MADISON, Ala. (WHNT) — On Tuesday, those living in Madison will have the opportunity to vote for their next mayor.
Current Mayor Paul Finley announced last October that he would not run for re-election. City Councilwoman Ranae Bartlett, City Administrator Steve Smith, and community activist Margi Daly will appear on the ballot.
Madison is one of the state’s fastest-growing cities, more than doubling in size over the past 25 years. The candidates tell News 19 the city faces challenges because of the growth, and one of the issues they have discussed with voters is how to fund needed city improvements.
A half-cent sales tax, implemented in Madison to fund the construction of James Clemens High School, is set to expire in 2027. The candidates offer their visions for how the city should proceed.
Bartlett said the city will still need the money collected as part of the tax in the coming years.
“We continue to add school age populations to our school system, so this is no time to take money away from our school system,” Bartlett said. “It is no plan to take money from schools to pay for roads. That’s not what we need to do. We need to continue in our investment in our school system, but we also can pay for our roads and infrastructure.”
Bartlett said she strongly supports local education.
“I realized that there would be a vacuum in leadership, and I decided to step up,” Bartlett said when asked why she chose to run for Mayor.
She was a longtime member of the Madison Board of Education before taking on her role in the city council.
Steve Smith also believes the tax needs to be extended, emphasizing he has a plan for the funds.
“I don’t want to make it permanent,” Smith said. “I just want to extend it. That way, I am accountable for the way we handle that money, and I want to be able to support our schools, support traffic or reduction of traffic support, quality of life issues, improving our parks, and, of course, keeping our community safe by investing in our fire and police departments.”
Smith has worked in city government for years, spending two terms as a city councilman before becoming city administrator.
“I’ve got a lot invested in our city, not only just from a personal standpoint, but like I said, my family’s invested here,” Smith said. “When Mayor Finley announced he wasn’t going to run again, I just felt like somebody needed to carry the torch that we’ve been carrying for the past 13 years.”
Daly said, unlike her opponents, she does not believe in extending the tax. She said she is concerned about the cost of living and wants to find an alternative way to fund local schools.
“I believe there’s several ways we can do that,” Daly said. “Putting the lodging taxes, switching that over to fund the schools and numerous other things, and there will be state and federal funding for the schools.”
Daly is a familiar face at city council meetings. She is a frequent attendee and community organizer.
“The last five years, some of the things I have seen I didn’t agree with, and I think it’s sending us on the wrong path,” Daly said. Just my passion for the city made me say I should stand up because I think I could do a better job.”
Daly’s platform includes ensuring governmental transparency, especially at city council meetings, and improving traffic flow issues.
The municipal election will take place on Tuesday.
For more information about these candidates, you can view a detailed Q&A here.
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