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Columbiana council approves increase in city sales tax to 5%
Summary
On Oct. 21 the City of Columbiana council adopted an ordinance raising the municipal sales tax from 4% to 5% after a second reading and roll-call vote; the ordinance clarifies collection rules for some school events and will take effect Feb. 1 after the Department of Revenue receives the ordinance.
The City of Columbiana on Oct. 21 voted to raise the municipal sales tax from 4% to 5% following a second reading and a roll-call vote.
Mayor Mary Mitchell conducted the second reading of a general tax ordinance that changes only section 1 for the sales-tax rate. The ordinance text notes the tax applies to "every person, firm, or corporation engaged in retail selling of any tangible personal property" within the city. The ordinance also specifies that sales tax collected by a public primary or secondary school on sporting-event tickets may be retained by the school.
During discussion the presiding official said the change was limited to the sales-tax rate and highlighted that schools that have been collecting sales tax on events would be permitted to retain that revenue. After a motion to introduce the ordinance and a second, the clerk called the roll. Council members voted in favor and the measure passed.
The mayor’s office said the ordinance should take effect Feb. 1 but cannot do so until 90 days after the Alabama Department of Revenue receives a copy of the ordinance.
What passed: an amendment to the city’s general tax ordinance raising the sales tax rate from 4% to 5%; the ordinance also codifies that certain school‑collected event taxes may be retained by the collecting school.
Next steps: City staff will file the ordinance with the Department of Revenue and update official city maps and tax records as required by state procedures.
