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FAIRFIELD, Alabama — Voters who turned out in Fairfield voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to renew a portion of the property tax used to fund the city’s school system.

Voters approved a renewal of the city’s 15-mill property tax for schools by a 401 to 41 margin.

The election results are unofficial and still must be certified by the City Council.

The 15-mill tax, which costs the owner of a $100,000 home $150 a year, is one of two property taxes used to fund the Fairfield City School System.

The tax, passed in 1986, accounted for $900,000 in the current fiscal year. It was set to expire in October.

School officials had campaigned to have the tax renewed, emphasizing that it did not represent an increase in the tax burdens of homeowners but was necessary to the system’s future.

Fairfield schools Superintendent Frieda Bush said the renewal means the system will continue to have money on hand to pay the bills in the face of state budget cuts.

“The citizens who voted had an interest in the students and the future of the Fairfield City Schools,” Bush said.

Turnout was low for the election, with only 6.2 percent of the city’s 7,113 registered voters casting ballots.

Tracey Hill, a mother of three in the system, she was disappointed her fellow voters in Fairfield did not vote.

“This is one way we can help our schools,” she said.

Hill, who voted at the Municipal Building, said she voted in favor of the renewal because it will mean the system will have resources on hand to continue many of its programs. She said her youngest child is autistic and benefits from programs offered in the system.

Carolyn Newton also said she voted for the renewal after casting her ballot late Tuesday at Glen Oaks Elementary School. Newton said all the students in Fairfield will benefit from renewing the tax.

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