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

(1) AMENDMENT 8. That amendment to the Constitution that was proposed by Act 650, S. 593, 1919 General Session.

(2) AMENDMENT 373. That amendment to the Constitution that was proposed by Act 6, H. 170, 1978 Second Special Session.

(3) CITY. Florence, Alabama.

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

(5) COUNCIL. Florence City Council.

(6) SPECIAL TAX. The special voted ad valorem tax for public school purposes authorized in the second proviso of Amendment 8 and pursuant to an election held in the city on December 10, 1923, and levied and collected on taxable property in the city; being originally voted at the rate of 5 mills on each dollar assessed value and, pursuant to proceedings heretofore taken under Amendment 373, presently levied at the rate of 7 mills on each dollar of assessed value.

(b) The city presently levies and collects the special tax at a rate of seventy cents ($.70) on each one hundred dollars ($100) (7 mills on each dollar) of assessed value pursuant to Amendment 8. Pursuant to a resolution adopted by the council in accordance with Amendment 373, the city proposes to increase (by not greater than 7 mills) the rate at which it may levy and collect the special tax to a maximum rate, for any tax year, which is equal to one dollar forty cents ($1.40) on each one hundred dollars ($100) (14 mills on each dollar) of assessed value.

(c) Pursuant to subsection (f) of Amendment 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 tax to a maximum rate, for any tax year, which is equal to one dollar forty cents ($1.40) on each one hundred dollars ($100) (14 mills on each dollar) of assessed value.

(d) The increase in the rate at which the special 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 such purpose pursuant to subsection (f) of Amendment 373.