MADISON – It is here! Tuesday, Sept. 10, is the day Madison City school leaders have been anticipating, when voters will get a chance to vote for or against a proposed 12-mill property tax increase. School leaders say the increase is needed to meet growth demands and sustain the MCS school district as one of the top districts in the state and nation.

A 12-mil increase would add $120 annually in property tax per $100,000 value of a home.

Madison City Schools said it needs this because enrollment is growing. It needs to build a $34 million new elementary school, an estimated $49 million middle school, and it needs millions more for additions to high schools and more staff.

Parker says most of the schools within the district are near, or at, 100% capacity. With rapid population growth still continuing in Madison and Triana, space for more students is growing scarce.

Melanie Williard, Madison City Clerk-Treasurer has been prepping for the special election by reminding voters where to vote on Sept. 10. Voting will be from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Voters in Madison have two polling places listed on their voter card: one for county/state/federal elections and one for city/municipal elections. That means, if you look at your voter card, you might see two locations listed.

“We want everybody to make sure they are going to the right place. We don’t want them to be frustrated and decide not to vote,” Williard said. “The top location is where you’re going to vote for your county, state, and federal election. And then the bottom one that says City is where you’re going to vote for any municipal election. Whether it’s the ad valorem election or whether it’s the mayor-council election next year.”

The designated voting places for this special election in Madison are as follows, by city council district:

Dist. 1: Faith Lutheran Church – 660 Gillespie Road

Dist. 2: Madison Baptist Church – 840 Balch Road (Madison County residents)

Lamb of God Lutheran Church – 11716 County Line Road (Limestone County residents)

Dist.3: Madison Mission Seventh Day Adventist Church – 183 Shelton Road

Dist.4: Madison City Hall – 100 Hughes Road (Madison County residents),

Lamb of God Lutheran Church – 11716 County Line Road (Limestone County residents)

Dist. 5: St. John the Baptist Catholic School – 1057 Hughes Road.

Dist. 6: Madison Church of Christ – 556 Hughes Road.

Dist. 7: Restoration Church – 5810 Wall-Triana Highway

Absentee voting will be held for all districts at Madison City Hall, 100 Hughes Road.

Triana residents will vote at Town Hall, 640 6th Street.

If you’re unsure of where to go, misplaced your voter card, or have questions you can call the Madison City Clerk’s office at (256) 772-5610 or go to www.madisonal.gov.