Franklin County Commission approves placing 10 mill education tax renewal on November ballot

The Franklin County Commission approved three resolutions that will allow the proposed 30-year renewal of a 10 mill ad valorem school tax to be on all Franklin County ballots in the November 2, 2026, general election.

Franklin County Probate Judge Barry Moore said he contacted Election Systems of Alabama to confirm the resolutions would appear on the November ballot, which they did. The resolutions had to be approved at the August 17th meeting due to absentee voting that’s set to begin on September 9th.

Approval by the Franklin County Commission is the only way to get the proposed tax renewal on the ballot. The commission’s approval does not mean the tax was renewed. Instead, the commission’s approval of the resolution will allow Franklin County voters to decide whether to renew the 10 mill tax that school officials have described as ‘critical’ funding to both Franklin County Schools and Russellville City Schools.

“We’re very appreciative of Judge Moore and the Franklin County Commission for their support of the children of Franklin County and Russellville City Schools by choosing to allow the people’s voice to be heard on November 3rd on the proposed renewal and continuation of the current structured funding of our school systems,” RCS Superintendent Tim Guinn said.

“This is a very important decision for the people of Franklin County and we encourage everyone to exercise their Constitutional right to vote on this issue that affects the current and future educational opportunities for our children,” Guinn added.

Franklin County Schools Superintendent of Education Greg Hamilton said he’s optimistic the citizens of Franklin County will vote to continue supporting their public school systems by renewing the 10 mill tax.

“We appreciate the Franklin County Commission’s resolution allowing the 30-year renewal to appear on the November 3rd ballot,” Hamilton said. “Now it will be up to the citizens of Franklin County, who have traditionally shown support of our two school systems when given the choice, either on the 10 mill tax or the one cent sales tax. We’re hopeful Franklin County voters will approve a continuation of this educational tax just as it applies now.”

There will be two different versions of the tax renewal on Franklin County ballots, depending on where the voter lives. Russellville residents will consider a renewal of a 5.5 mill countywide tax along with a 4.5 mill city district tax.

Voters outside of the Russellville City limits will consider the renewal of the 5.5 mill countywide tax along with a 4.5 mill county district tax, so both end up totaling 10 mills.

Other agenda items approved by the commission at its August 17th meeting included:

—resignation of temporary employee Andy Soto in the Franklin County Highway Department.

—purchase order for four new dump trucks. Purchase order approved to get Highway Department in line to purchase the trucks and old trucks declared surplus property.

—resignation of Seth Ables as Corrections Officer/Dispatcher and approval to advertise for vacancy.

—soliciting bids for inmate medical services agreement at the Franklin County Jail. The current three year contract with Southern Health Partners will expire soon.

—reappointed Doug Hatton to the E911 Board.

The Franklin County Commission will hold its first budget meeting on August 24th at 9 a.m., in the Franklin County Annex, with a second meeting set for 1 p.m., August 25th.