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County discusses key changes
Published Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Nothing’s final yet, but plans to present key changes to the Alabama Legislature are in the works at the Pike County Commission table.
Discussions have been underway for years on increasing some property taxes, adding a lodging tax and increasing pay for the Pike County Coroner position. Within two weeks, commissioners hope those plans will be ready to present to the Alabama Legislature for vote.
Commission Chairman Robin Sullivan said plans to add two mills on all property taxes outside of the Troy city limits have been discussed for around two years. The purpose would be to generate revenue for volunteer fire departments in Pike County.
“It’s something that’s very much needed,” said Ray Armstrong, secretary/treasurer with the Pike County Fire Fighters Association. “All we get is the tobacco tax.”
Armstrong presented a proposal to the commission that would add the two mills on property taxes but exempt those who are above 65 or disabled from paying the taxes.
Sullivan said the amount to increase is essentially already agreed upon, but how to distribute the taxes remain undecided.
“I know the volunteer fire folks need money, but we need money in the county, too,” said District 6 Commissioner Oren Fannin. “What about splitting those two mills?”
Commissioners plan to discuss specifics and have them finalized by the next meeting. Sullivan said it is estimated this would bring in about $200,000 in additional revenue annually.
The commission also discussed finalizing plans to impose an additional 2 percent on lodging taxes in Pike County motels.
The proposal, presented originally by District 1 Commissioner Homer Wright, would add to the already 8-percent hotel taxes. Those are now split evenly by the state and the city of Troy.
The commission has no exact plans on where this funding would go but estimate an additional $70,000 generated each year.
The plan behind the tax is it would bring in extra funds to Pike County but not place burdens on local residents.
Both this and the property tax increases would have to go before the state legislature for a vote, then before Pike County residents for the final OK.
The commission went into executive session to discuss local legislation that would allow them to make changes to the county coroner’s pay.
Details will be determined in the next commission meeting, but if this is passed by the legislature, it would not require a vote of county residents, said County Attorney Allen Jones.
Also in the meeting, the commissioners were split on who would serve as the next commission chairman.
Each year, the commission votes to elect a new chairman, but just like last year, they couldn’t all agree.
District 5 Commissioner Charlie Harris motioned to make Wright the chairman. But, that was only met with support of he and Wright.
District 4 Commissioner Ray Goodson voted to elect District 3’s Jimmy Barron to the top spot. Barron, who was absent, was supported by current chairman Sullivan, but argument ensued over whether Sullivan’s vote was in a violation of an open meetings act.
Fannin abstained from voting.
After discussion, commissioners agreed to elect their new leader in the next meeting.
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Comments
Posted by muledeer (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 10:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It is a shame that all districts in the county do not have a quality commissioner. If you really look at the background of each one we have serving, they compare in no way to the quality of commissioners we have in Troy City.
Why won't more qualified individuals run for the County Commission positions ? We need more educated individuals in these slots.
Posted by yatta (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 12:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So you are saying they are dumb and ignorant?
We all voted these people in office.
So what does that make all of us look like?
Posted by justme (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 1:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The County Commissioners are just as qualified as the City Commissioners are. I think many times voters are looking at common sense as well as education for decision making. I too would like to see more candidates to choose from but that is usually not the case. Vote then try supporting those elected by going to the meetings or calling to let them know how you feel about the matter at hand and stop complaining. Maybe you should run for office yourself to make a change.
Posted by Blue_Sky (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 2:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am against any tax that the voters do not get to vote on. I am also not in favor of the 2 mill tax for volunteer fire departments - taxes for volunteers? what a joke.
Posted by turtle (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 3:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The tax money doesn't pay volunteers. Without the money for volunteer fire departments there would be no way to buy firetrucks, equipment to be used and worn by volunteers, etc. Usually when a house is on fire or there is an accident a volunteer fire department (especially in rural areas) is the first on the scene. Those volunteers you sneer at put their lives at risk just like paid firefighters do in a house fire situation.
Posted by WDM (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 4:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
All anyone has to do is go to the city council meeting and then to the county meeting and you can see for yourself the differents in the way business is handled.
Posted by Blue_Sky (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 4:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I did not say that the tax money PAID volunteers but it is a tax for them. A bad idea. Let the county tax and appropriated on a yearly basis and not make it a "tax for volunteers". And I am not sneering at anyone - you take care of that slow one.
Posted by Ramsey (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 5:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
@Blue-Sky
Why is a bad idea? It would allow the purchase of new and improved equipment and better protect those of us who are dependent on volunteer fire departments. If you don't own property outside of the Troy City limits, it would not impact you. If you do own land outside of the city you would benefit.
Posted by Blue_Sky (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 10:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bad idea to tax just for a particular group. Tax and appropriate to the needs for each FY. Needs vary from year to year.
Posted by Mimi (anonymous) on November 11, 2009 at 2:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It seems really sad that volunteer fire departments are being pushed to the back burner. Nobody wants to pay a yearly fee for fire service, nobody would support Bingo due to the issues that it implies to cover expenses, and nobody wants to pay more tax for fire service. A volunteer department means you already get free labor, and there have been grants since 9-11 that have paid for a lot of the equipment in the volunteer departments. However, these volunteers have to sit down and write for these grants, then meet guidelines every year in order to keep that nice equipment. Smoking in the way of tobacco tax has been what has funded the volunteer fire departments and thank God fewer people are smoking, but that means the funding is not there to buy fuel to go in the trucks, and maintain equipment like trucks etc. to go to the fires. I also know that most volunteer departments don't have that many house fires each year, but if you happen to be the one or two that happen and couldn't get help how would you feel? Also, while these departments are called volunteer departments because these people don't get paid, the majority of your paid fireman serve in a volunteer department. So don't think volunteer means untrained. I don't know that a tax is the answer, but there has to be a solution to the funding problem or the county will not be able to continue to have fire protection at some point. I don't pretend to have an answer, but I wanted to share some facts about the problem.It is pretty clear that this issue isn't real important to some of the people in this article, I really wondered how the general public felt about it. I'm interested in reading your comments about the issue.Thanks!
Posted by Newagenda (anonymous) on November 11, 2009 at 6:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Makes a lot of since to me, last month they said that they had an excess in the budget. "First time in years we didn't have to borrow any money" We can afford to give the employees and ourselves raises. I think I am underpaid said Commissioner Robin Sullivan. Now one month later they're talking new taxes. I think the Commisioners should think about this, while most places are laying people off, they are giving themselves raises and while most people are budgeting and saving, they are spending and trying to tax the people to pay for their spending.
Posted by Ramsey (anonymous) on November 11, 2009 at 10:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
@Blue_Sky
I don't totally disagree with your reasoning; but, I am not in favor of a tax that the commission can use as they see fit. I don't have enough faith in their reasoning abilities to allow them that discretion.
Posted by Blue_Sky (anonymous) on November 11, 2009 at 12:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
@Ramsey
I see your point.
Posted by shiftingshadows (anonymous) on November 11, 2009 at 6:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i personally dont like the way the city counsel is run... you people think its all great... i think its horrible and ridiculous.... as for the county... they arent much better but hey... atleast i have a decent commissioner in Baron
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