Possible tax increase creates controversy - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

Possible tax increase creates controversy

Posted: Updated:
By Melissa McKinney - bio | email

  • More news

  • Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:21 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:21:24 GMT
    It's not abnormal for lawmakers to begin a political meeting with a prayer. But in Arizona, an atheist state representative began the daily session with a quote from a well-known atheist.
    It's not abnormal for lawmakers to begin a political meeting with a prayer. But in Arizona, an atheist state representative began the daily session with a quote from a well-known atheist.

  • Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:14 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:14:08 GMT
    It's that time of year again when our attention shifts from the spring threat of thunderstorms and tornadoes to summer's meteorological menace, hurricanes.  The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June
    It's that time of year again when our attention shifts from the spring threat of thunderstorms and tornadoes to summer's meteorological menace, hurricanes.  The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June through November.  Every April, Colorado State University releases a preseason forecast, and not everyone is a fan of those predictions.

  • Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:13 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:13:27 GMT
    From the looks of the outside, it appears to be a normal day at Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School St. Bede's campus. But the end of the year excitement is on for these second graders. That's where
    An airman's homecoming turns into the chance of a lifetime for one family. Thanks to some good planning, a father returning from an overseas deployment gets to make his daughter's dream come true...literally.
    •   
CLAYTON, AL (WSFA) -

On election day, Barbour County residents have a decision to make--raise property taxes or not?

"Many people are under the assumption that we did not need money or we were not in dire straights," says Barbour County School Superintendent, Jimmie Fryer.

Fryer says the school system was forced to borrow money to make ends meet this year.

He believes the funds generated from a new 4-mil property tax would prevent that.

"Would help ensure more financial stability for our system," adds Fryer.

But of course, talk of a tax increase has locals...talking.

"We own property here and we're struggling as it is now and for it to go up. We just we can't afford it," says Clayton resident Georgiana Thomas.

"Yes, I'm greatly in favor of it and we need it very bad for our kids and our school system," says Barbour County resident, Leroy Rumph.

There is just as much support for the tax as there is against it. That's why the superintendent wants to make sure everyone knows how much they'd be paying if the tax increase passes.

"Only $4 for every $10,000 of the value of their appraised property," says Fryer.

Which means for a $100-thousand dollar house...that's $40 additional dollars in taxes each year.

Still, it's too much for some.

"The schools probably need it, but they could probably tighten their belts and be a little bit more efficient than they are," adds Thomas.

"It's not gonna go up that much. Anything to help the school kids," adds Rumph.

Fryer says if it passes, this would be the first passed tax referendum for Barbour County schools since integration in the 1960's.

If voters pass the tax increase it would go into effect for 30 years and generate $10-million dollars for the school system.

Copyright 2012  WSFA 12 News.  All rights reserved.