Baldwin County voters approve a mill to fund schools

Baldwin County voters approve a mill to fund schools

By Fran Thompson
Baldwin County voters were equally in favor of Republican U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore and retaining a one mill property tax to support Baldwin County schools during the Dec. 12 special election, with 62% of the voters in favor of the Republican candidate and the retention of the property tax for the next 30 years.
The approval ensures an additional $4-5 million in funds will remain in place every year for the Baldwin County and the newly formed Gulf Shores school systems, as Gulf Shores will receive a percentage of those funds for its students.
Baldwin County voted against retaining the 1 mill property tax during the presidential primary election in March of 2016.
The tax will help fund the county’s $60 million pay-as-you-go construction plan, whici is currently being funded through the continuation of a penny sales tax passed by the Baldwin County Commission earlier this year.
Baldwin County has already set aside funds for the construction of a 7th-12th grade public school on the corner of Canal Road and William Silvers Pkwy. (site pictured below) in Orange Beach. The City of Orange Beach is donating the $5-7 million property for the project that is expected to be completed by the beginning of the 2019-20 school year. O.B.’s City Council has also promised to make additional funds available for its school programs.
“This vote was about our efforts to restore confidence and this vote shows great confidence in Baldwin County Public Schools. That is a direct result of our teachers and employees who showed over the past few years how committed we are to making Baldwin better, even through tough times,’’ said ’’ said Baldwin Schools Superintendent Eddie Tyler following the vote. “I am so proud of them and at the same time, I couldn’t be more humbled at the response from the taxpayers who trust us, not only with their money but with their children and grandchildren.’’