Alabaster city officials unanimously voted Monday to provide a little relief for parents putting kids back in school this fall.

Alabama already eliminates state sales tax for one weekend in August. Now, Alabaster residents will also save on city sales tax during the weekend of Aug. 3-5.

Councilman Bob Hicks said constituents simply want a bit of their money back in their pockets.

&8220;The sales tax holiday is not to benefit schools, its to benefit people paying $3 a gallon for gas, paying $50 for school supplies that used to cost us $8,&8221; Hicks said. &8220;It&8217;s just to give people a break that are putting kids back in school.&8221;

Council President Pro-temp Rick Walters said in a planning meeting that he still felt the city&8217;s program last year was more beneficial. Instead of participating last year, the city of Alabaster gave a portion of its sales tax to local schools.

During the tax free weekend, tax will be eliminated from classroom supplies, computer supplies up to $750, clothing items up to $100 and books under $30.

Councilman Jerry Workman said the weekend would be a good marketing tool.

&8220;People will drive to Hoover or Pelham despite the fact it might cost them more in gas just to save on the sales tax holiday,&8221; Workman said. &8220;So, why not take advantage of this seriously. It will help to promote and support business.&8221;

If the city had voted against the resolution, Alabaster would have been the only municipality in Shelby County to not participate in the weekend