By Michael Butler

Elmore County continues to grow at a rapid rate. The estimated population currently sits at over 92,000.

The Elmore County Commission launched “Enhance Elmore” to respond to growth and avoid adverse effects on quality of life.

“We’re adding about 72 citizens to Elmore County every month,” Commissioner Brad Davis said.

To help with funding, the county has adopted a levelized sales tax outside of municipalities.

“Taxes went to 9.5 percent,” said Davis. “It doesn’t affect groceries or gas.”

A tag fee increase of $25 is also being applied. That amount will increase by $1 each year afterwards. In addition, a rental tax is being added.

“It’s not on homes or cars,” Davis noted. “It’s on rental equipment, like a trencher or backhoe.”

The levelized county tax is expected to bring in $3.9 million per year. The car tag hike is estimated at $2.66 million more per year. The rental tax is about $750,000. The average increase per family is about $16 per month.

Funding will be earmarked for infrastructure and economic development. Dollars will be applied to judicial and administrative space, fire department funding and road and bridge projects.

“A jail is going to be voted on in November. It’s a constitutional amendment. There is a property assessment, vape and tobacco tax on one voting measure.”

Municipalities in the county no longer house their own inmates. The Elmore County Jail in Wetumpka has taken over the entire load. The facility was built for 242, but normal occupancy is over 300.

If passed, the property assessment breaks down to $150 per year for residences and $300 annually for commercial properties. An additional $25 per land parcel will also be applied.

“That’s $4.5 million,” added Davis on the annual income. “85 percent goes toward public safety and 15 percent to the county fire service.”

The tobacco/vape excise tax would draw another $960,000 every year with 70 percent going to public health and safety and the remainder toward county fire services.

Davis said the extra dollars could be a gamechanger for local fire departments.

“That’s important. If they’re not fully funded, then ISO ratings could drop. If it drops, you’re going to go up $200 per year. We’re going to have to address the issues that are in front of us.”