By Gerri Miller
Staff Writer
It was standing room only as Autauga County School Superintendent Timothy Tidmore presented a plan to the Autauga County Commission Tuesday night for a proposed 15-mill ad valorem tax hike. The increase, part of a six-year, four-phase plan, would fund new schools, repair existing ones, increase STEM activities and much more.
After hearing concerns from dozens of landowners, farmers, business owners, homeowners and others, the Commission tabled the Board of Education’s request that it apply to the Legislature for permission to hold a local election on the tax increase.
No meeting date was set for the vote and Commissioners said they want time to fully investigate all options. Commissioner John Thrailkill brought up the idea of forming a committee to do just that.
“In light of all we’ve heard tonight, it was wise to table it, form a committee and find a hybrid plan that still benefits the children,” he said.
The proposed 15 mill property tax increase would require legislative approval and a public vote. The increase would raise the millage total for education funding in the county to 22 mills, adding $150 to $170 a year on property tax payments for a house valued at $100,000.
The current 10 mill levy is $100 per $1000,000 of the assessed value of the property which generates $7.9 million in revenue for the schools. It includes 3 mills funded by the Legislature which will no longer be funded under the new plan. The proposed 22-mill levy would be $220 per $100,000 of assessed value, which would bring in $17 million in revenue each year for the schools.
Comments during the public hearing and commission meeting ranged from those individuals fully supporting the increase to farmers who said they can’t afford the hike. Some were worried about the impact the increase would have on working people and those on fixed incomes.
Many people said with price increases and the state of the economy, now is not the time to introduce a large tax increase.
“This is a nightmare tax increase,” said Carol Johns. “With inflation, heating costs scheduled to spike this winter and 17 percent of Autauga County residents living in poverty, it could be the difference between some of our children eating dinner or going hungry.”
Derek Chandler asked if all funding sources were looked at as ways of funding the plan. “People are tired of being taxed to death,” he said. “A lot of these people are farmers and they won’t be able to afford to make a living. This tax needs to be fair across the board.”
Autaugaville farmer Irene Langford said the tax would be huge for those who farm for a living.
“I’m all for supporting education, but you are hurting people who have land,” she said. “We don’t set the prices of our commodities. We don’t know if we will make enough this year to have a crop next year. A property tax is the worst thing to put on people. It needs to be spread out where it hits everybody the same.”
Chip Cleveland called the tax increase a “hot topic” and criticized the lack of communication from the BOE to the public. “This is such a critical issue,” he said. “We need time to get educated on it and we need information before 3:30 the day of the meeting. If we lose this opportunity to reach some common ground, it will be another 30 years before we look at it again.”
Many people also voiced their support for the measure and said the entire community will benefit from the plan.
“We’re in a tough spot, but we have to do something,” said Russ Thompson. “Other counties are taking our jobs. We are going to be hurt in the future by our inaction. It is a cycle that has to be stopped at some point.”
Prattville minister Dave Burns said now is the time to move ahead with the plan. “We are in catch-up mode now,” he said. “How far behind are we going to get? We as a community must come together. It’s not city and county, fixed income or working person. It’s everybody. We are in this together and we have to support our children.”
Will Barrett said the Autauga school system is richly blessed with educators, coaches, and staff. “Students have continued to exceed expectations while learning in outdated, crumbling schools,” he said. “Just imagine what we could do if we fully resource our school system.”
Barrett said absolute minimum funding for the schools is unacceptable and urged the commission to let the people vote on the matter.
Ken Hollon said that while everybody wants services, nobody wants to pay the taxes necessary to receive them. “We’ve got great educators in Autauga County, but they need additional resources,” Hollon said. “We have children going to schools that have been standing since the 1920s. If the ad valorem tax is the best way to go, I will support whatever we need to help our school system.”
Commission Chairman Jay Thompson suggested that it would be helpful to have community forums about the tax matter at different high school locations throughout the county.
Kelly Ingram asked the Commission and the BOE to find something that is equitable for Autauga County. “Whatever that is-we need to raise more money for education. We need to get more input into our options.”
Wendy McFarland said she grew up farming and asked the BOE to go back to the drawing board. “The school system definitely needs help, but you are hurting farmers,” she said.
Thompson encouraged Commission members to get out in the community and speak with educators, principals and others to get their input on the project.
