Council opposed to changing development funding

By Staff
Jonathan Willis
The Russellville City Council passed a resolution Monday night in opposition to a House bill that would move Franklin County's severance tax funds from economic development to road repairs.
The move comes a few days after the county commission voted to support Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow's bill, which would divert the county's severance tax to road repairs.
The severance tax, which is comprised of funds from sand and gravel mining in the state, has been earmarked for economic development in Franklin County since the tax was implemented in 2004. In all other Alabama counties the money is used for road repairs.
However, the county commission and local industrial boards had the funds set up at that time as a way of funding the Franklin County Development Authority.
Without that funding development authority officials will be limited in their ability to market the county to new industries.
The move comes at a time when the city of Russellville and five local banks, as well as the development authority, are working towards the completion of a new industrial spec building.
"To cease that funding at this point in time would not be very timely for the city because of the spec building we are working on," said Mayor Troy Oliver.
"We are not supporting doing away with that funding."
The resolution unanimously passed by the council states that "the Franklin County Development Authority is the only agency in Franklin County actively marketing, promoting and recruiting industry for Franklin County."
State Sen. Roger Bedford has said that he is also opposed to the bill and does not expect the bill to be passed into legislation.