(a) The following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:

(1) AMENDMENT No. 56. That amendment to the constitution that was proposed by Act No. 383, H. 458, 1945 Regular Session.

(2) AMENDMENT No. 373. That amendment to the constitution that was proposed by Act No. 6, H. 170, 1978 Second Special Session.

(3) CITY. Cullman, Alabama.

(4) CONSTITUTION. The Constitution of Alabama of 1901.

(5) COUNCIL. Cullman City Council.

(6) SPECIAL SCHOOL TAX. The special ad valorem tax for the support and furtherance of education authorized in Amendment No. 56 and an election held in the city on April 19, 1960, and levied and collected on taxable property in the city.

(b) The city presently levies and collects the special school tax at a rate of $.75 on each one hundred dollars (7.5 mills on each dollar) of assessed value pursuant to Amendment No. 56. Pursuant to a resolution adopted by the council in accordance with Amendment No. 373, the city proposes to increase (by 9 mills) the rate at which it may levy and collect the special school tax to a maximum rate, for any tax year, which is equal to $1.65 on each one hundred dollars (16.5 mills on each dollar) of assessed value.

(c) Pursuant to subsection (1) of Amendment No. 373 and a resolution adopted by the council after a public hearing, the council may increase the rate at which the city levies and collects the special school tax to a maximum rate, for any tax year, which is equal to $1.65 on each one hundred dollars (16.5 mills on each dollar) of assessed value.

(d) The increase in the rate at which the special school tax may be levied and collected pursuant to this section is subject to the approval of a majority of the qualified electors residing in the city who vote on the proposed increase at a special election called and held for that purpose pursuant to the provisions of subsection (f) of Amendment No. 373.