MADISON, AL - In a 6-1 vote Monday night, the Madison City Council passed a resolution requesting legislative authorization for a special election to increase the city's ad valorem tax by an additional 8 mills to provide money to build a second high school. The election would be limited to Madison residents if it is passed by the State Legislature.

A packed council chambers heard from more than a dozen people, most opposing the resolution.

"I'm just tired of being taxed," said Madison business owner John Cunningham. "Over half of everything I make is taxed. It's hitting me twice. We have great schools and we want to keep it that way, but we don't control growth and that what is driving all the other issues such as roads, drainage and schools."

One resident, Bob Lee, said if the resolution passes, "There's going to be another tea party. It's just not going to fly." Several residents asked the council to hold off on the vote until they could have more information on the property tax referendum.

But Madison Mayor Paul Finley said he had heard from many other people who weren't in attendance but favor raising property taxes over the half-cent sales tax that went into effect in January.

"I was a little surprised (at the opposition)," said Finley. "What will be critical is the information on what's in place now with the sales tax and what would take place for the property tax to be voted on. We will do everything we can to get the proper information out before Madison residents vote on the bill."

Some who spoke questioned the wisdom of moving forward with a resolution with the economy in such bad shape.

Council president Bill Holtzclaw said he "fundamentally can't stay in the way of people having the right to vote."

Madison School Superintendent Dee Fowler agreed.

"This is giving the people the opportunity to vote," said Fowler. "It will allow us to continue education with the operating cost at the current level we are operating the school system."

School board president Ray White said this was just "the next step in the process."

The council will now take the resolution to local legislators to see if the special election will get on the ballot this fall.

Council member Tim Cowles cast the lone dissenting vote, although he said he had planned to vote for the resolution until he learned that it can't include the sunset clause, which would take away the half-cent sales tax if the property tax is passed.

"Not being able to have the sunset clause really bothered me," said Cowles. "I didn't want to vote for a tax in perpetuity. I don't want 16 years from now the council saying they didn't vote to rescind it (sales tax)."