Aldermen seek wiggle room

Despite a unanimous vote Monday night on the municipal school issue, several Germantown aldermen want some wiggle room.

The five aldermen voted unanimously on the first of three readings on two separate ordinances. The first establishes a municipal school district, while the second sets up a way to pay for it through a half- cent local sales tax option.

Before voting, several aldermen sought answers about the process.

“What if it becomes undoable?” Alderman Greg Marcom asked.

“We are authorized. We are not mandated” to start a school system, City Admin. Patrick Lawton told them.

Alderman Mike Palazzolo also wanted to know whether, if the local sales tax increase passes, the board could delay implementing it or choose to stop collecting the tax.

City Atty. Tom Cates said Tuesday afternoon he was still researching those issues.

— Lela Garlington