No action taken on sales tax resolution

RUSSELLVILLE -- City council members talked about a possible 1-cent sales tax increase for the county Monday night, but when the time came to pass a resolution on to state legislators expressing their opinion, they did nothing.

The Franklin County Commission passed a resolution in April asking Sen. Roger Bedford, D-Russellville, and Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow, D-Red Bay, to seek legislation that would allow the county to implement the increase to be used for economic development. Russellville was expected to follow suit.

The commission's resolution is based on a proposal passed by Colbert County officials. Colbert and Lauderdale counties are looking to add a half-cent tax to be used by the Shoals Economic Development Authority.

Mitch Mays, executive director of the Franklin County Development Authority, asked the commission to seek the 1-cent sales tax. He said the tax would allow the county to get industrial parks in all its incorporated cities ready to attract businesses and would allow for other infrastructure improvements.

The resolution asks that state legislators allow the county to levy the tax with the money to be used by a newly established Franklin County Industrial Development Committee.

That six-member committee would consist of one county commissioner and the mayors of Russellville, Red Bay, Phil Campbell, Vina and Hodges.

The Vina and Phil Campbell town councils have passed resolutions in support of the tax, while Red Bay officials have expressed opposition to it.

Monday night, Russellville Councilman Thomas "Tinker" Malone proposed a resolution stating several things the city would like to see changed before a tax was put in place.

It recommends that 10 percent of the money would go to volunteer fire departments while another 40 percent would be split between the Franklin County and Russellville city school systems.

Malone's resolution also asked that two members of the Franklin County Industrial Development Committee come from Russellville.

His motion to pass the resolution died from a lack of a second.

"The only way that I am for (the tax increase) is for the people to vote on it," said Councilman Burns "Buckshot" Saint.

Councilman Craig Grissom said he was concerned about the way the money generated from a tax would be spent and said he, too, wants residents to vote on the issue.

Legislators will decide if the commission can levy the tax or if it goes to a countywide ballot for vote.

Jonathan Willis can be reached at 332-0140 or jonathan.willis@timesdaily.com.