SB 347

Relating to Jackson County; to amend Section 45-36-162, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to the distribution of payments by the Tennessee Valley Authority in lieu of payment of taxes; to provide for the redistribution of the payments in the Jackson County Legislative Delegation Critical Needs Fund.

Section 1

Section 45-36-162, Code of Alabama 1975, is amended to read as follows:

§45-36-162.

(a) Any payments coming into the treasury of Jackson County that are derived, directly or indirectly, from payments by the Tennessee Valley Authority in lieu of payment of taxes shall be appropriated as follows:

(1) One percent to the Jackson County Economic Development Fund paid to the fund monthly until it reaches a balance of one million dollars ($1,000,000); the payments shall continue whenever the balance in the fund drops below one million dollars ($1,000,000). The county commission may invest the funds to the benefit of local governments and entities in the county, in its discretion, and expend the same for disaster relief in the county or for any economic purpose that benefits the county, including, but not limited to, any activity or purpose which provides an incentive for the creation or retention of jobs and employment opportunities in the county; participating local governments or entities may apply for the funds for these purposes. It is the intent of this appropriation for the Jackson County Economic Development Fund to be used for recruiting industry; matching public or private grants the county may receive for industrial development; and special projects for site preparation, surveying, archaeological or geotechnical studies, or other direct expenses necessary to recruit industry to the county.

(2) The next one hundred forty-five thousand dollars ($145,000) of each year's payments shall be paid to the Jackson County Hospital Board to provide all residents of Jackson County with adequate ambulance service.

(3) After the above appropriations, the next thirty-five thousand dollars ($35,000) of each year's payments shall be distributed to the Scottsboro-Jackson County Rescue Squad for the maintenance and operation of the rescue squad's equipment and facilities.

(4) After the above appropriation, the next one hundred five thousand dollars ($105,000) shall be paid to the Jackson County Economic Development Authority on an annual basis.

(5) In addition to the Jackson County Economic Development Authority, as provided above, the next seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000), shall be annually paid to the authority. All appropriations made in this subdivision to the Jackson County Economic Development Authority shall be deposited in a special industrial development fund to be used only for the purposes of this subdivision as follows: For recruiting industry; matching public or private grants the county may receive for industrial development; and special projects for site preparation, surveying, archaeological or geotechnical studies, or other direct expenses necessary to recruit industry to the county.

(6) After the above appropriation, all Jackson County volunteer fire departments in good standing with the Jackson County Association of Volunteer Fire Departments shall be authorized to receive seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500) each annually to help furnish adequate fire protection in the communities that they serve. The amount paid to each volunteer fire department shall be paid at the direction of the county fire marshal and disbursed to each fire chief upon approval of the county fire marshal. In addition to the above, thirty-five thousand dollars ($35,000) shall be distributed to the Jackson County Association of Volunteer Fire Departments for use by the association.

(7) The next forty thousand dollars ($40,000) to the Greater Jackson County Chamber of Commerce to promote tourism, workforce development and education, and retail and commercial development that promotes economic development in the area. The funds disbursed pursuant to this subdivision shall be disbursed in two payments of twenty thousand dollars ($20,000).

(8) An annual accounting of the use of the funds appropriated in subdivisions (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), and (7) shall be furnished to the Jackson County Commission no later than September 30 of each year. In the event an annual accounting is not furnished, the commission may reduce or terminate funding for the next fiscal year for the entity failing to furnish the report by a majority vote of the commission. All resulting excess money shall then be transferred to the general fund of the county.

(9) Commencing October 1, 2016, the net payments remaining in the appropriation paid to Jackson County after the appropriations in subdivisions (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), and (7) shall be appropriated as follows:

a. Two percent of such payments, as shall be necessary, shall be used to establish, equip, and maintain a legislative office for the members of the state legislative delegation serving Jackson County, Alabama, and any unused portion shall be paid to the Jackson County Commission's general fund.

b. Two percent of such payments shall be appropriated to Jackson County EDA under this section.

c. Thirty-six percent of such payments shall be appropriated to the public school systems within Jackson County on a per pupil pro rata basis.

d. Twenty-nine and fifty hundredths percent of such payments shall be appropriated to the incorporated municipalities within the county on a population basis.

e. Thirty and fifty hundredths percent of such payments shall be placed in the general fund of the county treasury and may be used for any lawful purpose by the county.

(b) The remaining payments in the Jackson County Legislative Delegation Critical Needs Fund, on the effective date of this act, shall be redistributed as follows:

(1) Three hundred ninety-three thousand, three hundred fifty-three dollars and forty-three cents ($393,353.43) to the Jackson County Economic Development Authority to promote the growth of Jackson County.

(2) Three hundred sixty thousand dollars ($360,000) to be divided equally among the Jackson County and Scottsboro City Schools for providing computers and technology in the classrooms.

(3) Thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) to Impact Learning to house the Career Center of the Jackson County Employment Agency.

(4) Thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) to Roseberry Rescue, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, to preserve the environment of the Roseberry Creek.

(5) Twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) to be divided equally among the five libraries in the county.

(6) Twenty-four thousand dollars ($24,000) to be divided equally among the community feeding centers for the homeless or impoverished in the county.

(7) Twenty-seven thousand dollars ($27,000) to be divided equally among the community centers in the county to provide a place for senior citizens.

(8) Fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) to the Jackson County Conservation District to promote educational programs related to conservation and agriculture.

(9) Ten thousand dollars ($10,000) to the Earnest Pruett Center of Technology (EPCOT) to provide technology for workforce development and skills training.

(10) Ten thousand dollars ($10,000) to the Jackson County Council on Aging for assisting senior citizens.

(11) Ten thousand dollars ($10,000) to the Arc of Jackson County.

(12) Ten thousand dollars ($10,000) to the Boys and Girls Club of Scottsboro for continuing education of youth.

(13) Five thousand dollars ($5,000) to the Michael Scott Learning Center.

(14) Five thousand dollars ($5,000) to the Care Assurance System for the Aging and Homebound of Jackson County (CASA).

(15) One hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) to the Jackson County Senior Rx Program.

(16) After the above distributions in this subsection are made, any monies remaining in the fund shall be transferred into the operating account of the Jackson County Legislative Delegation Office and the Jackson County Legislative Delegation Critical Needs Fund shall thereafter be closed."

Section 2

This act shall become effective immediately following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.