(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, 1919 Regular Session.

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

(3) CITY. Opelika, Alabama.

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

(5) COUNCIL. Opelika City Council.

(6) SPECIAL SCHOOL TAX. The special ad valorem tax for the support and furtherance of education authorized in Amendment 8 and elections held in the city on July 19, 1948, and December 10, 1968, and May 9, 1989, 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 fifty cents ($.50) on each one hundred dollars ($100) (5 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 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 one dollar ten cents ($1.10) on each one hundred dollars ($100) (11 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 school tax to a maximum rate, for any tax year, which is equal to one dollar ten cents ($1.10) on each one hundred dollars ($100) (11 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 such purpose pursuant to the provisions of subsection (f) of Amendment 373.