Mayor Ranae Bartlett discusses sales tax, academy and activities

MADISON – In “Madison Weekly” for the week of Jan. 25, Mayor Ranae Bartlett endorsed Madison City Council’s vote to approve continuation of a half-cent sales tax, which supports Madison City Schools.

“…,It was important for us to pause, take a hard look at our region’s growth, and ask the right questions about what our schools need moving forward. The answer was clear: continuing this funding helps ensure our schools have the resources they need to serve our students well as Madison continues to grow,” Bartlett said.

Madison Civic Awareness Academy will open for its spring session with orientation on March 11. The city is now accepting applications for participants.

The academy offers an interactive program that “gives residents a behindthe- scenes look at how city government works. Participants hear directly from city leaders and department heads, explore how decisions take shape, and gain a deeper understanding of the services that keep Madison moving every day,” Bartlett said.

To apply, visit madisonal. gov/1245/Civic-Awareness- Academy, and click “Apply Online” in the list to the left. An application form is displayed.

For a guided tour of the facility, Bartlett and council members visited Blue Origin, a manufacturer of rocket engines with offices in Cummings Research Park. The company is expected to add a substantial number of jobs.

“The visit provided a firsthand look at Blue Origin’s operations, innovation and continued investment in our community,” Bartlett said. “These opportunities for our administration strengthens partnerships that support economic growth and job creation in Madison.” The Golden Apple Gala, a recurring event by The Schools Foundation, offers a chance to concentrate . . . and respect the caliber of teachers across Madison County – for Huntsville City Schools, Madison City Schools and Madison County School System.

“This evening of appreciation brought together educators, elected officials and industry partners to recognize the vital role quality schools play in our region’s success,” Bartlett said.

The new Public Safety Annex at 230 Business Park Blvd. will have a ribbon cutting on Feb. 5 at 10 a.m. The facility houses part of Madison Police Department and serves as operational home of Fire Station 4, Bartlett said.