Raise in Sales Tax (Huntsville, Madison: 2013, health insurance, how much)

[elephant08]

I just looked at my Target receipt and found a 9% sales tax in Madison. When did it go up? I think I'll keep making the drive to Huntsville.

[Reactionary]

The City expects you to Shop Madison First! IMO people will consider their pocketbooks first and make major purchases outside the City, further weakening the tax base. Madison already has a reputation for being difficult for businesses, adding higher prices won't help.

The increase makes the sales tax rate for people shopping in Madison a full cent over what shoppers in Huntsville have to pay. The new sales tax rate for Madison will be 9%. Huntsville’s is 8%. The tax increase will take effect on October 1, 2013.

The tax increase is projected to bring in over $2 million annually. Several of the council members, including Mayor Troy Trulock, stressed the extra revenue is crucial for implementing the wish list items from the Capital Improvements Projects (CIP) plan. It’s a wish list city officials have said they want to tackle over the next few years. It includes road projects, expansion of recreational facilities, continued downtown renovations, expansion at the library and several other projects.

I like Jackie Reed's comment:

“You’re putting the burden on the people – you’re going to lose your tax base,” Jackie Reed told the council members.

...At the end of the discussion, the city council approved the increase. Council members Klein and Clark voted against the increase.

Sales tax increase will help fund CIP wish list | Madison Weekly News

[elephant08]

Thanks. Yup will be shopping in Huntsville. It's kinda sad that parts of Northern California is cheaper than Alabama....

[CoreLysium]

Of interest might be that Home Depot in Madison is actually in Huntsville, as is Outback. I'm not sure how much the Huntsvilleness catches out there. Kohl's is in HSV also.

[dijkstra]

Walmart on 72 is also in Huntsville. If you are a Madison resident, you are probably already doing a lot of your business in Huntsville and it wouldn't be very difficult to take pretty much all of your business there.

Reactionary hit the nail on the head. Madison is well known for not being business friendly and that is why big businesses try to build in the Huntsville city limits. If Madison isn't careful, it is going to find itself in a pretty bad position in the not so distant future as its population ages.

[RegaeBusRider]

It's Madison people! Poorly planned city and now highest taxes in valley. Guess that's why I don't live there.

[CoreLysium]

I don't like driving into the sun twice a day, that's why I don't live there anymore.

(I never did. I had a Madison mailing address twice abut both times I lived in Huntsville.)

[Dirt Grinder]

I went to the CIP link on the Madison web page to see what will be funded by this. And what I get is...

We're sorry, but there is not a web page matching your entry.

[elephant08]

I ought to write the mayor's office and tell him I want my vote cancelled out!! Only a dream.. only a dream...

[harry chickpea]

meh. Take it out of the savings you are getting on health insurance.