A new Political Action Committee has launched in Muscle Shoals to oppose property tax increase.
The group opposes a 67 percent increase in the City’s Special Municipal property tax. The tax increase will be voted on by city voters on August 28th.
Stop the Home Tax PAC was recently launched to oppose the proposed 5-mil property tax increase in Muscle Shoals. The vote is being held at the request of the City School Board.
The opponents of the tax increase argue that it would represent a 67 percent increase in the current city-level special property tax for the school board. Opponents argue that a five mill increase would make Muscle Shoals one of the highest taxed municipalities in the region. Muscle Shoals would be at 21-mils, Tuscumbia 13.5 mils, Leighton 11 mils, Cherokee 11 mils, Littleville 11 mils, and Sheffield would be 10 mils.
“We have a number of concerns about this tax increase,” said Carlos Berry, the Chairman of Stop the Home Tax PAC. “Not only will this tax increase place a huge burden on our home owners, but it will hurt our and renters and small business owners as well. Homeowners will see their annual taxes increase, and many renters will likely see their costs increase over the next few years as the property owners struggle to adapt to the higher rates. It is simply impossible to raise the special property tax rate by 67% and not see rates increase.”
Carlos Berry is a former business owner and former elected Colbert County Board of Education member who lives in Muscle Shoals. He has grandkids in the school system and a daughter who teaches there as well.
“I support public education 100%”, Berry said. “What I can’t support is raising taxes to unreasonable levels due to irresponsible financial decisions being made by the school board. As a former school board member, I know how to prioritize spending on capital improvement projects and ongoing operational costs so that government lives within its means just like the voters have to do.”
Scott Hunter, who is helping with the effort as well, expressed his concerns that most voters will not turnout in late August,
“Tax increase votes are often held using special elections at odd times, with the sponsors counting on low awareness and turnout to get the vote passed,” Hunter said. “Basically, if they can get their friends to show up and vote, the tax usually sails through unnoticed by the majority of voters.”
The Stop The Home Tax PAC say that they intend to raise awareness about the upcoming election in order to make sure that the voters of Muscle Shoals have an opportunity to have their voices heard on this important issue. In addition, STHTPAC will be advocating for voters to reject the tax increase and protect the small business owners, homeowners, and renters in Colbert County.
School officials claim that they need more money to fund capital improvements.
City of Muscle Shoals voters go to the polls on August 28.
