Autauga County residents voted against the proposed ad valorem tax increase for education on Tuesday. The increase, meant to stabilize the financial foundation of the county’s school system, would have provided a possible $7 million in additional funding annually to hire local teaching units, support staff, and security personnel, incentivize those going above and beyond, and renovate aging facilities.

Over 60% of the total 26,623 ballots cast were ‘No’ votes, according to unofficial results from the Alabama Secretary of State’s office.

“Obviously, we are disappointed,” said Autauga County Schools Superintendent Lyman Woodfin. “We set out to get a mandate from the people, one way or another, and based on the results, our citizens have spoken. Property taxes are not on the table, so it’s back to square one to give our students and teachers what they need.”

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“I want to reassure our students and our teachers. I know it feels like a gut punch, but we are going to figure it out. I will not rest; I will not stop looking. We are going to figure out what we have to do to give our students and teachers what they need.”

The Autauga County Board of Education will now decide the path forward following the decision by voters.

“I want to thank everyone for their involvement and passion for our community and its students,” said Billy Hollon, the board’s chairman. “Throughout this process, there have been meaningful conversations regarding our strengths and weaknesses as a school system and stakeholders’ vision for Autauga County Schools. We will use these conversations to develop a plan.”

The most recent property tax increase in Autauga County approved by voters was over 100 years ago when the newly-formed system had just begun.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten