Tuscaloosa County votes resounding 'No' on millage raise for school system

Mark Hughes Cobb, The Tuscaloosa News
·2 min read

Despite a low turnout, roughly 17 percent of registered, eligible voters, an attempt to raise the millage rate, to benefit the Tuscaloosa County School System was soundly rejected.

With 98.08 percent of ballots counted, from 50 precincts the "no" votes weighed in at nearly 80 percent, to about 20 percent voting "yes." The special election contained two provisions, one to raise the millage by five points, and the other to raise it by three points. TCSS hoped for a combined raise to bring the county's rate up from its current 10 mills, the lowest allowable by law, up to 18 mills.

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Any remaining ballots to be counted are unlikely to sway the outcome, said Probate Judge Rob Robertson. Provisional and absentee ballots will be counted by a week from today, when the count will be final and official.

Out of 84,147 eligible, registered voters -- outside the Tuscaloosa city limits — 14,306 ballots were cast. The vote for the 5-mill increase ran 11,295, or 79.55 percent against; 2,903, or 20.45 percent in favor. The 3-mill vote went 11,110, or 78.15 percent against; 3,107 or 21.85 percent in favor.

Feb 14, 2023; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; A sign outside Northport City Hall greeted potential voters as Tuscaloosa County voters went to the polls Tuesday to vote to either increase property tax to support schools or deny the tax increase.
Feb 14, 2023; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; A sign outside Northport City Hall greeted potential voters as Tuscaloosa County voters went to the polls Tuesday to vote to either increase property tax to support schools or deny the tax increase.

"I think some of the problem tonight, we had people out there who do not understand the situation," said Keri Johnson, TCSS superintendent. "They think we have money we don't have," and aren't being good stewards of available funding. "And nothing could be further from the truth."

Johnson was especially disappointed with organized opposition, which spent far more on "Vote No" signs and campaigning than most property owners would have paid out in additional tax, she said.

"There is no backup plan," she said. TCSS will continue to do its best with what it has, she said, but the aging buildings, unfunded mandates and lack of safety officers and other needed resources will remain problems.

"We're back to the drawing board with aging, overcrowded schools and faculty shortages," Johnson said. "It's really sad."

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Tuscaloosa County rejects property tax increase for school system