The voting is over and the results are official. The ad valorem tax that benefits the Russellville City School system has been approved by the citizens of Russellville and the tax will continue to be a contributing factor to renovation, maintenance, and other construction projects for the RCS school system. The tax, voted on and passed on April 28, will be extended for another 30 year period.

The final tally after Tuesday’s voting was 269 in favor of extending the ad valorem tax, and 41 against.

The ad valorem tax is assessed yearly on city property owners only and raises, “somewhere around $500,000 yearly,” according to current Russellville City Schools Superintendent Rex Mayfield. “This ad valorem tax is essential to the school system to help pay for construction and renovation projects,” Mayfield said.

The ad valorem, or property tax, was first voted into place by residents in 1958 to help fund the construction of Russellville High School. Mayfield said the way the law was written back then provided for a 30-year period for the tax before it had to be voted on to be renewed. The voters last renewed the ad valorem tax in 1987. After the voting on April 28 the tax has been voted to be extended for another 30 year period.

The 7.8-mill tax is assessed on a yearly basis and only affects city property owners. Nothing has changed in the tax for those 65 and older or those under the Homestead exemption, according to Mayfield.