Back-to-school shoppers will receive a small reprieve in Clanton this weekend—but not as much of a break as was possible.

The city of Clanton again will participate in the state sales tax holiday Friday through Sunday, but Chilton County—and the county’s other municipalities—will not offer a tax break.

Jemison, Maplesville and Thorsby officials told The Clanton Advertiser in July they declined to participate because of the small number of stores that sell the kind of supplies covered by the holiday.

The reason for the county’s non-participation isn’t as clear.

Chilton County Commission chairman Tim Mims said the decision about participation is left up to the county board of education because the county’s 1-cent sales tax is reserved specifically for education.

But Schools Superintendent Keith Moore said he never received the request from the state, though County Administrator Vanessa Hendrick said she sent it.

The county hasn’t participated in any of the sales tax holidays.

Sales tax is being waived in 55 of Alabama’s 67 counties this year and in 254 municipalities.

The holiday covers items like basic school supplies, computers that cost less than $750 and basic items of clothing that cost $100 or less.

For a complete list of tax-exempt supplies, log on to ador.state.al.us/salestax/salestaxhol.htm.

Clanton Walmart store manager Tyson Elrod said the store usually sees an increase in sales though he couldn’t release specific numbers.

“Sales are usually actually down before [the holiday],” Elrod said. “If it’s one of those items that will be affected, they’ll hold off until the holiday.”