Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon believes an argument over the distribution of a sales tax for schools in Baldwin County is politically motivated.
A portion of the countywide tax (40% of one cent) intended for education capital currently goes to the Baldwin County School System. However, Kennon and officials in Gulf Shores believe that since they have formed their own school districts, they should have a share in the revenue stream.
State Sen. Chris Elliott (R-Josephine) and State Rep. Francis Holk-Jones (R-Foley) introduced legislation to change the distribution of the tax, but it was unsuccessful in 2025.
Kennon said on FM Talk 106.5's "The Jeff Poor Show" that although he doesn't think either side will get their way, he believes all parties should come to the table with a compromise.
"It is frustrating," Kennon told Poor. "Again, I think you've heard me say this from a conservative perspective, fairness should be coming into play, not what you can bully your way or a takeaway, and I'm very concerned that some of our representatives have strictly made decisions based on one side of the story and what gets them votes and gets them back in office."
Kennon said the perception that Orange Beach is a wealthy county that can afford educational capital on its own is the opposite of a conservative stance.
"That's not a conservative principle," Kennon continued. "That has nothing to do with what's right and what's wrong."
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