Proposed tax would put officers in every Talladega, Calhoun coun

Officials in Talladega and Calhoun counties are teaming up to ensure student safety.

Through the School Safety Act, they will propose a tax to pay for one law enforcement officer in every public school system in the counties. Voters will get to approve or reject the tax during a referendum in June. The act is expected to generate $2.5 million across the two counties.

In addition to putting school resource officers in each school, the act will help fund and maintan a system for teachers to directly communicate with law enforcement. The Alabama Regional Communications System (ARCS) is used in day-to-day school operations and also by emergency officials. A portion of the School Safety Act funding would support this existing system.

Supporters of the act says that the cost of the proposed tax would equal "two soft drinks a month." They estimate that a homeowner with property assessed at $100,000 would pay an estimated $35 a year to support the act.

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