BAY MINETTE, Ala. — Baldwin County Probate Judge Adrian Johns has set a tentative March 23 date for voters to decide the fate of a 1-cent sales tax referendum election to generate funds for the financially strapped public school system.

Johns said Tuesday the date will allow time to train poll workers and meet advertising and other legal obligations for the vote.

The late-March date also will provide time for Baldwin County Board of Education officials to conduct a grass-roots campaign to garner public support for the measure, which would bring in an estimated $25 million a year for the three-year life of the tax.

Earlier this month, the Baldwin County Commission unanimously approved the referendum, which will cost taxpayers $100,000.

The vote came after several meetings between commissioners, BOE members and the Baldwin County Legislative Delegation concerning solutions to the funding shortages.

The commission has posted an informational link on the county Website for the public to read or download the resolution, as well as the BOE resolution request submitted to the commission.

Go to co.baldwin.al.us and click on the referendum site at the right side of the page.

For more information, call David Brewer, assistant county administrator, at (251) 580-2550.