Jeffco Voters to Decide on Homewood’s Ability to Increase Property Taxes
Jefferson County voters will decide Tuesday whether to grant Homewood an exemption from the state’s lid bill, paving the way for city residents to approve a property tax increase in a later vote to fund schools. “The bottom line is that citizens should be able to control their own tax base through a vote of the people instead of being micro-managed by the state legislature,” a website the city launched to publicize the vote says.
The 1971 lid bill caps a city’s property tax rate at 1.5%. Cities like Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, and Huntsville are exempt because they had property tax rates higher than the “lid” prior to the bill’s passage.
Homewood officials wanted the referendum for the primary purpose of improving city schools, where local funds come from property tax. School Superintendent Bill Cleveland says the city wants the option to raise taxes, but adds there are no immediate plans for an increase.
“If we wait until we need an increase to have this law changed, that will be too late,” Cleveland says.
A “yes” vote on the November 6th ballot is a vote in favor of Homewood receiving an exemption from the bill.
Homewood resident Erik Henninger, who has lived in Homewood for 13 years and has a first and third-grader at Hall-Kent Elementary, supports the amendment. Municipalities such as Vestavia and Mountain Brook have been able to pull in additional school funds through property taxes. Henninger says Homewood would be more competitive if allowed an exemption. He worries residents will confuse the vote as a required tax increase.
Ryan Reardon has lived in Homewood for 18 years and has two children — one graduated from Homewood High School and one attends Homewood Middle. He has seen significant growth throughout the city over the last two decades and says he’s more than willing to contribute towards bettering his community. The local amendment came to his attention weeks ago and he stands behind it. He hopes that other Homewood and county voters will see the local amendment as a way to give the city the ability to fund its future as opposed to a tax increase. He wants Homewood to control its own fate rather than lawmakers in Montgomery.
The Homewood Board of Education allocated about $250,000 to publicize the referendum. Director of Communications Merrick Wilson says the board has been pushing this bill for several years through parent-teacher organizations and to the general public in mailouts and yard signs. Superintendent Cleveland has made videos advocating the exemption on social media.
If voters reject the amendment, Wilson says it won’t prompt drastic changes at city schools. Homewood is renovating five schools, and that work won’t be affected regardless of the outcome Tuesday. The vote is more of a preemptive measure, she says.
Foreign nationals propel U.S. science. Visa limits under Trump could change that
The incoming Trump administration is likely to crack down on the H-1B visas used by tech companies and research institutions to hire top talent from other countries.
The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants on Thursday for Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, for alleged war crimes in the Gaza Strip.
Are you a caregiver for an adult? How has it changed you?
Many who care for family members and loved ones at home say it can be very stressful but also rich in meaning. Share your story and insights.
MF DOOM’s music was his legend. The man himself was the myth
The late rapper's 2004 album MM..FOOD may never have the classic status of its sister release, Madvillainy. But 20 years later, it's the one to play if you want to hear the essence of his artistry.
Here’s how Trump and the GOP may try to weaken Obamacare
Republican control of the White House and Congress sets the stage for potentially seismic changes including curtailing Medicaid, weakening patient protections, and increasing premium costs for millions.
Richer countries are starting to pay poorer ones for climate change damages
With climate-related disasters getting more extreme, richer countries are piloting ways to compensate developing nations, since they bear the least responsibility for causing climate change.
