Public hearing set for 6 mil property tax increase
On April 25, Madison residents will have their first public opportunity to either speak for or against the proposed 6 mil property tax increase that is planned to replace the half-cent sales tax imposed in 2009.
The Madison City Council set the date after hearing from Madison City Schools Superintendent Dr. Dee Fowler during Monday night’s meeting.
Fowler answered questions from the council members before Monday’s vote, including a question from member Jerry Jennings concerning the effect a tax increase would have on system students living in Triana.
Fowler said an agreement was signed when the system was formed in 1998 stating that if Madison raised property taxes for the purpose of education, Triana has one year to match the increase or students living in Triana are at risk of being rezoned for another district.
Fowler said he has discussed the issue with Triana Mayor Mary Caudle, who said she would present the information to the city council.
The Madison system originally proposed an 8 mil increase to the council, which imposed the half-cent sales tax to cover the increase, but came back with the 6 mil figure after the qualified school construction bond for the new high school resulted in the system paying back just $29 million of a $36 million loan.
Fowler said sales taxes result in $555 per student in the city system, compared to $1,569 per student in Cullman, $935 per student in Decatur and $591 per student in Mountain Brook.
But with proration, Fowler said the system is still going to have to absorb approximately $1 million per year after paying support and teacher salaries.
However, council member Tim Holcombe said residents have been and should be prepared for a vote on the increase if the matter proceeds through the proper legislative channels.
“A property tax vote by the people was the plan all along,” Holcombe said. “That’s what we said we would do all along, and we’re doing exactly what we said we we’re doing.”
Resident Tom Scovill spoke out in opposition of raising the property tax, citing the current case of Lynch v. Alabama, which argues the state property tax system violates the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by protecting farm and timber land, thus not guaranteeing enough funding for local public schools.
Scovill said a decision should be postponed until a decision is reached in Lynch v. Alabama.
That may not be possible, as the April 25 hearing will be held during the regularly scheduled meeting.
