The Gulf Shores and Orange Beach school systems are asking for their fair share of the 40% one-cent sales tax collected countywide.
Currently, only Baldwin County Public Schools receive funds from the tax. However, because the two cities contribute 17% of the $28 million the tax collects, the superintendents say it's only fair their schools get part of the tax proceeds.
"Our communities have made significant investments in our students and their future," said Orange Beach Superintendent Randy Wilkes. "Ensuring that education tax dollars benefit the children in our cities is the right and equitable course of action."
"This is an issue of fairness," added Gulf Shores Superintendent Matt Akin. "Every community in Baldwin County deserves its fair share of funding to support public education, including Gulf Shores and Orange Beach."
State Sen. Chris Elliott (R-Josephine) has introduced two bills to address the issue.
Senate Bill 135 (SB135) would distribute funds based on student population, and Senate Bill 136 (SB136) would distribute funds based on the tax collected within the municipality.
State Rep. Francis Holk-Jones (R-Foley) introduced the House version of the bills.
"The fact that there is a tax being collected in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores for educating kids that doesn't go to any of the kids in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores and going to what Superintendent [Eddie] Tyler says they are the kids that need it more, that really flew all over me," Elliott previously told 1819 News. "I mean, it is this Robinhood approach of, 'We say that these kids need it more, and so we're going to give it to them,' as opposed to, Let the people that are actually paying it keep it."
Wilkes and Akin said they appreciate the efforts of Elliott and Holk-Jones.
Baldwin County Schools Superintendent Eddie Tyler opposes the bills. He said the terms of the tax were negotiated years ago when Orange Beach and Gulf Shores separated from the county system. Further, he said he does not believe the legislation has enough support to pass.
"We will continue to oppose this effort and encourage the beach communities to raise additional taxes from within their own communities," Tyler previously stated.
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