Grassroots Group In Favor Of TCS Property Tax Tops Opposition Fundraising Ahead Of Vote

TUSCALOOSA, AL — A Tuscaloosa grassroots group has made substantial fundraising gains in the lead-up to the Sept. 24 property tax referendum that, if passed, would provide additional funding to Tuscaloosa City Schools.

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As Patch previously reported, the Committee to Secure the Future — headed up by teacher and former Verner Elementary Principal Beth Curtis and former Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama Board Chair Michele Coley — says TCS has not seen an increase in ad valorem funding in nearly four decades.

On the other side of the issue is a political action committee (PAC) funded primarily by business interests with substantial rental property holdings. Indeed, the Stop The Big Tax PAC has received a great deal of funding from local firms such as Advantage Realty Group, Sherrill Realty Co., The Builders Group, Capstone Properties, Harris & Plott LLC and others.

In its latest financial disclosure filed on Friday, the Committee to Secure the Future reported $80,184.77 in cash on hand for the advocacy group. Over the most recent weekly fundraising period on the eve of the election, the group reported raising just short of $18,000 — almost exclusively coming in the form of smaller individual donations.

Perhaps the most notable donation in support of the Committee to Secure the Future was a $2,500 contribution from Regina Byrne — the wife of University of Alabama Director of Athletics Greg Byrne.

Over the most recent weekly filing period, the group also reported spending just south of $7,000 on advertising.

"Our campaign to secure Tuscaloosa’s future is made up of teachers, business owners, your friends, and neighbors," Curtis told Patch. "The people donating to this effort care about our children’s education and our community."

Four businesses also contributed to the Committee to Secure the Future during this time:

• Premier Service Co. — $1,000
• Kelly Services — $5,000
• Brewer Realty, LLC — $1,000
• WINSHIP, LLC — $2,500

On the other side of the issue, the Stop The Big Tax PAC reported only one new contribution that met the reporting thresholding during this weekly filing period — a $1,000 donation from Northport-based ALAWEST-AL, LLC.

Listing Warrior Tractor & Equipment founder Gene Ray Taylor as its registered agent in business entity records filed with the Alabama Secretary of State's Office, ALAWEST-AL states that the nature of its business deals with purchasing, managing, selling and leasing property.

While the Committee to Secure the Future topped the Stop The Big Tax PAC in terms of the most recent fundraising period, the opposition group dwarfed the committee's spending in September, reporting that it has doled out $17,247.50 for advertising, consulting and other expenses.

Stop The Big Tax PAC contracted with Kansas-based Remington Research Group for consulting and reported a $6,000 payout on Sept. 12.

As Patch previously reported, if the property tax increase is passed, it would result in the city's property tax millage rate increasing by up to 11.5 mills. If the measure is voted down at the ballot box, TCS says it will be required to make additional staffing cuts, including reducing up to 50 educators.

The current millage rate — unchanged since 1986 — for homeowners in Tuscaloosa is 51.5 mills, of which TCS receives 15.5 mills, plus an additional 1.8 mill. If passed, the city's total millage rate would increase by roughly 22%.

TCS has also said it would be forced to remain stagnant on pay for teachers if the measure fails, which could decrease the school system's ability to ensure future funding of essential safety needs.

TCS Superintendent Mike Daria explained earlier this summer that the proposed increase would generate around $17.25 million a year starting in 2025, which would then be used to fund school safety, employee recruiting/retention and expanded programs for students.

If passed, TCS says the additional funding will be used for the following initiatives:

• Guaranteed pre-K for all.
• An officer in every school, all day.
• Year-round art and music in elementary schools.
• Drivers education, financial literacy classes in high school.
• More reading/math interventionists for struggling learners.
• Rigorous academics, including expanded AP classes and expanded dual-enrollment.
• Expanded career and technical education.
• Retaining and recruiting educators through competitive pay.
• Updating safety technology.

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