Randy Garrison

Hartselle Enquirer

Hartselle voters overwhelmingly voted in support of keeping a 7.3 mill property tax to help fund Hartselle City Schools.

With unofficial results the ‘For” vote was 1,030 and the “Against” vote was 187. The “for” vote will not change the millage rate the citizens of Hartselle have been paying, the rate will stay exactly the same.

Even with a light turnout the vote was very much in favor of continuing the same level of property tax that was currently in place. The new municipal tax will replace an expiring district tax set to end in 2017. The entire county approved the tax in 1957 and again in 1987, while Hartselle citizens approved the new replacement municipal tax.

The 7.3 mills currently generate approximately $936,000 in local funds for the school system. The school system is able to use these funds to cover items in the budget that the state does not allocate funding for, such as money for athletic programs and the band, guidance counselors at all three elementary schools and the gifted programs at each school.

Hartselle Superintendent Dr. Vic Wilson said after the results came in, “I want to thank everyone in Hartselle for the show of trust with the vote. Hartselle City Schools work hard to provide an outstanding educational opportunity for all students; while maintaining a sound financial picture at the same time. This positive vote for the replacement tax will allow our school system to continue to meet the needs of the students of Hartselle.”