By Sarah Stephens
Elmore Autauga News
Editor’s Note: This is the first of what we expect to be multiple informational articles concerning the Elmore County Commission’s plan that was unveiled Monday.
Monday, the County Commission unveiled the Enhance Elmore plan to the public, prior to their regular meeting. It is just the first public introduction to a plan designed to provide for funding major and necessary projects in the coming years.
No one can question the growth to Elmore County in even the past 10 years. At issue is the fact that taxes and fees to cover projects have not seen an increase, and that is causing major issues with many facets of the county’s operation.
What is Enhance Elmore?
A program designed to provide the citizens of Elmore County with the services and quality of life desired while addressing the county’s continued growth.
More specifically, the increase in population means more people using our court system, the jail. our roads and bridges, and or law enforcement (public safety) and medical (public health) services.
Why is Enhance Elmore needed?
Keeping up with the demand on services provided by the County costs money. Elmore County has the lowest property tax in the State and one of the lowest in the nation.
Currently, general operating funds don’t have the capacity to fund large projects. No current funding is available to construct a new and expanded jail, remodel the Judicial building to accommodate for two new circuit judges set to be in office in later 2026, expand our public safety and public health services to keep pace with our population needs, and adequately maintain and improve our transportation infrastructure to address growth needs. If the current level of services is to be continued or improved upon, additional revenue will be needed.
Enhance Elmore funds will be allocated to these four categories of services and include an annual reporting aspect to ensure accountability of the funding:
• Public Health and Safety
• County Fire Service
• Infrastructure which includes road, bridges, buildings, utilities and broadband
• Economic Development and Workforce Development
One of the biggest obstacles for the county currently is the realization that the current Elmore County Jail and Judicial building is not meeting the current needs and certainly cannot handle continued and expected growth to the county. Add to that, public safety projects that need additional funding.
The jail itself is chronically overcrowded and must be replaced. Of the funding needed to remedy current problems and plan for the future, this is by far the largest cost of the overall plan, which is an estimated $82 million.
Jail Replacement and Expansion – The current jail facility is 30 years old and was initially built to hold 242 inmates at any given time. It lacks the ability to be affordably renovated. With the Enhance Elmore project, it would be doubled in capacity to 480 inmates plus have the ability to reach 600 inmates if needed.
This plan would also provide additional annual funding to the County Fire Departments. It has been 20 years since the fire departments have seen an increase in revenue from assessments of structures. Historically, no assessment has been collected from land only parcels while at the same time our fire departments respond to grass and wildland fires often.
Also included is a $14.2 million administrative addition to the Judicial Complex to accommodate the Sheriff’s Department growth, jail expansion, and Circuit Clerk.
Last but not least, is a $6.4 Million renovation of the Judicial Complex to accommodate two new Circuit Judges. This will increase the number of judges from three to five and includes moving the Circuit Clerk’s Office out to regain courtrooms in the same secure building.
How is Enhance Elmore Funded?
The program is funded through seven (7) funding mechanisms. The County Commission will be requesting the state legislature to grant the Commission authorization to levy five (5) measures through local legislation and requesting two (2) measures be considered as local constitutional amendments by the voters of Elmore County.
The five (5) local legislation measures being proposed are:
1. Levelized Sales Tax of 9.5% countywide;
2. $25.00 Assessment on Vehicle and Boat tags;
3. $100.00 Court Fee;
4. $100.00 Booking Fee;
5. Levelized Rental Tax of 9.5% countywide.
The two (2) local constitutional amendments to be considered by the voters of Elmore County are:
1. Assessment on property ($25/ yr land only, $150/yr on residential parcels and $300/ yr on commercial parcels;
2. Tobacco and Vape Tax of 4.5% countywide.
Quick Facts on the Residential Assessment and Tag Fee
• Current Assessment on Each Residential Structure is $50/yr.
• Proposed Assessment on each Residential Structure will include an additional $150/yr.
• Current plus proposed Assessments would cost a homeowner $200 per year or $16.67 Per Month.
• Average homeowner with two (2) vehicles would see a $200 increase per year due to Enhance Elmore
In future articles we will hear specific issues that our current officials are dealing with, and why they believe Enhance Elmore will benefit everyone for necessary services now and into the future.
