Special to The Times-Journal
FORT PAYNE -- Fort Payne residents have the opportunity to renew an at least 30-year-old, 7.5 mill property tax that supports the city’s public schools. The Fort Payne City Council has called for a special election on Tuesday, May 6, following a request from the Fort Payne City Board of Education to renew this tax.
This current 7.5 mill special school tax is authorized by Alabama Constitutional Amendment 279, and it can only be used for public school purposes in Fort Payne. This tax was last approved by Fort Payne voters on April 23, 1996. This is strictly a renewal vote for an existing tax that has been in place for at least 30 years, and it does not create any new taxes or increase the current tax rate.
If approved, the tax would continue at the same rate for another 30 years, becoming due and payable on October 1 in each of the years 2026 through 2055. The tax equals approximately 75 cents on each $100 worth of taxable property in the city.
Over the past three decades, this tax has helped fund various educational initiatives including: Wills Valley Elementary School, classroom technology like Promethean boards, iPads and Chromebooks for students, and transportation services for the school system. If the renewal fails, Fort Payne taxpayers will no longer pay the tax after it expires, and there will be a significant loss of revenue for the Fort Payne City Board of Education.
If the tax is renewed, the Fort Payne Board will use the revenue to continue its support of Fort Payne students with initiatives such as:
• $500,000 annual payments toward the bond for Little Ridge Intermediate School
• Science, technology, and engineering instructors from kindergarten through twelfth grade
• Curriculum coaches and interventionists throughout the school system
• Special Education Services
• The Fort Payne Career Academy
• Renovations to Fort Payne High School
The special election will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central Time at the VFW Hall in Fort Payne. All qualified residents of the city will be eligible to vote.
The ballot will ask voters whether the special ad valorem school tax should “continue to be levied and collected exclusively for public school purposes” at the current rate of 7.5 mills annually for 30 consecutive years.
Parents of students in the city school system as well as members of the community are urging support for the renewal. here is what some parents had to say:
“As a former educator in the Fort Payne City School system, I strongly encourage everyone to vote for the property tax renewal on May 6th. This is a tax that has been in place for 30 years, so we will not notice any changes as citizen taxpayers. However, if non-renewed, our FPCS will notice changes, and quite negative ones at that,” said Amanda Moses.
“Our schools need the revenue from this property tax renewal! This is in our hands as citizens of Fort Payne, and we have the ability to make a positive impact! I strongly encourage you to vote for this property renewal
Hall. Together, we can make a difference.”
“I was unaware of the importance of the Property Tax Renewal that the city will soon be voting on. There is no increase of cost to residents, just simply a renewal of the current amount. Without this property tax, our school system will not be able to make vital improvements to the high school, pay down on the bond for Little Ridge, STEM programs in our schools, special education and student interventions for reading and math.
This renewal is desperately needed to continue to grow Fort Payne City Schools. If it does not pass, cuts will have to be made that would negatively impact our school system. I have three students in Fort Payne City Schools, and the I’m thankful for the community’s investment in our children,” said Erin Hester.
“Renewing this tax is an investment in our children’s future and the strength of our community. For many years, it has provided essential funding for technology, transportation, and school improvements. Continuing this support will ensure that Fort Payne students have access to high- quality education, STEM programs, and career readiness opportunities for generations to come. A vote for renewal is a vote for progress and prosperity in our schools, our children and ultimately Fort Payne,” said FPCS parent Jess Landstreet Bates.
Some facts about renewing the tax
• Not a new tax: This is a renewal of the existing 7.5 mill property tax with no increase
• Timeline: If approved, the tax would continue for 30 years (2026-2055)
• Voting location: VFW Hall in Fort Payne, polls open 7am-7pm on Tuesday, May 6
• Current impact: Has helped fund Wills Valley Elementary School, technology, and
transportation
• Future funding: Would help pay for Little Ridge Intermediate School bond
($500,000/year) and support STEM education
• If rejected: A decrease in taxes but also a significant loss of revenue for Fort Payne City
Schools
