PHENIX CITY, Ala. - Two school property tax renewals that voters rejected in May were ahead in unofficial returns from Tuesday's Nov. 3 election, according to WTVM's results page. Phenix City's 4-mill school tax had 3,254 votes in favor, or 54.5 percent, and 2,722 against, or 45.5 percent. The countywide 4.5-mill Russell County school tax had 7,190 votes in favor, or 54.2 percent, and 6,078 against, or 45.8 percent.

All of these numbers are unofficial and were still changing on WTVM's page, which refreshes every two minutes and did not say how many precincts had reported. An earlier snapshot of the same page showed slightly lower totals with the same split of about 54 percent to 46 percent. Official results will come from the canvass of votes, and the Columbus Times did not find a certification date for Russell County.

The unofficial results

How different May looked

In the May 19 special election, both renewals were defeated, according to Alabama Daily News. The Phenix City measure lost 1,146 to 1,132, a margin of 14 votes, while the countywide tax lost 3,081 to 2,514. Far more people voted on the measures on Nov. 3 than in May, based on the totals reported.

Alabama gives school systems two attempts to pass a property tax renewal, according to Alabama Daily News. That is why the measures came back to the ballot in November. As of May 21, it was unclear whether either district would seek a second vote, the newspaper reported.

What the renewals do

Both measures renew existing taxes for 30 years and do not raise the rate, according to 1819 News and the county's special election notice. The 4.5-mill countywide tax equals 45 cents per $100 of assessed property value, and Phenix City's 4-mill tax equals 40 cents per $100. The Phenix City tax applies only to property within the city limits, according to 1819 News.

The county notice said the new 30-year period would begin with the tax year starting Oct. 1, 2026, with payments due starting Oct. 1, 2027. The original countywide tax was approved Sept. 16, 1997, and the Phenix City tax was approved Nov. 18, 1997, according to the notice as reported by Citizen of East Alabama. Alabama Daily News reported that neither district would fall below the state's 10-mill threshold because of the May rejections.

What was at stake

Estimates of the money at risk vary by measure. Russell County officials said in April that the countywide tax adds up to $5.7 million a year, and that one mill is worth about $370,000 in the county, according to Alabama Daily News. Russell County Schools Chief School Financial Officer Robert Oliver told WTVM in September that losing the tax would cost the district about $2 million a year, or $60 million over 30 years. Alabama Daily News reported that the Phenix City loss could have totaled as much as $1.5 million.

Oliver said the tax gives the district local money that keeps it eligible for a state funding match, according to WTVM. He also said it pays for projects the state does not fund, such as after-school programs. The district said it has a reserve fund but that it would not last long at current spending levels.

What Phenix City Schools said the money pays for

At an Oct. 27 community meeting, Phenix City Schools leaders said the millage helps pay for a vice principal at every school, extra librarians and counselors, and reading, math and graduation coaches, according to WTVM. The board said losing it could affect funding for maintenance, renovations and paychecks. Superintendent Nathan Walters said in September that the approved 2026-27 budget would not be affected by the tax outcome.

District leaders also discussed buying a building for the central office, which dates to the 1970s, according to WTVM's Oct. 28 report. The plan described at the meeting involves $800,000 down and $10 million financed for a building the district speaker said is worth $16 million. The district speaker said the purchase depends on the city buying district buildings.

What happens next

Unofficial results become official after the canvass, and the Columbus Times will report the certified totals when the Russell County Probate Office or the Alabama Secretary of State publishes them. School district officials have not been quoted on the Nov. 3 returns in the sources reviewed. WTVM's results page for the same election also lists Alabama races on the ballot, which are outside the scope of this report.