HOOVER – The Hoover City Council proposed a property tax increase that, pending approval of the Alabama Legislature and Hoover residents, would provide additional funds for the city’s education system.

The proposal, which was requested by Hoover City Schools Superintendent Kathy Murphy, would increase property taxes by 2.4 mills.

The measure would mean a property tax increase of $24 per year for a house with an assessed value of $100,000.

In the Shelby County portion of Hoover, the property tax rate would increase from 64.1 mills to 66.5 mills. In Jefferson County, meanwhile, the rate would rise from 72.6 mills to 75 mills, which is the maximum amount allowed by state law.

Murphy said the property tax increase would produce about $3.6 million a year in revenue for the school system, and the additional funds would be used for capital needs, including an addition of 18 classrooms at Berry Middle School.

“What we’re looking for is a predictable and sustainable source to support ourselves as we go forward,” Murphy said. “I know no one readily raises their hands to pay additional property taxes, and I respect that and I know our community will high expectations in terms of us and what we plan to do and making sure we’re savvy with the resources we already have.”

The next step would be for the Alabama Legislature to approve a vote on the property tax increase. Then, Hoover residents would vote on the measure.

Councilman John Greene asked how much such an election would cost the city, and Council President Gene Smith said about $100,000.

A public hearing was held prior to the Council’s unanimous vote in favor of the resolution.

One resident, Jody Patterson, spoke in opposition to the tax increase.

“I gathered from the work session that there is still a lot of uncertainty about this,” Patterson said and added that residents are already getting “clobbered” by high taxes.