FROM THE BIBB COUNTY COMMISSION

The residents of Bibb County have never had the opportunity to vote on the sales tax being given to the Bibb County Hospital

HISTORY OF HOSPITAL SALES TAX

By following the timeline of interactions between the Commission and Hospital attached hereto, one can easily see the Bibb County Commission has provided financial support over the years to ensure the citizens of Bibb County have a hospital and ambulance service available by providing the necessary funding for both services. In fact and more recently, the Commission has worked directly with Hospital officials since the beginning of 2015 to resolve this funding and service issue in a manner that will best benefit Bibb County residents. A presentation was made to the Hospital Board about the possibility of putting a cap on the amount of funding the hospital receives and letting all monies over the cap amount flow to the county to fund things such as road improvements and new industry and infrastructure of all kinds. This recommendation fell on deaf ears as the Hospital Board is unwilling to accept any type of reduction in sales tax.

It has been thirty (30) plus years since the non-profit corporation, Cahaba Valley, was established to operate an ambulance service. The hospital and non-profit has the same board members with the exception of two. There is no argument that by the two groups working together they have accomplished a great deal. They have constructed buildings, purchased property and other structures, and also created a large revenue source. This success demonstrates these entities no longer require or need the amount of sales tax they receive on an annual basis to remain viable.

IT IS NOW TIME for the Hospital to give back to the citizens by funding themselves and giving other aspects of county government an opportunity to grow. Issues such as roads and pothole repairs, as well as other infrastructure improvements, are all areas which desperately need additional funding. In sales taxes last year, the Bibb County Commission received $760,000 and the hospital received $1,100,000. In addition to the $1,100,000, the hospital also received an additional $96,000 for ambulance service. The unwillingness of the Hospital Board to accept less sales tax money exhibits the belief that additional facilities/capital improvements for the hospital are more important than any items residents may wish to be improved or simply maintained such as law enforcement or road concerns. Potholes and right-of-way maintenance are two areas which could greatly benefit from a redistribution of tax monies.

The Bibb County Commission believes residents should decide where you would like your tax dollars to be spent but, the Commission alone cannot provide you this opportunity. We believe redistribution will improve issues important to residents but truly desire the residents themselves make the decision on tax revenue currently appropriated to the hospital. A vote on this issue must be authorized by the Alabama Legislature. In order to allow a vote, Bibb County’s Legislative Delegation must introduce and pass legislation to allow a vote to redistribute tax monies. Our local delegation, consisting of Honorable Cam Ward, Senator, as well as Honorable April Weaver and Ralph Howard, both Representatives, must know it is the desire of Bibb County residents that they be allowed to vote on this issue.

The bottom line is in order for the Commission to keep up with the needs in the county, we need additional revenue. The only way to accomplish this is to go up on taxes or to redistribute the amount of taxes being received. The Commission believes it is best to redistribute taxes rather than ask you, the citizens, for additional taxes! If you agree, please respond by signing this petition.