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Saint Clair County commission votes to put 15‑mill Odenville school tax on November ballot
Summary
The commission adopted Resolution 2026‑35 to call an election on a proposed 15‑mill property tax for the Odenville school attendance zone; county attorney and school officials explained legal rules that the revenue must remain in the district and the tax would not take effect until October 2027 if voters approve.
The Saint Clair County Commission voted to adopt Resolution 2026‑35, calling a November ballot for a proposed 15‑mill property tax in the Odenville school attendance district.
School officials, represented at the meeting by the county board’s attorney and the local superintendent, told commissioners the petition and a board resolution were submitted to the commission so the county — which is the taxing authority — could place the measure on the ballot. "We accepted that petition, and we passed a resolution there with the board to pursue a 15 mil property tax," the superintendent said, asking the commission to act.
County attorney John Ray explained the legal framework cited by presenters: "The law requires all of the funds generated from the tax to be spent only in the district from which it’s assessed," he said, adding the constitutional amendment governing the mechanism also prevents the county board of education from reducing its appropriations to a district because that district has passed a local tax.
Commissioners pressed on timing and mechanics. The attorney and county staff clarified that even if voters approve the tax in November, the county must assess the levy in its regular February assessment cycle and collections would not begin until October 2027. Commissioners also discussed how the mill rate applies to assessed value rather than appraised value, and that ad valorem taxes apply to real property and certain other property measures such as vehicle tags.
Chair called the motion to approve Resolution 2026‑35 and the commission carried it by voice vote. The resolution, as presented, instructs the commission to place the question on the November general election ballot; the election date and ballot language will be handled according to county election procedures and the resolution filed with the clerk.
The next procedural steps identified at the meeting were for county staff to include the resolution in the minutes and election paperwork and for the county to perform the assessment action in the February cycle if voters approve. No fiscal estimates of projected revenue were included in the presentation; commissioners asked staff to follow up on those numbers as the process continues.
