When voters in Madison County go to the polls for the special Senate election in December, there will be more on the ballot than just that one race.

The Madison County Commission on Wednesday approved a special election regarding a renewal of property taxes to benefits the county's three public school systems.

The commissioners stressed that the ballot issue is not a new tax but simply the continuation of a long-standing tax for schools.

The Senate special election will be Dec. 12 and the ad valorem tax renewals will also be on the ballot.

"The emphasis of renewal is key," Madison County Commission Chair Dale Strong said. "Education where it is today, you definitely can't go backward. Renewal is the word."

Huntsville City, Madison City and Madison County school systems will be the beneficiaries.

Madison City Superintendent Robby Parker, Madison County Superintendent Matt Massey and Huntsville City Deputy Superintendent of Finance Bob Hagood along with school board members and other administration officials all attended the commission meeting in support of the tax renewal.

According to school officials, Huntsville City receives $27-28 million annually through ad valorem taxes while Madison County receives about $14.3 million and Madison City $6.5 million.

Woody Sanderson, the board attorney for Madison City who is working with all three systems on the tax renewals, told the commission that this is the first renewal since 1991 and the school systems were seeking to take advantage of the special election as a cost savings.

Frank Barger, elections administrator for the Madison County Probate office, said that attaching the tax renewal special election to the Senate ballot would cost about $36,500 and be about 50 percent less than if the special election were held next year.

The current ad valorem taxes remain on the books through 2020. If the renewals are approved by voters, that window will extend until 2044.

The renewal had strong support from the commission.

"It is paramount that this be done," Commissioner Roger Jones said.