Northport To Consider $100K For City School System Due Diligence

NORTHPORT, AL — The Northport City Council on Monday will consider applying $100,000 in unallocated 2022 sales tax revenue to be put toward due diligence work as city officials explore the possibility of forming their own city school system.

Click here to subscribe to our free daily newsletter and breaking news alerts.

The unallocated revenue, if approved, would be pulled from the city's Northport First Fund, which consists of revenue generated by the city's 1-cent sales tax.

The measure was first approved by the Council's Finance Committee on Feb. 21.

ALSO READ: What's At Stake As Northport Looks To Split From TCSS

This comes after the Northport Council in early February approved a facilities and demographics study for the different properties it aims to take over in the event the secession effort is successful.

As Patch previously reported, this particular study was not to exceed $50,000 as the city contracted with Criterion Consulting, LLC — a firm that has also done work with other municipalities in Alabama looking to break away from their respective county school systems

The process of splitting from the Tuscaloosa County School System has been a slow one, even in its purely conceptual phase, as city leaders suss out the details and complicated financials of such a large-scale undertaking.

Patch reported the initial feasibility study ultimately concluded that Northport has the means to start and sustain its own school district, which would have an estimated annual operating budget of $54 million. This number is strictly hypothetical and has been met with a range of skepticism from those opposed to the decision.

COLUMN: The Separatists & The School System

The findings were received with mixed reactions from those in the community, with many detractors arguing that the city paid a firm to tell it what it wanted to hear, given the abundant vocal support for secession.

On the other hand, supporters have underscored the added input it would provide city residents in how the schools in their community operate, in addition to being an attractive selling point for property values and future commercial development.

The Northport City Council's regular meeting will be on Monday, March 7 at 5:30 p.m.

Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Tuscaloosa Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of the latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch? Email all inquiries to me at ryan.phillips@patch.com