FAIRVIEW – Citizens of Cullman County are invited to an open tax discussion on Saturday, Aug. 13 in the Fairview High School auditorium. The purpose of the meeting, according to organizer Ron Stone, is to talk about “how our taxes can be used and distributed on a fair and equal basis.” All elected officials and community leaders are invited to attend.
“Both State Representatives Randall Shedd and Corey Harbison, along with County Commissioner Garry Marchman, have pledged to attend and will answer any questions you may have,” said Stone. “After the elected and school officials speak, certain community service representatives will have a chance to talk. Each speaker will have five minutes to discuss their ideas and talk about the current tax system and how it should be divided among the service systems in Cullman County that use taxes from Cullman County citizens.”
Below are some of the topics, according to Stone, that will be discussed during the open discussion:
- No new sales tax, countywide. Change the current taxes to a more equitable sharing plan; 50/50 County and City.
- Delete tax money going to the private corporation – CRMC. Take that $400,000 per year from the hospital and give it to the Cullman County & City public classrooms.
- $.05 per can of beer, $.05 per bottle of wine and whiskey to go to the Cullman City Police Department and County Sheriff’s Office.
- 5% of hard liquor tax added to all hard liquor sales in Cullman to go directly to the sheriff’s fund for the Sheriff’s Office use.
- $.02 per gallon of gas and diesel fuel tax going to roads in Cullman County – This tax split is based on road miles in Cullman County and cities and towns that are responsible for the road miles in their areas.
- Check on the Blue Line Water tax going into Smith Lake. Alabama Power, a private corporation, sells our water and pays Cullman County nothing for it.
- All changes should be put on a ballot to be voted on by Cullman County voters.
“The 50-50 split with Cullman County and its municipalities is my main priority,” Stone said. “Classrooms across the county need money. The tax split is to assist the schools across Cullman County.”
Last month, Harbison said, "I am not participating in any tax debate. I know I have been approached by a few residents that would like to see the tax structure changed, and I will attend to listen to residents, but I don't plan to speak or have any part in organizing (the debate)."
Shedd told The Tribune, "Mr. Stone contacted me about his thoughts about changing the tax structure in Cullman County. I agreed to attend and listen to the public on this issue."
The meeting is sure to be an interesting one, so mark your calendars and plan to attend. The open discussion will be on Aug. 13 from 1-4 p.m. in the Fairview High School auditorium.
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