Voters keep one-cent sales tax in place for schools

Franklin County School Board members along with Franklin County Superintendent Gary Williams wait anxiously as the one-cent sales tax voting numbers roll in. | Nathan Strickland/FCT

Citizens of Franklin County have voiced their opinions and decided to keep the one-cent sales tax in support of Russellville City and Franklin County schools.

The unofficial final tally showed 4,244 votes for the tax and 3,649 votes against the tax.

The tax, which people who shop in Franklin County have been paying since it was implemented in January, will continue to be implemented for two years until the vote comes around again in 2012.

Superintendent of Franklin County Schools Gary Williams said he was on edge for a little while as the votes rolled into the Franklin County Courthouse Tuesday evening.

“At first I was nervous at the outcome of the numbers, but overall I think it went pretty well,” he said. “Now the tax isn’t a cure all but it will be a tremendous help.

We have received word that our October budget is going to be good and now this tax passing will just add to everything getting better. I appreciate the ones who came out and voted for the tax and would like to thank them for supporting our students.”

The one-cent tax is estimated to bring in about $2 million annually. The county school system receives 58 percent of that money while the remaining 42 percent is distributed to the Russellville city schools system. 

Officials said that each county school has made as many cut backs as possible and hope to stay afloat once the tax vote surfaces and the legislation looks over proration costs in the schools’ budget.

Belgreen principal Steve Pounders said he is happy to see the vote go through.

“I’m glad it turned out in favor of the tax,” he said. “I believe this tax is going to be a big help to our county schools. It will probably end up saving some teaching jobs that might have otherwise been in jeopardy.”