PH Minutes 2018-05-03
PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
PUBLIC HEARING
MAY 3, 2018
6:41 P.M.
The Prattville City Council held a Public Hearing on Thursday, May 3, 2018, at 6:41 p.m. in the
Council Chambers at City Hall.
Council Present Striplin opened with the following comments:
Generally the format of a Public Hearing provides for a petitioner to present a position so that
those in favor have time to make their supporting comments and those against have time for
their comments as well. At this time we do not have a traditional petition and thus the traditional
rules are not necessarily applicable. Greg Gray representing the Prattville/Autauga School
Committee will serve as moderator to some extent and will possibly call on committee
members, or whoever he deems appropriate, to answer questions from the audience.
Mr. Gray stated that he looked forward to hearing everyone’s questions. He invited the following
individuals to introduce themselves:
Former Autauga County Commissioner and Local Business owner Kyle Glover. Mr.
Glover expressed his love for the community. Mr. Glover thinks it is prudent to find the funding
for a study on the school system.
Autauga County Economic Development Director Amy Brabham. Mrs. Brabham stated
that education and economic development are the most important attractors to this community.
Mrs. Brabham stressed the importance of making the school system a community topic.
City of Prattville Councilman Jerry Starnes. Councilor Starnes stated that he is proud of
the current school system but pointed out that it is one of the lowest funding systems in the
state. Councilor Starnes explained that the committee no longer meets with the Autauga
County Board of Education or Autauga County Commission because of a lack of cooperation.
Having a City School system would allow for the City to capture part of the $3.5 million going
to the Elmore County Board of Education currently. The goal is to either fund the system we
have now or create a new one. The committee has decided that they need an updated study
in order to make a decision.
City of Prattville Mayor Bill Gillespie, Jr. Mayor Gillespie is very concerned with the future
of Prattville which is the students. The Mayor welcomed thoughts and ideas from the public.
City of Prattville Councilman Robert Strichik. Councilor Strichik stated that a strong
education system improves the quality of life of any community. Councilor Strichik commended
the Autauga County Board of Education, Superintendent Spence Agee and the educators for
the great job that they do with the little funding they have.
City of Prattville Councilman Marcus Jackson. Councilor Jackson works for the Board
of Education and has been part of the Prattville/Autauga School Committee for about a year.
He stated it is unfortunate that teachers have to bear the burden of making up for the lack of
funding by spending their own money in their class rooms in order to make sure our students
are properly educated. Education is the most important topic for this community and the future
of our students.
Mr. Gray concurred that education is the most important project and quoted a friend of his
saying “People will drive over bad roads to get to good schools, but the reverse is not true.”
The group opened the floor up for questions.
Dr. Jerry Cimis questioned procedure noting that this meeting was supposed to have been a
Public Hearing which would have allowed him 3 minutes to make public comments.
Council President Striplin explained that the meeting had been modified.
Dr. Cimis asked why the Prattville/Autauga School Committee was asking the City Council to
fund a study for the school system.
Mr. Gray responded that the City would need the information that a study would provide to
make a determination of what route they would take. Mr. Gray suggested that the City had
three options:
1. To invest in the current school system
2. To create a Metro School System
3. To create a City School System
Debbie Salvador noted that Councilor Starnes said he had been waiting on the Autauga County
Board of Education and Autauga County Commission to “do something” and she asked what
it is they he wanted them to do. Mrs. Salvador asked if the Board of Education or Commission
had the authority to raise taxes.
Mr. Gray replied that the Commission does have that authority and suggested that the role of
Board of Education would be to ask the Commission for that funding.
Mr. Glover commented that the Commission has the authority to raise Ad Valorem tax up to 3
mills without a vote. He believed that had already been done once and was not sure that it
could be done again without going to a vote.
A guest noted that the presentation given during the Work Session earlier stated that Autauga
County ranked # 50 out of 50 school systems. Mr. Burns asked what were the top 3 criteria
used to determine that.
Mr. Gray responded the committee has not done its own independent study and that he would
have to look at the references listed in the presentation.
The same guest asked if Mr. Gray had an idea of what information could have been used to
make that determination.
Mr. Gray responded that some possibilities are graduation rates, scholarships and trade
opportunities.
Jon Lee Finnegan asked for the names of all of the Prattville/Autauga School Committee
members.
Mr. Gray explained that they would have to make public that information of their own accord.
A guest asked what the Ad Valorem would need to be raised to in order to properly fund the
current system.
Mr. Gray speculated that 20 to 30 mills would be on the top side. An increase in the millage is
usually done over several years. Mr. Gray reiterated that they would need a new study to
determine how much more is actually needed.
A guest asked what studies had been done on the current systems revenue stream, and stated
that the revenue to fund the system has not kept up with inflation. As a MDA she offered her
services to the committee to do that research.
Marvin Gentry asked if they did form a City School System would the City recover the $3.5
million currently going to Elmore County Board of Education.
Mr. Gray stated that the money follows the student. He added that he was not sure if they would
recover that entire amount, but he believes it would be a large portion of it.
Mr. Gentry asked who votes to raise the Ad Valorem Tax and Mr. Gray responded that the
citizens do.
Mrs. Salvador asked if there would need to be a school in the Elmore County portion of the City
if there were a City System.
Council Starnes responded that yes.
Mrs. Salvador asked if they would also need to build a high school since Prattville High School
is outside of City Limits.
Councilor Starnes responded that they would need to have the study to see if that would be
feasible.
Dr. Cimis pointed out that the City could spend $100,000.00 on another study and it could end
up collecting dust like the 2004 study. Dr. Cimis suggested that it would be more reasonable
to take that same $100,000.00 and fund a PR Campaign to educate the public of the need to
increase funding for the current system, then hold an election to raise the Ad Valorem Tax.
One guest asked if the City did create a City System would they also have to create a separate
Board of Education and Mr. Gray responded yes.
Richard Harrison stated that you cannot put a price on education and offered to help in any
way possible.
Ann Boutwell, Historian for the Autauga County Heritage Association, shared some historical
information. The Autauga County Commission has been historically reluctant to fund the school
system. The last time the Commission voluntarily increased ad valorem tax was in 1921 when
it was raised to 7 mills. It has been increased since then to 10 mills but only because it was
mandated by the state to have a minimum of 10 mills.
Council President Striplin thanked all for their attendance and questions.
ADJOURN:
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned at 7:40
p.m.
APPROVED:
___________________________
Cathy Dickerson
City Clerk
___________________________
Albert Striplin, President
Prattville City Council
SUBMITED BY:
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Jamie Ferrari
Assistant City Clerk