Chelsea voters will pay more in property taxes next year to fund police

Residents of Chelsea, Alabama, will see a higher property tax bill starting in 2027. The city council approved a 5-mill tax increase on Tuesday night to create a local Police Department. The new tax is set to take effect on October 1, 2027.

The council voted 4-1 to pass the measure. Council members Johnna Barnes, Scott Weygand, Chris Grace, and Arthur Fisher Jr. supported the tax. Councilman Casey Morris was the sole vote against it.

The city first considered the proposal at a public hearing on October 5. During that session, residents who support and oppose the tax shared their views with the council. The final vote on Tuesday concluded that discussion.

Mayor Cody Sumners explained that Chelsea has existed for 30 years without its own police force. He noted the city population has reached 18,000 and continues to grow. Sumners said the city needs to plan for the future rather than waiting for a crisis to occur.

“Here we are as a city, 30 years old, without a Police Department,” Sumners said. “We’re 18,000 population now and growing more and more every day. So I guess one of those things where you don’t want to kick the can down the road any further than you have to, you got to start planning for the future and being proactive, and that’s what this is doing.”

Council member Johnna Barnes emphasized the need for local public safety. She acknowledged that residents generally dislike paying extra taxes but argued that the city must protect its citizens.

“Nobody wants a property tax,” Barnes said. “We live here; we don’t want to pay extra taxes, but I never want to put the city in a position to where we do not have the right public safety.”

Council Vice President Chris Grace argued that maintaining a high quality of life requires funding. He addressed concerns that Chelsea does not have a major crime problem. He said the city should not wait for a problem to arise before acting.

“But we can’t wait for a crime problem to try to stand up a Police Department,” Grace said. “We’re making movement as a council to be more independent, to be more proactive, and to provide high-quality public safety and services for our citizens.”

Councilman Casey Morris dissented, stating that a property tax is a major long-term financial commitment. He said the city needs to fully understand the costs and future implications before making the decision.

“Establishing a Police Department is a major long-term financial commitment that would be extremely difficult to reverse,” Morris said. “I fully support funding public safety, but I do not support committing taxpayers to a permanent financial obligation before thoroughly evaluating all available options.”

The tax will cost the average homeowner about $207 per year. Sumners said the average residence in Chelsea has an appraised value of $413,540. Property tax is calculated based on assessed value, which is 10% of the appraised value. This makes the assessed value for the average home $41,354. One mill equals $1 for every $1,000 of assessed value. Based on 2025 numbers, the city estimates the 5-mill tax will generate $1,526,517 annually.