Saraland passes sales tax extension

SARALAND, Ala. (WALA) - Monday, one Mobile County city passed an extension of a one percent sales tax increase and one is scheduled to vote on a sales tax increase Tuesday.

The Saraland City Council  voted 4 to 1 Monday night to extend a one cent sales tax hike.

During the meeting, six citizens got up to speak, all of whom favored the extension of the sales tax. They said the city is progressing and want to see it continue to do so.

“If we discontinue it, I think there is a lot of pain in our future especially in the area of public safety,” said a Saraland citizen.  

An idea that was shared among many at the specially called council meeting Monday night; except for one, city council member Sidney Butler.

Butler said he thinks the council should stick to the promise of ending the tax increase in two years. He said the city should be frugal with the money it has and shouldn’t depend on the extra one percent tax.

The temporary increase was approved back in 2010 when Saraland was facing a $600,000 deficit.

Back then, officials said the city's sewer system was draining money from the general fund.

The city decided to raise the sales tax rather than increase the sewer rate and for a third year, the sales tax will remain.

Saralnd isn't the only city in Mobile County deciding how to spend your money.

In the City of Mobile, the tax could increase to 10 percent.

Mobile City Council is expected to vote on the tax increase at Tuesday’s council meeting.

Mobile’s sales tax increase has been talked about for almost a year now. The discussions started even before the old sales tax increase expired and now the deadline to act is just two weeks away when the new fiscal year begins.

The Mobile tax increase needs five votes to pass and so far it doesn't look like it will have that much support.