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Gadsden commissioners approve placing half‑cent school capital outlay surtax on 2026 ballot
Summary
The county board voted 5‑0 to approve a resolution that allows the school board to submit a request to the state to put a one‑half cent capital outlay surtax before county voters on Nov. 3, 2026, estimated to raise about $2.36 million annually for facilities improvements.
The Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday to approve a resolution putting a one‑half cent school capital outlay surtax on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot.
County legal staff explained that the school board had already adopted a parallel resolution asking the county to place the surtax before voters; under state law the local governing body must then transmit the request to the Department of State so the statutory process can proceed. County counsel told the board that approving the county resolution would trigger a fixed timeline for state notifications.
Assistant Superintendent for Support Services Sylvia Jackson (speaker 18) and other school representatives urged the board to allow the referendum, saying the district needs additional dollars for upgrading and modernizing aging facilities, reducing portable classrooms and improving athletic and accessibility improvements. Jackson said Gadsden County had been the only district in the state that failed to pass a similar surtax in the prior cycle and pledged more intensive community outreach to explain how the funds would be used.
County attorney noted the board must transmit the resolution to the state within 10 days once approved to meet statutory timelines for a 2026 ballot. Commissioner Green moved approval; the board voted 5‑0 to adopt the resolution authorizing the referendum.
The county’s materials estimate the surtax would generate about $2,358,751 annually during the surtax period if approved by voters. Commissioners asked the school district to prepare a public education plan and facility‑level spending list for community outreach before the election.
