Hackleburg Town Hall meeting set concerning raising sales tax

HACKLEBURG — Local residents will have a chance to weigh in on a proposed sales tax increase for the Town of Hackleburg. The issue of raising sales tax by one percent was presented at the last council meeting on Monday, Feb. 16. A town hall meeting has been scheduled for tomorrow Thursday, March 5, at 6 p.m. at the town hall.
Currently, Hackleburg’s sales tax rate is eight percent, while most other cities and towns within Marion County are at nine percent, with some being as great as 10 percent.
“Nobody wants to ever raise taxes, and nobody is ever happy about it,” Colburn said. “But we’re the only town in the county not at nine (percent), which doesn’t mean we have to go there. We’re talking about picking up $200,000 in revenue, and for all the things we want to do, whether it’s paving roads, revitalizing downtown, adding pickleball courts, adding on to the pool, using it for grant matching money, it would be huge for us. But I would like to hear from the people, too.”
The Town of Hackleburg’s general fund does not see the entirety of the current sales tax rate of eight percent. The state receives four percent, and the county receives two percent, while half of one percent is given to the school, and the other half is given to the police department.
Over the past three years, 2023 through 2025, this single one percent has brought in $565,201.46. Over these three years, if Hackleburg had received the rate of two percent, that figure would be at $1,130,402.92.
Current rates of other Marion County cities and towns are as follows: Bear Creek, Brilliant, Guin and Hamilton, nine percent; Haleyville and Winfield, 10 percent; Glen Allen, six percent; and Gu-Win, 7.5 percent.
In old business, Colburn updated everyone on the Rebuild Alabama project of paving and widening Walker Street. Plans were shared from Waggoner Engineering. The total cost of the project is $306,784, though the grant was for $273,000.
“It went over budget,” Colburn said. “They’re going to cross Highway 172 and pave all the way to County Road 12.” Even though the project went over budget, the council decided to continue with the project, citing the benefits of the road, which is also a truck route through town.
“It should have a 20-year lifespan at least, when they get it done,” Colburn added.
In new business, the council discussed Shawn Lindsay to apply ceramic coatings, inside and out, on the town’s new police vehicles and to continue maintenance. As a price was not available, the matter was tabled.
Councilmember Zach Isom asked about purchasing spike strips for the police department. The price of the each spike strip is $545, and the town would need six, for a total of $3,270. Colburn explained Police Chief Kenny Hallmark had the money in the police department account, so the purchase was approved.
“It may not even be (a police chase) that starts here in our town,” Isom said. “It may be one that just happens to come down Highway 43 or somewhere else. I think it’s a necessity.”
The next item under new business was the discussion of selling a lot the town owns at 34909 U.S. Highway 43, where the Piggly Wiggly was located. According to Colburn, the town purchased the lot one year ago, and negotiation plans are currently underway for the lot to be sold to a company with plans on bringing in several businesses.
The town will also begin posting for lifeguard positions at the pool for summer 2026 soon.
The Hackleburg council meets every third Monday night at 6 p.m. at town hall.