By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

Local sales tax will be waived on most school supplies and related items July 19-21, following a vote by the Clanton City Council.

The Council unanimously approved the annual tax holiday in a meeting on March 11.

State sales tax will be waived on these days as well. The sales tax holiday is in its 14th year and was started as a way to help families save some money on necessary items for school.

Items meeting the qualifications to be tax free on these days include: clothing ($100 or less per article of clothing), school supplies ($50 or less per item), books ($30 or less per book) and computers/ printers ($750 or less).

An inclusive list of specific items that will be tax free can be accessed at revenue.alabama.gov/sales-use/sales-tax-holidays by clicking on “Quick Reference Sheet of Exempt Items.”

The vote was also unanimous to allow the Clanton Police Department to purchase four new vehicles using the state bid.

Using the state bid helps local governments purchase equipment, usually at lower prices, without going through an independent bid process.

The cars are expected to cost $25,156 each with additional cost, estimated at $10,000 each, for adding needed police equipment, according to Clanton Mayor Billy Joe Driver.

During the meeting, the Council also:

• Approved paying a bill for liability insurance.
• Accepted an employee’s resignation.
• Approved hiring a truck driver.
• Approved purchasing an upgrade in equipment for the Clanton Police Department security system.
• Accepted notice from Zito Media that it would be vacating the building it rented from the city.
• Approved a bid by Carpet Store and More for $4,200 to replace tile in a city-owned building in the Park Plaza shopping center. Replacing the tile is part of a larger project to restore the building.