Baldwin Co. debates temporary tax

BALDWIN CO., Ala. (WALA) -  

Voters in Baldwin County will once again have to vote on a tax to help the school system.  The county commission met Friday with the school board and the Baldwin County legislative coalition to discuss what path to take. 

A 1-cent temporary sales tax that went into effect in 2010 is set to expire in May of next year.  The School Board was charged with finding a solution to the funding deficit by the time it runs out.

“Basically, what we keep coming back to is the citizens of Baldwin County are in favor of a sales tax as opposed to an Ad Valorem,” said Baldwin County School Board President Angie Swiger.  “You cannot argue with a 70 percent figure.”

A recent survey done by the Baldwin County Education Coalition shows that 70 percent of those questioned would approve continuing to pay the tax.  To make that happen would require another vote, and this time school officials would like to make it permanent.

“If in fact the determination is to go forward with a new sales tax, it would be one that we could rely on and that we could budget upon also,” Superintendent of Baldwin County Schools Dr. Alan Lee said.

The thought of keeping the 1-cent tax doesn’t set well with some.  Tax opponent Mary Williams said voting a new tax in is simply a continuation of the one they were promised was temporary.

“What’s the difference between the extension and the new tax,” she asked?  “Isn’t it the same thing?  See, I was confused on that part too.  OK, You’re calling it a new tax, not an extension.”

The County Commission is split on what the best route would be.  Commissioner Chairman Bob James thinks an Ad Valorem Tax would be more appropriate.  That’s a tax based on the assessed value of property.

“Sales tax is such a regressive tax, especially in Alabama, where you’re paying tax on clothes, food…you know, just about every necessity,” James said.  “You know, it’s really regressive on our lower income groups.”

Another dispute is whether to put a referendum on the ballot during the general election in November or call for a special election to vote on the matter.  The one thing all parties know for certain is it will take additional taxes to keep the school system functioning at its current level.

The Baldwin County Commission will vote next Tuesday on whether or not to present the new sales tax to the voters and when.  Currently, the penny sales tax brings $27 million a year for the school system.