Sheffield school tax up for vote

SHEFFIELD -- A 5-mill property tax that benefits Sheffield schools will have to be renewed this year or dropped.

The issue rests in the hands of Sheffield voters.

In an effort to save money, city council members will attempt to hold a referendum in conjunction with a proposed Sunday alcohol sales referendum. A date has yet to be scheduled.

"It would be a travesty to hold two referendums (separately) because of the cost involved," Mayor Billy Don Anderson said.

City Clerk Clayton Kelly said the cost of a city election is about $6,000 to $8,000.

Kelley said the tax originally dates to the 1940s. The 5-mill tax was enacted in May 1985 when 2- mill and 3-mill property taxes were combined.

A mill is one-tenth of 1 percent. On a $100,000 house, the owners pay $50 to meet the obligation of the tax in question.

Kelly said the tax generates about $200,000 per year for the school system.

Sheffield's total millage rate for schools is 19.5, including the 5 mills up for renewal, Kelly said.

Anderson emphasized that the referendum will not be for a new tax. It's strictly the renewal of a tax that has been collected for 22 years.

Kelly informed the council, however, that the tax actually expired in September 2005 and was never renewed.

Anderson said he was unaware that the tax needed to be renewed until he recently spoke to Richard Gardner, Sheffield's superintendent of education.

"It was put into place before anybody in this room was here," Kelly said.

In other business, the council:

N/ appointed Tommy Barnes to the housing authority board.

N/ approved a $2,600 expenditure to match a $7,600 Federal Emergency Management Agency grant to provide auxiliary power for the city's radio system.

N/ approved a $325.28 expense to Mark McLeary for plumbing repairs at Brewster School.

N/ approved a $1,500 expense to repair windows and provide safety lighting at The Village school.

N/ announced two vacancies for alternate members to the board of zoning adjustments and appeals.

N/ encouraged support for Zac Hacker and Angela Hacker, Shoals residents who are finalists on the Nashville Star television program.

Russ Corey can be reached at 740-5738 or russ.corey@timesdaily.com.