County Commission Sets New School Tax Vote

Fairhope, Alabama


Baldwin County Commission


REFERENDUM TO BE HELD SEPT. 17TH

Today, the county commission set September 17th as the date for the voter referendum for the new 3 mill property tax in the Fairhope-area county school feeder pattern (School tax district District 9); also a similar one for the Spanish Fort feeder pattern (Tax district 7).

According to the documents, Fairhope's proposed new tax duration is 30 years, to be used generally for "public school purposes"; Spanish Fort's for 10 years to be used only for "academic enhancement and life skills programs."

If approved the new tax will begin being levied on property owners in each district beginning Oct. 1, 2019; a new 'school commission' will be appointed by the city councils to oversee/recommend tax revenue distribution.



Fairhope feeder pattern


Proposed Fairhope-area ballot






Comments

Anonymous said…
Vote Yes!
Anonymous said…
Baldwin County should impose impact fees on new homes to fund the schools. I think that Fairhope taxpayers pay enough for the schools already but there is a never-ending supply of new kids coming in and making money for the developers.
Anonymous said…
Nope, not until a true accounting of how much the city and citizens already pay to the schools including rent and maintenance free use of the city owned sports fields (paid for with tax money) and direct contributions from the city (more tax money). Also, impact fees to help with not only schools, but infrastructure within Fairhope as well.
Anonymous said…
The county is slow to adopt change... they complained when the county commission suggested pay as you go in 2010 stating it wouldn’t work and now they brag about the savings versus traditions bond financing. Just a bunch of political posturing.

For all their complaining, they will learn to adjust as new city schools form and start out performing them.
Anonymous said…
Teeing it up for Fairhope City Schools. #voteno
Anonymous said…
If you care about the children vote yes.
Anonymous said…
If you care about children receiving a quality public education vote no. These folks can't effectively run a small town. Why in the world would you put them in charge of educating our children?
Bre said…
VOTE NO! We are already taxed more than last year, if anyone is paying attention!?! Also, look at the schools. Fairhope High ranked in the top schools in AL (no other school in Baldwin or Mobile Co even ranked). Not to mention, my gosh, do you remember how they wasted the 1% sales tax that we had for years??? Seriously, this makes no sense for a tax increase for this area when you look at all the information.
Anonymous said…
Vote no.
There still in no transparency in Baldwin County School spending and administration. More tax dollars will not necessarily help the children... that has been proven many times over.
Anonymous said…
No way. Not until there is a lottery here.
Anonymous said…
I agree with most of the above. We need to communicate this all over the voting area so that we get the turnout to turn off our tax increase. I think that Fairhope is getting way out in front of its skis to be trying to sell at THIRTY YEAR TAX! Spanish Fort is selling a 10 year tax, which is a bit more palatable. Vote NO.