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During a Covington County Commission meeting on Tuesday, August 13, Revenue Commissioner Chuck Patterson reported a nearly $2 million increase in projected property tax collections for tax year 2024.

The projected collections for 2024 have increased to $17.3 million. In 2023, property tax collections were just under $15.43 million.

“We have developed an abstract in our office. This means we know what we are going to charge each individual for taxes next year as well as business and personal properties. This is approximately a $1.9 million increase in revenue for the state, the county, and school systems,” Patterson said.

Patterson added that the increase was partly due to the ending of a 1992 tax abatement involving Shaw Industries.

“Of that $1.8 million, there was one large industry here in Andalusia that came off a 25-year abatement. That was an increase of $800,000 this year on taxes, so we were happy that happened and glad that this business was there. I’d also like to thank all the property owners and citizens of Covington County,” he said.

According to Patterson, funds will be allocated as follows:

• $3,284,992.56 to the State of Alabama
• $2,365,163.36 as part of the 1 and 3 mill tax, which is split between the three school systems in Covington County (dispersed as directed by the Alabama State Department of Education)
• $1,563,348.43 to the fire tax, to be distributed among the fire departments in Covington County
• $1,302,790.36 for roads and bridges within the county
• $2,605,580.72 that will be added to the county’s general fund

For more information call the Revenue Commissioner’s office at 334-428-2540.