Now that the county income tax council has overwhelmingly voted to increase our income tax, I and many other taxpayers feel it’s time to adopt an “opt-out” clause. Taxpayers of Madison County don’t mind paying their fair share for services and public safety. It seems whenever political parties get elected, there’s an extra added cost to taxpayers, to provide wages and benefits for officials, family members, friends and acquaintances. An “opt-out” clause would give the taxpayers a legal right to choose not to pay any increases that are above their fair share.

Elected officials of city and county, and let’s not forget elected state officials who voted to cap property taxes, created the local increases of COIT. These supporters of tax increases and appointees, along with employees, should not hesitate to agree to have their taxes increased, to make up the difference of “opt-out” taxpayers. This would continue job security and decent wages for all employees who provide services and public safety. Taxpayers of Madison County, let’s not forget to vote in any future elections, so we can decide who is going to represent us.

Ron Ackles

Anderson