The Wetumpka City Council is mulling a sales tax increase
Mayor Jerry Willis says the hike would be the first sales tax increase in more than 20 years.
Currently, Wetumpka’s combined rate is 8 percent, the lowest in the River Region. Nearby municipalities all have higher sales tax rates:
- Millbrook: 8.5 percent
- Prattville: 9.5 percent
- Montgomery: 10 percent
According to alabamanews.net, Willis says a one percent sales tax increase will help meet the needs of the city without having to cut services.
“Hey, nobody likes taxes. We don’t like taxes. But when our auditors come to us for the past two years and give the final report and say ‘you can’t keep laying people off, Mayor,’” said Willis.
He continued, “A one cent sales tax increase will generate us one million dollars. Two million dollars would give us the opportunity to take care of our employees, get them where they need to be. They haven’t had a pay increase in over five years.”
The City Council did the first reading of the proposed amendment to the current tax ordinance during Monday night’s council meeting, opening the door for a future vote.
The City Council is scheduled to meet next on Monday, July 2.
