Tax Increase Proposal Takes Next Step

Fairhope, Alabama




PETITION SUBMITTED

Fairhope city councilman Robert Brown said more than enough signatures have been obtained to submit the petition for a special school tax district to the Baldwin County Board of Education for its approval ... and then on to the County Commission so that a date for the voter referendum may be set, probably late  September.

Councilman Robert Brown
Last month, the city council unanimously approved terms of the district referendum to allow voters the opportunity to increase their property tax earmarked for schools by three mills, to be exclusively used in the Fairhope feeder pattern -- and focused on providing additional math and reading instruction where test scores show help is needed.

The goal according to the city's Educational Advisory Committee is to bring Fairhope schools into the top ten in the state, based upon standard testing.

Brown is the council's representative on the EAC; he is also a partner in Pittman/Brown Home Builders Company and past president of the Baldwin County Home Builders Association ... as well as current Vice President of the Home Builders Association of Alabama.

Comments

Anonymous said…
No new taxes. Taxes for schools are already high enough.
Anonymous said…
Well if one really is concerned with the Fairhope city tax it's is an odd question.The Single Tax only received it's single original charter in 1897,precluding the ability of instilling a city tax, yet there is one as of several years ago, by yet previous administration.I say do away with one or other.A single charter state as Alabama is.
Anonymous said…
The cost of living here is already too high for ordinary people trying to live here.
Drew A said…
Fairhope Elementary is miserably overcrowded. We need capital investment more than we need additional instructors for math and reading.
Anonymous said…
Several long time elderly neighbors of mine including veterans have sold and moved because they were no longer able to afford the property taxes on their homes. It broke their hearts but what can you do when fools ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Anonymous said…
With little zone law and mass building at every corner. Where did you all think the kids were going to end up? It is time for a County impact fee to help fund this growth. Stop and I do mean stop taxing the home owner for every need that develops. What about the medical,police,sewer,electric and of course road improvements? The special tax does nothing for that. Listen to our Wise Mayor and support her call for a County Impact Fee!!!
Anonymous said…
Wise mayor? What drugs are you taking.
Anonymous said…
I hope people do not fall for this trick by the school board to take money form Fairhope residents and divert it to other parts of the county.
Anonymous said…
Builders and realtors always want more taxes from you to make schools better because that helps them sell more houses.
Anonymous said…
If this passes it will be plenty to form an independent school system, finally cut loose from the gang in Bay Minette.
Anonymous said…
Well it’s up tp you to vote for what you want. I am sorry some long termers have to move but that means they probably didn’t have the income to own a private residence. Hopefully they were able to sell for way more than what their property cost. They can move a few miles to unincorporated Baldwin and get more house and lower taxes and still be pretty close to Fairhope.. Whatever we do I hope we don’t set up a local school system because that simply will cost more and I don’t think it will make any difference.

No one has clearly stated (to my hearing) if Fairhope is able to charge a higher impact fee. I thought the state limited us. If possible I do agree they need to max out the impact fee.
Anonymous said…
Alabama has the second lowest property taxes in the United States, only Hawaii is lower. The comment about moving because of property taxes is complete and utter nonsense regurgitated by a small faction. The only reason they spout this nonsense is due to anonymity this site provides.
Anonymous said…
If I am willing to sacrifice and pay for my child to attend private school, why should I also sacrifice to pay for your child to attend gopvernment school? Why do you think it’s ok to use the force of government to confiscate more of our money for your wants and desires? How is it a private school can educate my child for less money than your government school can educate yours? Do you know of any plans by the government school system to eliminate wasteful spending?
Anonymous said…
Taxes are not lower here its just that sales taxes are used to fund education in Alabama, instead of property tax.
Anonymous said…
Your nonsense had me sell my house of 34 years I would have preferred stay in till my death, it was home, instead I'll die in this small apartment outside of Fhope.
Anonymous said…
Solid questions above. I guess the soccer mom crowd is too busy getting their nails done to answer.