AMENDMENT 240 RATIFIED

Special Ad Valorem Tax for Paying Principal and Interest on Bonds of City of Birmingham.

Section 1. In addition to all other taxes now or hereafter authorized by law, the governing body of the city of Birmingham shall have the power and authority to levy and collect each year a special ad valorem tax of fifty cents (50¢) on each one hundred ($100) dollars worth of taxable property in the city of Birmingham, based on the valuation of such property as assessed for state taxation for the tax year ending on the 30th day of September next succeeding the levy, to be used by the city of Birmingham solely for paying principal and interest on general obligation bonds of the city of Birmingham heretofore or hereafter issued under authority of law; provided that the authority to levy such tax in accordance with this amendment to the Constitution shall first have been approved by the qualified electors of the city of Birmingham, prior to the first annual levy thereof, as hereinafter provided.

Section 2. In the event this amendment is approved and a majority of the qualified electors of the city of Birmingham who vote thereon vote in favor of the adoption of this amendment when it is submitted, the governing body of the city of Birmingham shall have the power and authority to levy and collect thereafter each year the special ad valorem tax provided for in section 1 hereof. In the event this amendment is approved and a majority of the qualified electors of the city of Birmingham who vote thereon vote against its approval, the authority to levy and collect said tax shall not be given unless the rate of the tax and the purpose thereof shall have been again submitted to a vote of the qualified electors of the city of Birmingham and voted for by a majority of those voting at the election prior to the first annual levy of such tax. Each such election shall be ordered, held, canvassed and may be contested in the same manner as is or may be provided by the law applicable to the city of Birmingham for elections to authorize the issuance of municipal bonds. The ballots used at such election shall contain the words "For Special Ad Valorem Tax of fifty cents per One Hundred Dollars of Taxable Property" and "Against Special Ad Valorem Tax of fifty cents per One Hundred Dollars of Taxable Property." The voter shall record his choice, whether for or against the special ad valorem tax by placing a cross mark before or after the words expressing his choice. Voting machines shall be used in any such election to the extent required by law. In the event the authority to levy the special ad valorem tax is defeated, subsequent elections for the approval of such tax may nevertheless be held again but no election shall be held within one year of any previous such election. Once the authority to levy such tax has been approved no further election shall be required thereon.