Russell County officials ask Legislature for option to impose countywide sales tax to fund school facility upgrades

Russell County officials and community members asked the Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee to allow Russell County voters to decide whether to impose a countywide retailer sales tax of up to 1% to finance school construction, remodeling, capital improvements and maintenance.

Amelia, speaking for the committee staff, explained that Senate Bill 223 would authorize Russell County to submit a proposition to county electors to impose a countywide retailer sales tax of up to 1% and to pledge that revenue to finance attendance centers or other district facilities for school districts in the county. Amelia said the tax would expire once the authorized costs are paid and that the bill’s text would allow the county to retain and expend the revenue solely for the pledged purposes. She also noted the bill…