Madison, News, RSS Facebook, RSS General, Schools
 By  GreggParker Published 
5:32 pm Thursday, June 21, 2012

Madison won’t vote on property tax hike for schools this year

Madison residents will not be voting this year on a proposed 6-mill property tax increase for funding to Madison City Schools.

Superintendent Dr. Dee Fowler

The property tax increase would have replaced a half-cent sales tax that has funded construction of James Clemens High School, along with allocating operating funds for the Madison school district.

“The Madison Board of Education has informed City Council that (the tax proposal) should not be on ballot because it can’t withstand the scrutiny of legal challenges,” Superintendent Dr. Dee Fowler said.

The state legislature had passed the bill to allow the city to vote. However, Madison County legislators significantly changed the original bill, and the amended bill was not advertised to the public for the mandated four weeks, thus opening it to threat of litigation.

“According to the Alabama constitution, a local bill (like the property tax proposal) has to be passed as advertised,” Fowler said. City Attorney Woody Sanderson and bond counsel attorney David Spurlock have determined the amended bill is unconstitutional.

Originally, Sanderson and Spurlock had written the bill to required specifications, Fowler said. Madison City Council submitted a resolution to Madison County legislators to introduce the bill in Montgomery.

“One or more legislators decided to give Triana an exception to allow two years (instead of one year) to pass a property tax,” Fowler said. “Local legislators did (the changes) with no malice. They were trying to be benevolent to Triana.”

City Council initially approved the half-cent sales tax for 17 years. “City Council and Mayor Paul Finley have placed a lid on the tax, which would disappear when the qualified school construction bonds are paid off,” Fowler said.

“This is not a crisis,” Fowler said. “But any time there are funds you had anticipated in receiving and don’t, you’re back at the drawing board and trimming budgets.”

How does Fowler feel about this situation? “Tired,” he said. “We’ve worked very hard and collaboratively with the mayor and City Council. They’re just as tired as we are. When you work hard and miss the mark, there is that feeling of remorse. When you put your all into something, you should have that feeling.”

The local bill can be introduced again at the next legislative session in February 2013.

In 1998, Madison residents approved an 11-mill property tax increase to establish a city school system, separate from Madison County Schools.

In other board action, Nelson Brown was named as the new principal at Liberty Middle School. Brown, who has been principal at Columbia Elementary School, will replace Dr. Brian Clayton, the new principal at James Clemens.

Also on The Madison Record
‘Light Up the Night’ with Huntsville Parks & Recreation at Big Spring Park
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
July 24, 2025
Dr. John Blevins receives Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal, premier award for career federal employees
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
July 24, 2025
Central role Redstone Arsenal plays in national security highlighted in judiciary committee hearing
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
July 23, 2025
Downtown Madison celebrates kickoff to Main Street Madison
A: Main, Business, Madison County Record, ...
Snapshot
Staff Reports 
July 23, 2025
MADISON - Madison leaders joined downtown business owners and officials with the Madison Street Alabama program on Thursday to officially kick off the...
Civic groups to conduct candidate forums on Aug. 12 and 19
A: Main, Events, Madison County Record, ...
Two upcoming forums seek questions from residents for the candidates to answer
Gregg Parker 
July 23, 2025
MADISON – The 2025 Municipal Election for the City of Madison on Aug. 26 will decide a new mayor and representatives for City Council in three contest...
Four winners certified in city council elections
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
MARIA RAKOCZY news@themadisonrecord.com 
July 23, 2025
MADISON - Winners of four district elections in the city of Madison were certified at last week’s city council meeting. Four candidates ran unconteste...
“Take Back Alabama Town Hall” set for July 28 at Movement Church in Madison
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
in the
Staff Reports 
July 23, 2025
MADISON - Community leaders from across North Alabama will gather on Monday, July 28 for the “Take Back Alabama Town Hall” hosted by Moms for Liberty ...
Amanda Browning wins second place in Fleet Reserve Association’s essay contest
Madison County Record, News, Sports, ...
Bob Labbe 
July 23, 2025
MADISON - Patriotism is the base of being an American and supporting the United States of America, especially for the veterans of the military who too...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *