Montgomery Holds Community Discussion on 1-cent Sales Tax

by WSFA

On Jan. 6, the Montgomery County Commission will vote on the one-cent general fund sales tax, which is causing concern within local education.

For nearly two decades, the Montgomery Public Schools (MPS) system has been supported by the one-cent county sales tax, and now the district could see challenges if this is reduced. According to MPS, the sales tax brought in $33 million last year.

“Dr. Byrd, our superintendent has said it over and over again. Montgomery Public Schools is moving forward, and our students really do deserve progress. They don’t deserve setbacks and stable funding is how we make that possible,” said Director of Communications for MPS, Rosanna Smith.

MPS has announced several key initiatives within the last month. For MCC, the proposal is meant to share funds for public safety and healthcare.

“All we’re doing is trying to partner with Pike Road and MPS. Pike Road is on board, MPS again wants more and more. We’re not cutting them; we’re not capping them. They just aren’t going to get a huge bonus this year as they have in years past,” said Chairman of the MCC, Doug Singleton.

“For MPS, the county sales tax pays for teachers, student programs, and everyday needs, which would be a challenge if reduced. It could put us at risk of losing 4.5 million dollars annually. That is equivalent to about 50-70 jobs in our district,” said Smith.

Chairman Singleton spoke about the potential of faculty positions being lost calling it “absolutely not true,” adding that the focus remains improving the ad lorem tax with a 10% share of the one cent sales tax, to reinvest in keeping the hospital open and providing more deputies and a new Sheriff’s Office data center.

Superintendent of Pike Road Schools Dr. Keith Lankford said while he doesn’t support the removal of funding sources, there’s an understanding to the position that the commission is under and that this is a decision that falls with the county commission. Not on the shoulders of local school boards or superintendents.