Tuscaloosa County voters reject property tax increase for schools
Tuscaloosa County voters went to the polls on Tuesday and soundly rejected a proposed 8 mill property tax increase to benefit the Tuscaloosa County Public School System. As of press time, 79 percent of voters had voted ‘No’ on the tax increase. Less than 21 percent of voters voted in favor of the 80 percent tax increase. Tax proponents divided the two votes into two propositions: 3 mills and 5 mills, to make it more likely that at least one of the tax increases would pass. It did not make any difference. Both had similar levels of opposition. Tuscaloosa County Schools Superintendent Kerri Johnson asked the County Commission to grant the tax referendum. Johnson told the Tuscaloosa News that there was no backup plan. “I think some of the problem tonight, we had people out there who do not understand the situation,” said Johnson. “They think we have money we don’t have.” The Tuscaloosa County school system had promised a number of capital improvements, lower class sizes, more electives, mental health services, dual enrollment options, more school resource officers, and school security upgrades. A broad coalition of farmers, civil rights activists, small government conservatives, Northport leaders, and just common folk who believe they are taxed enough already came together for a common cause to defeat the tax referendum. The Tuscaloosa Chapter of the NAACP had urged its members to vote “No.” The Tuscaloosa County Farmers Federation funded a massive sign campaign. Former Northport Mayor Bobby Herndon, whose efforts to form a Northport city school system failed last year, urged voters to reject the tax increase because a yes vote would not have served the interests of Northport families. Proponents of the tax increase were outspent, out-organized, and ultimately outvoted by the opponents. The millage rate for Tuscaloosa County residents will remain at 10 mills – the minimum allowed by the State of Alabama. None of this vote applies to Tuscaloosa city, which has its own city school system and a millage rate of 21. The regular session of the Alabama Legislature begins in less than a month, and the failure of the Tuscaloosa tax referendum sends a message to legislators and school systems contemplating raising taxes. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Several groups oppose tax increase in Tuscaloosa County
Voters today are going to the polls in Tuscaloosa County to decide whether or not to pass a ten-mill property tax increase to benefit the Tuscaloosa County School System. It is usually only small-government conservatives who oppose tax increases to benefit schools, but this referendum has been very different. A broad coalition of opponents from across the political spectrum are urging Tuscaloosa County voters to vote “no” on this tax increase. The single-issue ballot measure, on Valentine’s Day, includes one five-mill tax increase and a three-mill tax increase. Some tax increase opponents have suggested that the decision to schedule this referendum on Valentine’s Day was intentional as an attempt to decrease voter turnout. The Tuscaloosa Farmers Federation opposes the tax increase and has funded “Vote No” signs that have appeared across the county. Farmers and timberland owners have a large portion of their net wealth tied up in land, so massive tax increases disproportionately impacts them. Farmers, like homeowners, have to pay property taxes whether they make any money that year or not. Former Northport Mayor Bobby Herndon is asking voters to vote No on the tax increase; because he feels that Northport would be better served by forming its own city school system and that this tax increase will not do enough to benefit Northport families. “I’m very passionate about Northport city schools,” Herndon said. “But as a Dad, a Granddad, a citizen of the great city of Northport, Northport’s never going to be the city it can be until it has its own school system.” The Tuscaloosa NAACP is also calling for voters to vote No on the tax increase proposal over concerns above allegations of racism and censorship of Black history during Black History Month. Lisa Young is the President of the Tuscaloosa Chapter of the NAACP. Young said that the NAACP believes the allegations that the students have made and are asking Tuscaloosa County voters to vote no. “One of the requests of the students is that citizens in the county not support the tax referendum scheduled for tomorrow’s vote,” Young said Monday. “We are asking people to su[pport these students by going to the polls tomorrow and voting no. While we want quality education for all students in Alabama, we cannot trust that the funds received would be used to benefit all students equally.” Superintendent Keri Johnson said that the tax increase will generate $150 million for the system over the next ten years. The tax increase will apply to vehicle tags as well as homes, businesses, farms, and lands. Johnson said that passing both tax increase measures on the ballot will fund a number of capital improvements as well as allow the system to reduce class sizes, improve mental health services for students, allow the system to offer dual enrollment scholarships, hire more school resource officers, and improve security. This does not apply to persons whose children as zoned to Tuscaloosa City schools, as the City of Tuscaloosa has its own school system. Residents of Tuscaloosa city pay 21 mills in property taxes. Tuscaloosa County residents currently pay 10 mills – the minimum that the state will allow. Polls will stay open until 7:00 p.m. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Tuscaloosa County voters to decide on property tax increase on Tuesday
Tuscaloosa County voters go to the polls on Tuesday to decide whether or not to raise property taxes. The Tuscaloosa County School Board is asking for an eight-mill increase in property tax. The Tuscaloosa County Commission has called the Special Election at the request of the Tuscaloosa County Board of Education to let voters decide on whether or not to raise property taxes for the Tuscaloosa County school system. The tax increases are divided into two ballot initiatives: one for a five-mill increase and the other for a three-mill increase. If both pass, then according to the Tuscaloosa County School Superintendent Keri Johnson, the system will receive about $15 million a year in additional revenues. The system already receives 10 mills in local tax support in addition to state and federal dollars. Former Northport Mayor Bobby Herndon has come out in opposition to the massive proposed tax increase. “I’m very passionate about Northport city schools,” Herndon said. “But as a Dad, a Granddad, a citizen of the great city of Northport, Northport’s never going to be the city it can be until it has its own school system.” “I know the county school board’s made presentations and showing what their proposals are and how they’re going to rebuild the schools and all this stuff across the county, but we have no guarantees of that,” said Herndon argued. “If you and I were to go to a bank to borrow money to do something, then we’d have to fill out all kind of paperwork and all kind of agreements and all kind of contracts that have to be definite things that’s going to take place if we build or if we don’t build. We come up failing to do what we have said that we would do, but we have nothing that we can hold them liable for.” Proponents claim that the money will be used to fund capital projects, fund more school resource officers, building security improvements, more pre-K services, decrease class sizes, increase electives, provide more mental health services, and increase dual enrollment scholarships. The tax increase will not affect Tuscaloosa city residents as Tuscaloosa city has a municipal school system. Tuscaloosa City residents pay 21 mills to support their city system. The Tuscaloosa County System has come under criticism recently for concerns about the culture at the schools and concerns that Black History may not be fully taught during Black History Month. There was a recent student walkout at Hillcrest High School to express these concerns. “We care deeply about our students, and it is important that their concerns are heard,” Johnson said in a statement. “We are putting together a plan to make sure our Hillcrest High students have an opportunity to express their concerns openly and honestly. Listening to them will let us know the right steps to take to ensure all students know they are valued.” The past two times that county voters were asked to increase their property taxes, voters rejected the measures. Polls will open at 7:00 am and close at 7:00 pm. Voters need to have a valid photo ID in order to participate in any Alabama election. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Governor Kay Ivey’s most recent board and commission appointments
Governor Kay Ivey’s office has announced her recent nominations to state boards and commissions. Please see her picks below for several boards and commissions. Troy University Board of Trustees Cam Ward Ethics Commission Deborah Long Real Estate Commission Terri May Jackson Co. Commission Chairman General Willie Nance Jr. Rehabilitation Services Bob Lujano II Housing Finance Authority Bobby Herndon Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractors Board Susan Bolt Counseling Board of Examiners Robyn Simmons Construction Recruitment Institute Board of Directors Jerry Grissom
Alabama mayor hospitalized with coronavirus infection
The mayor of an Alabama city said he was hospitalized over the weekend after being diagnosed with COVID-19. Northport Mayor Bobby Herndon said in a Facebook post that he was admitted to the hospital Sunday night, hours after learning he was infected with the coronavirus, The Tuscaloosa News reported. “My breathing is good,” the 67-year-old mayor wrote. “My main problem is that I developed blood clots.” He said he was scheduled to undergo tests and an ultrasound Monday. The mayor’s wife, Key Herndon, was hospitalized with COVID-19 earlier this month. He announced Friday that she had come home. Northport is a city of about 25,000 just outside Tuscaloosa. Herndon’s election in October marked his return to the office he previously held from 2008 to 2016. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Election runoffs in 10 Central Alabama municipalities on Tuesday
Alabamians are headed to the polls yet again on Tuesday for municipal runoffs across the Yellowhammer State. In central Alabama there are no less than 10 runoffs in races that were too close to call on Aug. 23. Here’s a look at a handful of some of the bigger mayoral races today: Anniston Jack Draper vs. Robert Folsom Winnowed down from five candidates, Draper or Folsom will ultimately replace outgoing mayor Vaughn Stewart. Chelsea Tony Picklesimer vs. Dale Neuendorf After five consecutive terms, Chelsea’s first mayor, Earl Nivens, is stepping down, leaving the seat open for Picklesimer or Neuendorf to take over. Childersburg Ken Wesson vs. Pete Storey Outgoing mayor James Payne exits from politics, making way for Wesson or Storey. Fairfield Edward E. May vs. Johnnie Wyatt May and Wyatt are going head-to-head for the seat that’s been riddled with problems — from late or delayed payments to city employees, to losing public transportation, to issues with the police department— under outgoing mayor Kenneth Coachman‘s leadership. Graysville Clark “Julio” Davis vs. Mary Sue Morgan Separated by only 1 percent of the vote in the Aug. 23 municipal elections, the race between Davis and Morgan is expected to be a close one. Hueytown Steve Ware vs. Delor Baumann Another race that was too close to call is August was the Hueytown race between Ware and the incumbent mayor, Baumann. Only 58 votes separated the two. Jasper Greg Tinker vs. David O’Mary Taking over three-term mayor Sonny Posey‘s position will be Tinker or O’Mary. Northport Bobby Herndon vs. Donna Aaron A crowded field of six in August is now down to two. Incumbent Mayor Herndon will face off with Aaron. Sylacauga James Heigl vs. Bryan Taunton With sitting Mayor Doug Humphree out of the way thanks to his fourth-place finish on Aug. 23, Heigl and Taunton will face off at the polls Tuesday, and one of them will walk away as the new mayor of Sylacauga. Trussville Anthony Montalto vs. Buddy Choat With 10-year incumbent Mayor Eugene Melton out of the way, Montalto and Choat are ready to take over the reins in Trussville.
