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Baldwin Referendum Vote Looming

4 views · Published 14 April 2015 · 1:52 · Indexed 13 October 2026

Channel: NBC 15 · 2015 · News & Politics

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BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WPMI) There's less than two weeks until voters will head to the polls and decide whether to approve an 8-mill property tax increase that will fund a capital improvements plan for the Baldwin County School System. If the increase is approved, the property tax rate in Baldwin County will go up from 12 to 20-mills. 

School system leaders argue that that number is still lower than those in the neighboring and comparable counties. 

In Mobile County, the property tax rate is 21.5 mills. It jumps to 29.5 within the city limits of Mobile and Prichard.  

"This is our one chance to build the buildings we need for the growth that has been predicted and we see it coming, we watch it every single day," said Superintendent Robbie Owen. 

As it gets closer to the vote, voices of opponents seem to get louder. 

"This is a vote for 30 years, who knows what the public school system will be like in 30 years," said John Howard, who represents the Educate Baldwin Now website. 

Residents who have spoken out against this property tax increase say they have various reason to do so, including their belief that the school system already gets enough revenue. 

School board leaders, on the other hand, say they have thoroughly outlined the financial needs and struggles that the school system is facing. 

"Even with the sales tax added, the equivalent and of our total amount is still less than in the counties we compare ourselves to, being the closest and value education in the same way in Alabama," said Owen. 

The vote is scheduled for March 31st.

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