BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS OWNER
TOP PHOTO: Elmore County School Supt. Richard Dennis addressing the Commission.
The Elmore County Commission voted unanimously this week on a request to the legislature to set a special election in January 2023 for voters to decide on a proposed ad valorem increase for public education, public safety, public health and broadband.
Elmore County residents could have the opportunity to vote on this issue next year, which would increase the base ad valorem millage in Elmore County from 25 mils to 34 mils. The estimated additional revenue generated from each additional mil collected would be around $1 Million per year. Residential property tax would increase $100 per $100,000 of appraised home value. According to county officials, $80 of said increase would be utilized for education, and the remaining $20 divided between public safety, public health and broadband.
A public hearing was held prior to the vote during which several speakers spoke in favor or against allowing the proposal to be presented to the legislature. There was some confusion following the meeting, as some media outlets reported that the Commission voted to pass the ad valorem tax outright. In truth, this was only to allow Elmore County residents the opportunity to vote in a future special election in favor or against.
The take-away from the public hearing was simple. Whether in favor of a public vote or not, most agreed that much more information needs to be shared on specifics of a plan for the additional revenue before the proposed election.
A large crowd took advantage of the opportunity to express their opinion on the proposal that, if passed as proposed, would increase the overall millage rate in Elmore County.
“I want to make sure that we are all aware of the specific item of discussion for the public hearing this evening,” County Commission Chairman Troy Stubbs explained. “The public hearing is to discuss the opportunity for the public to vote. This is in conjunction with the proposal of an ad valorem tax increase that would be voted on by the people.”
Stubbs continued, “The topic of the discussion is not specifically items of what may or may not be part of the Board of Education’s plan. That has been presented and is open for discussion over the next number of months if this advances forward. Our role as a county commission is to take the specific resolution that was presented to us by the Elmore County Board of Education. They bring that resolution to the county commission. We then move the resolution forward to the state legislature. Our delegation is who represents us in the legislature. If it were to proceed there, then and only then would it be placed on a ballot to be voted on by the people of Elmore County.”
First up were those in opposition to pass the legislation to the legislature to allow a public vote.
Richard Edgar, Deatsville – “I stand before you as President of the Elmore County Farmers Federation representing farmers and forest landowners. I am also the owner of the Holtville Gin Co-op. For all those people I just mentioned, we don’t have an opportunity pass along an increase in taxes or any other increase in our cost to anyone else. We just have to absorb it.”
Edgar said if passed, it would double the taxes on his land by about $300 a year. The increase for the Holtville Gin Coop would cost $3,440 a year. We are a farmer-owned business. That money is going to come out of the farmer members – many of whom don’t live in Elmore County and would not benefit from anything that might be a benefit of that tax proposal.”
Edgar said he has spoken before against increasing property taxes. He said that growth to the county is already bringing in more tax revenue.
Becky Gerritson of Wetumpka spoke on behalf of Rep. Mike Holmes who could not attend. She read a statement from Holmes, in which he stated he had attended the Feb. 14, 2022 meeting where the county school board presented its proposal for a tax increase that would be earmarked mostly for the Elmore County School system.
Holmes wrote that he had spoken with officials to learn more about what would be included in proposed plans for the schools.
“The presentation is mostly architect rendered sketches of various proposed Elmore County buildings and facilities. Very little was contained about the actual history of funding of these types of projects. Nor any attempt to show fact-based projections of future revenue required both with the proposed tax increase and without any increase. As such I cannot see any way the County Commissioners can make an informed decision on behalf of the taxpaying citizens in our county without much more information for a basis in fact.” He requested the Commission postpone this decision to provide time for answering serious questions that anyone may have.
Speaking as a citizen of Elmore County, Gerritson said, “We in this room voted you to be our county commissioners. It is your job to take proposals from the school board or other agencies and comb through them and look through them. We do not have time to do that. That is not our job. We are relying on you. And I agree with Mike that there was not enough substantial information of where this money is going. Especially in a crisis of finances that we are in. And it is only going to get worse.”
Eric Gerritson, of Wetumpka, said “I, too, have had the opportunity to comb through the 58-page power point followed up by a phone call with the superintendent and later a two-hour sit down with Jason Mann to discuss the presentation. Elmore County schools has not presented a cogent plan that would warrant Elmore County residents to approve a significant millage increase. As a point of record, there is not a bank in this state that would approve a loan to a business of this magnitude without a business plan.”
He said that with the current rate of inflation, is this the time to squeeze more money from families without a convincing plan? He also asked for a postponement on any decisions.
Bob Plaster of Millbrook said that the proposal would be unfair to landowners, who have made an investment in their land. Others make investment in other areas. “When a county taxes land and not those (other) investments, it is not fair to me. I think they need to leave our land alone.”
Chadwick Smith of Deatsville told the commission members that he and his wife live in Elmore County and have five children, four of which in the public school system. He has spoken with members of the community and school officials. “Teachers and students have not experienced the kind of education that would sustain and promote a thriving community. Both are impacted by overcrowding, poor curriculum and shortages. Teachers are overwhelmed, morale is suffering and the time requirements are not commiserate with the pay. Our education system is numbing our teachers and students to status quo leading our community into imminent paralysis. How can we reverse this paralysis and create a thriving community is what I ask myself.”
Pay and curriculum must be addressed, he said. Overcrowding is an issue, as well as supplies that are being paid for by the teachers. “The millage increase alone will not fix our education problems.”
Norman Dean of Tallassee told commissioners he is on a fixed income. He said with everything going up due to inflation, people don’t need an additional financial burden. He said his children are homeschooled and he asked that the proposal not be sent to the legislature.
Jackie Austin of Wetumpka said she is a land owner and her family has been a part of Elmore County going back to the 1830s. “We have a failing school system with a 51 percent positivity rate. Forty-nine percent are failing. Everything I have seen in your plans (there is) no amount of money specified on anything. That is not the way you do business. I don’t mind paying taxes, but I am not going to do it with no specificity.” From there she discussed bullying in the schools and other issues with the school board and system. Editor’s Note: A check with Elmore County Supt. Richard Dennis shows that the figures are inaccurate, he said. “I believe our graduation rate is closer to 91 percent,” he said.
After Austin left the podium, Commissioner Stubbs then clarified, “I just want to make sure everyone knows we are at a county commission meeting, not a board of education meeting.”
Mike Whorton of Balm Road – Horton said that he hasn’t talked with anyone in favor of the proposal. He said that property taxes are the most unfair of all taxes for people who invest in land. Appraisals are going through the roof so that, alone, will bring in additional revenue. “You can truly never own your property if there is a tax. Fail to pay your taxes and the true owner will be revealed.”
Nila Godwin of Tallassee said she owns a Century Farm and her family has roots in Elmore County dating back to the early 1800s. “This is a tax that would rob Peter to pay Paul.” She said that for church school students or those that are homeschooled, this is not a fair tax. Only government school students would benefit. She said that the public should not be taxed for a school system with poor performance. “Chang directions and then come back and talk to taxpayers about more money.”
A group of speakers in favor of allowing a public vote on the proposal then spoke.
Justin Pack of Eclectic said “I am fully supportive of putting this on the ballot. Any issues of taxation should be up for public vote and doing otherwise is a disservice.” He said he supports the issue, but is still unclear on where the funds will go, and feels more information needs to be dispersed concerning the actual plan.
Superintendent of Elmore County Schools Richard Dennis has spoken on this issue before. He said that as far as a plan on how the money will be used where schools are concerned, it will be fluid. That will depend on the individual needs of area schools in different communities. He said there has been continual growth in the Elmore County schools system. In anticipation of what officials are seeing, it would be the board’s goal to give Elmore county residents the decision on what they would like to have in each community. There would be input from them. “We think residents should have opportunity on what they will have and what is available for years to come.”
Tallassee Schools Supt. Joshua “Brock” Nolin said that while other parts of the county are seeing tremendous growth, that is not necessarily the case in Tallassee. Having additional funds available would be a great help and he supports putting it before the voters. He said that he supports the proposal, even though he is a landowner and homeowner in Elmore County and his taxes would increase. In his professional position, he said this money would his system to finish the high school project. “Let the voters have their say.”
Frank Barnett serves on the Elmore County Health Care and E911 Boards. serves two boards. He personally knows the challenges faced on the healthcare side of this issue, and said it is “daunting.” Maintaining a 70-year-old hospital, operating expenses, an emergency room and light surgery is more than just a challenge.
Beyond that, there are serious issues with the parking lot with multiple holes. Dirt and rocks are being thrown up by helicopters. Additionally, he said that E911 has a very serious challenge maintaining workers, both in staffing and funding. But any additional revenue generated by the proposed tax increase would be a huge benefit. He said that volunteer fire departments across the county are struggling. “I hope that when I need them they will be adequately staffed and equipped. I can tell you right now some of them are not.” He said that too often, doctors and nurses are going to other locations where they can make more money.”
As a concerned citizen, he said something has to be done to help with the schools, health care and first responders.
Leisa Finley is an Elmore County School Board member, and previously worked with economic development. She said that currently teachers and staff are “having to scratch for supplies.” She encouraged moving the issue on to a public vote to let area residents decide. She said that the public hearing was not set to decide how good or bad the schools system, or its employees are. But it should be acknowledged that students are the future and life of Elmore County.
She said that everyone wants new buildings, and the best of all things, but it takes a real investment. She said that one should not expect the best, when Elmore County has the lowest tax rate in the nation. She said it is “really said” if the public does not want to invest more in its students’ education. “We are just asking to take it to the next level to give residents the opportunity to vote. We will do the research and show you the numbers. We have 11 months to work on this. Put students first in this county. They are our future.”
Jamie McGowin, of Wetumpka, has worked within Elmore County Schools for the past 30 years. “I know how hard my colleagues and I have worked to do the very best we can in that time.” He said he sees every day what students and teachers go through. His wife is also an educator, and he knows the struggles personally. “What I do know is that I have seen over 30 years with administrations and board after board, squeeze a penny and get very bit they can get out of it over and over again. So, I have no doubt that, given opportunity, they will continue to be good stewards of that money. All I ask is to give the people the opportunity to vote.”
Tommy Sanford is with the Santuck Fire Department and has been a volunteer for the past 50 years. When first started we were the 7th department in Elmore County. Now have 20 fire departments responding to emergencies.” He said there are over 450 firefighters in the county, and the vast majority are volunteers. As volunteers, they must stop whatever they are doing, and immediately respond at moment’s notice to get to the trucks and handle whatever emergency is relayed. “Two of last three Sundays I left church to answer calls,” Sanford said.
Many of the volunteers have regular jobs, aside from their service to fire departments. It requires time, effort, and fundraising. The volunteers do it all, including mowing the grass, and they still have to go to their full-time job the next day. As a volunteer each firefighter must have turnout gear.
He said the cost, per firefighter, for that gear is $3,700. The self-contained breathing equipment runs about $8,500 a piece. Extrication equipment can be $25,000 or more. A new “Plain Jane” fire truck is $350,000 or more. “That is with no equipment on it. Not even a hose.” With current diesel prices, he said the trucks can use up to $200 worth of fuel for one call.
Factor in the age of many of the volunteer department’s vehicles, and there is a high maintenance cost as well. “Our newest fire truck is 15-years-old. Our newest tanker is 25 years old. One of our trucks is 35-years-old. One Brush Truck is 38-years-old. He explained that all volunteer departments in the county receive funding from a Fee Bill, which for some is $50 per household. “This has kept the doors open on a lot of volunteer fire departments but not all receive the same amount of money.”
Jason Mann, of Wetumpka, said he grew up in Elmore County schools, and there are 50 years of educator experience in his family. “As a parent of a first grader I want the best for my child and all children. We need to give our best.” He urged the Commission to pass the vote to the people.
Mark McGhee is the principal of Eclectic Middle School. He said that he wants this pushed to the legislature, and that he knows it will take educating the public on the very real needs from now until it comes to a vote. He said that for him, the “brass tacks” are the people that serve students every day in the county.
“The Elmore County Commission is grateful to all those who participated in our public hearing and those who reached out to share their feelings prior to the meeting. We look forward to seeing this issue through the Alabama State Legislature, and, with the support of our local delegation, eventually tor the people to have their voices heard at the ballot box,” Chairman Stubbs said.
