Vote on $11.5 million property tax in Alabama City just weeks away

In less than three weeks, Tuscaloosa residents will vote on whether or not to raise property taxes. The extra money would benefit Tuscaloosa City Schools, but not everyone is in favor of the increase. Signs have been posted throughout the city of Tuscaloosa urging residents to “vote against the property tax increase.” TCS Board of Education Chairman Eric Wilson emphasized that the school system's ad valorem tax has not been raised since 1986. “I would say TCS is making great progress,” Wilson said. “We love our students. We think our schools are great. It's time for us to become a champion city, and unfortunately that means we have to raise taxes. Nobody likes raising taxes.” The goal of the vote is to raise property taxes by 11.5 percent, meaning residents would pay $115 more in taxes for every $100,000 in home value. The money will help TCS expand existing programs. “We have current programs that were put in place about eight years ago to really prepare us for the Literacy Act. Our RB-3 program, which promotes reading through third grade, has made great strides in that area,” Wilson said. “We have a robust summer learning program. It's really detailed and created for that purpose. We want to continue that, we want to expand it. It's a very comprehensive, low-cost program. We want arts and music year-round.” TCS' chief financial officer presented the budget for the year at Tuesday night's board meeting. Currently, the school system has a $6 million deficit. Wilson said the tax increase is one of their last options to close that gap. “Inflation has really hit school systems very hard, and the tax rate hasn't been increased since 1986,” Wilson said. “There are very few areas where we get money to provide programs for our schools and our children, and this is one of the last resorts.” Tuscaloosa residents will vote on the tax in a special election on Sept. 24.