Last year, Dockrey was the only member of the Alexandria council to vote in favor of the tax.

Jack Woods said the money is meant to keep emergency services available in Alexandria. If you call 911, you want police and fire to be there, he said. “We’re kind of forced to implement local taxes to keep these services alive.”

Councilman Eric Schmidt asked during the meeting if the COIT helps schools.

It does not.

COIT funding is meant to help towns and cities pay for public safety, according to Alexandria Clerk-Treasurer Jan Lynch.

“I did a survey asking people and that’s the first thing they asked me,” Schmidt said.

Regnier believes Alexandria won’t be the last town to discuss the COIT before the Nov. 1 deadline. “It seems to have more momentum this year than it did last year.”

Contact Brandi Watters: 640-4847, brandi.watters@heraldbulletin.com

COIT formula

In order for the county option income tax to be increased, 51 percent of the cities and towns in a county must pass resolutions to increase the tax. A formula has been established determining the percentage of the vote given to each town. The percentage is based on population. Below, the breakdown of who gets what percentage of the vote is outlined.

Madison County 31.35 %

Alexandria 4.7 %

Anderson 44.8 %