for the Autauga County Technology Center (not part of the proposed tax). “We haven’t broken ground, but we will be putting this out for bid as soon as it is finalized,” he said.

Marbury High School is also getting a $3.7 million, nine-classroom addition to its agricultural technology center (not part of the proposed tax).

Tidmore said he thinks the time is right for the ad valorem tax to pass with voters. “It’s the best opportunity we’ve had in a long time,” he said. “We want to public to see the good things we have going on in our schools. A better education system means a better way of life, a better economy, and a better county as a whole.”

He said everybody in government and business is on the same page regarding the need for the tax increase. He said he believes that with everyone working together to educate the public on why the extra funding is needed, the measure can be passed.

“This is a bold action but I think it is something that is very attainable,” Tidmore said. “We are providing for our most precious commodity-our kids and our future.