Road department help on way?

By Holli Keaton (Contact) | Troy Messenger

Published Tuesday, November 24, 2009

The Pike County Commission took steps Monday bring revenues to its road department, which has had to sell equipment and cut staff in the last year to stay afloat.

Or at least commissioners hope this is what could happen.

After discussions over implementing an increase in property taxes to assist volunteer fire departments in Pike County and already passing a local legislation to add an additional 2 percent lodging tax in the county, commissioners finalized agreements Monday night.

Both pieces of legislation will have to go before the Alabama Legislature for a vote, and then, if passed there, will meet final approval at the hands of Pike County residents in the June 2010 election.

Commissioners decided in the meeting, to pass locally an addition 2-mill increase on ad valorem taxes for residents outside the Troy City limits.

With revenues generated in the increase, 50 percent will be allocated to the Pike County Fire Fighters Association for volunteer fire departments.

The other 50 percent will be earmarked for county use, 10 percent to the Revenue Commission office and the other 40 percent used to assist with matching grants in the road department and debt reduction.

Commission Chairman Robin Sullivan said an example of how the money would be used in the road department is helping match its annual federal funding, which is typically around $500,000.

“We get $500,000. We have to match $100,000,” Sullivan said. “The rest we can use to absolve debt.”

Sullivan said he encourages residents to be open to an extra property tax to assist with volunteer fire departments and county needs.

“This is not just to give us money to do whatever we want,” Sullivan said.

The lodging tax proposal has been approved, and if passed, will add 2 percent to the already 8 percent lodging taxes in Pike County.

But, until Monday, the commission never said specifically how the money generated would be allocated.

Money will be split for road department needs and promoting tourism in the county.

Also in the meeting, the commission gave Jones authority to draft a bill for legislative approval that would give the county local authority to increase the county coroner’s pay.

Commissioners also elected District 3 Representative Jimmy Barron as the new commissioner chairman and current commissioner Robin Sullivan as vice chair.

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