By Fred Woods

Editor

The Lee County Commission met in a specially-called session last Friday to officially levy the recently-approved additional one-cent county sales tax and to approve a special event alcohol license for the Luke Bryan Farm Tour.

The sales tax, approved in a special referendum on Sept. 9 by a 60-40 margin, applies to unincorporated areas of the county and the town of Smiths Station. RDS, a private firm that collects tax revenues for Alabama counties and municipalities, has indicated, based on the prompt action by the commission, it can begin collecting the tax by Nov. 1. The first revenues will be returned to the county by Dec. 20.

County Administrator Roger Rendleman, however, cautioned commissioners that it might be March or April before a true picture of the tax yield is recognized, due to slow response by some county businesses responsible for collecting and remitting the tax. Rendleman has predicted a yield of $800,000 to $1 million annually from the one-cent addition.

The tax revenue will, by law, be split equally between the Lee County Recreation Board, for county recreation development and the Lee County Sheriff’s office for improved county patrolling and response time and improved county school security.

Commissioners also approved a special event alcohol license for the Luke Bryan Farm Tour, Oct. 2. This concert will be held on the Ingram property, 23470 US Hwy. 80, at Marvyn, the same venue that was used last year.

Lee County Sheriff’s deputies will provide security, with the promoter reimbursing the county for the overtime costs.