Tax Increase A Possibility?

Alabama Schools Baldwin County Board of Education will ask county commissioners to levy emergency one cent sales tax once again

by Pat Peterson

Published: Tue, October 27, 2009 - 4:43 pm CST Last Updated: Tue, October 27, 2009 - 6:43 pm CST

BAY MINETTE, Alabama -
The Baldwin County Board of Education has done just about everything they can do to keep the school system from financially failing....massive layoffs, cuts in curriculum and the elimination of extra curricular activities. But it hasn't been enough. Recently, school officials announced "Phase 2" in a reduction in force policy...another round of layoffs affecting the central office. To help stop the financial bleeding, board members will ask county commissioners once again to consider an emergency one cent sales tax.

"We're not a money making business," says Baldwin Co. School Supt. Dr. Faron Hollinger. "We're not a for profit entity, we simply operate on the revenues we're provided, via the state, local or federal government. We're at a critical level now, you the kind of financial hits that this system has taken over 75 million dollars less in our budget this year than year. You just don't take those kind of hits and continue to provide the quality that people have been accustomed to."

County commissioners will listen to the school board's request.

"There's some things we've got to do to help them, whether it's a tax or whatever it is to alleviate some of their concerns that they have at this point," says commissioner Charles Gruber. "We're here to work with them and we understand the situation they're in."

School officials pulled the tax hike proposal off the table back in August because of lack of support. The board will meet will county commissioners to discuss the one-cent sales tax this Friday at 9am at the commission annex in Robertsdale. The meeting is open to the public.

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graham17 Says:

Wed, Oct 28, 2009 at 4:28 pm

Sundew is spot on.

Withdraw our contribution to the “equity funding” and crisis over.
We can’t afford our own schools but we continue to bleed money to other counties. It just doesn’t make sense.

taxpayer Says:

Wed, Oct 28, 2009 at 8:31 am

How about eliminating football from the school system? There are plenty of new coaches making twice the pay of regular teachers that are not tenured, and they survived the last two rounds of employee cuts; and this included removing people with 5 plus years of experience from central office positions. The coaches that are tenured can teach normal classes and not recieve additional coaching pay. Plus, with no “additional” expenditures for equipment and stadium upkeep there would be additional savings.

Is this what you want as citizens of Baldwin County? Or would you rather pay a 1 cent sales tax?

Sunndew Says:

Wed, Oct 28, 2009 at 4:24 am

The biggest would be to tell the state to give the county BACK the 45 million that was paid to them so poorer counties do not have to raise their taxes. Instead they just work off the money from Baldwin and a couple other counties.
We work hard in this county and deserve what we make and give to our schools. Stop taking it away and giving it to others who don’t. (this sound familiar to anybody?)

claycitymadness Says:

Tue, Oct 27, 2009 at 7:57 pm

Pat i wonder how difficult it would be to get in touch with an anti tax group, like the tea party folks and get thier stance ont the tax. a sales tax is a very regressive tax affecting the poorest the most, and its no way to fund your schools. there are many angles to this story can you give us a few others?

claycitymadness Says:

Tue, Oct 27, 2009 at 7:36 pm

how about no. how about work with what you have, many are in the same situation, i also have cut back as far as i can. you cant get blood out of a stone. do what we overpay you to do or quit. stop whining. there isnt anymore form the well to draw from. writing the comissioners again now to remind them of our opposition.