Possible Huntsville Sales Tax Increase
Submitted by: Kimberly Grant, Huntsville Real Estate Agent
Huntsville Real Estate
There is a possible Huntsville tax increase up for debate. The goal of the tax increase is to fund the addition of three to four new schools to our area. Our classes are becoming overcrowded and the rapid growth of Huntsville spurred the need for an action plan for the future. It is believed that this problem will only get worst in the future due to the latest round of BRAC decisions. Col. John Olshefski of Redstone Arsenal reports following a meeting with the secretary of the Army that the Huntsville area could expect as many as 9,000 new students by 2011 with the move of military and civilian jobs coming to the Arsenal. The addition of the new schools will allow space for the additional students and also allow a break up of some of the currently overcrowded schools in our area, such as Bob Jones High which is currently Alabama's largest high school by enrollment.
It is expected that proposed tax increase will be addressed at the Madison County Commission meeting tomorrow at 1pm. The proposed half percent increase will mean a sales tax of 8.5% within the Huntsville city limits and 6% outside. The commission rejected a sales tax increase this past October in a 4-2 vote and it is believed that currently three of the seven members of the Commission do not agree with the increase and two are undecided. The proposed tax increase is expected to raise $10.5 million a year for Huntsville City School, $7.4 million for Madison County Schools, and $3.7 million for Madison City Schools. This money can be used to borrow more money for the school systems for building, upgrading, and additions.
If the tax increase does not pass, it is evident that an alternate plan will have to surface soon. The Huntsville area will have to show that it has the educational resources to match the expected growth of the area. I would imagine that business leaders would be in full support of the increase. Most importantly, school leaders and students would benefit from the plan. Improving our school system can only benefit our area. New and better schools lead to new and better communities through the development of more commercial development, new roads, and new businesses. All of this could have another effect that really peeks my interest...a possible increase in Huntsville property values. On the other hand, there is a concern about building and adding new schools to accomodate students that have not arrived yet. There is an additional concern about the effect the tax increase will have on poor families and those on a fixed income. I am a strong supporter in education and I am definitely in favor or improving our schools. We just need to find the best way to make that happen in our area. I guess time will tell and we will soon see what the outcome will be.
Helpful Links:
- City of Huntsville
- Huntsville City Schools
- Madison City Schools
- Madison County Schools
- Madison County Alabama
Kimberly Grant
Realtor, Exit Leon Crawford Realty
KimberlyGrant.info
Mailto:KimberlyGrant@exitrealtyhsv.com
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