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By JOYANNA LOVE/ Managing Editor

The Maplesville Town Council approved its plan for using funds from the Rebuild Alabama Act gas tax during a meeting held via phone conference on Aug. 17.

The plan states that the town “will continue allowing money received from the Rebuild Alabama Gas Tax to accumulate for a future road project.  No money has been spent from this tax.”

The tax amount and the revenue received from it will increase in consecutive years. By saving the funds now, the town will have more available later to actually fully fund a project.

The Increase was spread out with a 6-cent increase in 2019, followed by a 2-cent increase set for Oct. 1 in 2020 and 2021. Starting in 2023, the rate would be adjusted every other year based on the “percentage change in the yearly average of the National Highway Construction Cost Index (NHCCI) issued by the U. S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for the most recent 12-month period ending December 31, compared to the base year average, which is the average for the 12-month period ending December 31, 2020 and rounded to the nearest whole cent,” according to the ACT.

The Rebuild Alabama Act proposal was originally unveiled by Gov. Kay Ivey during a press conference in Maplesville. It was later approved by the state legislator.

Also during the Town Council meeting on Aug. 17, poll workers for the Aug. 25 election were approved, and candidates running unopposed were certified for an another term. The mayoral race is the only contested race.