Montgomery County Commission tables plan to divert part of one-cent sales tax from public schools

The Montgomery County Commission tabled a proposal to divert a portion of sales tax revenue from Montgomery Public Schools at their Jan. 6 meeting.  

The county commission was met with a packed room of teachers and parents opposing the resolution. The Montgomery Public Schools system launched a “Save Our Penny” campaign when the idea was announced, arguing that the diversion would force them to cut staff and services to students.

The change, championed by Montgomery County Commission Chairman Doug Singleton, was first discussed at the county commission’s Dec. 16 meeting. The proposal called for redirecting 10% of the sales tax that now goes to Montgomery Public Schools and Pike Road Schools to the county commission.

Taking 10% from the school systems would cost the systems about $4.5 million the first year, but Singleton said Montgomery Public Schools would still get $33 million and Pike Road Schools would get $3.5 million annually after the change.

Singleton said the county commission needs more funds to pay for infrastructure, especially for Jackson Hospital and a data center for the Montgomery County Sheriff.

Local schools would eventually share in the area’s economic growth thanks to $4.1 billion in economic impact over the last four years, Singleton said. Residents will spend more money, particularly for housing, which will help increase the ad valorem taxes that can be used for education, he said.

“Inflation will tell you that with everything inflating that the sales tax is going to go up regardless,” Singleton said during the information session. “So, it’s a win for all of us involved.”

Montgomery Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Zikeyous Byrd said that while he understands the county’s needs, the area’s schools are the backbone of the community.

“Here is the truth that we simply cannot ignore: None of those goals can succeed without strong schools,” Byrd said. “Montgomery Public Schools produces the workforce that sustains our hospital, staffs law enforcement, powers our businesses and drives this local economy.”

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He went on to say that the sales tax generates approximately $40 million for the county’s school systems and criticized the loss of the $4 million from the schools.

“That loss is not theoretical,” Byrd told the commission. “It means fewer teachers, fewer counselors, fewer career programs and reduced student services. And it slows the momentum of the very key initiatives that will transform our district and produce economic mobility for our entire county.”

Later in the meeting, the county commission voted to allocate more money to the bankrupt Jackson Hospital and Clinic.

Following a failed vote on Dec. 16 to allocate more money for the bankrupt Jackson Hospital and Clinic, the commission moved to approve it on Tuesday.

At the Dec. 16 meeting, the vote failed when it ended in a tie. Commissioners Isiah Sankey and Daniel Harris opposed the resolution, citing misgivings about funding the hospital without their community partners pitching in. Singleton abstained because he has a relative that works there.

During that meeting Sankey clarified that he was still open to additional funding.

With the latest action, the county shares a 50/50 split of $15 million. The county commission and the Montgomery City Council will each allocate $7.5 million to the hospital over the next three years. 

The Montgomery County Commission meets on the first and third Tuesday of the month at 101 South Lawrence Street. Information sessions begin at 10 a.m. followed by the formal meeting.

Livestreamed meetings can be seen on the commission’s YouTube and Facebook pages.