County residents will have an opportunity to sound off on a proposed 3-cent-per-gallon fuel tax when the Covington County Commission holds a public hearing on the issue on Mon., Feb. 6.

The Association of County Commissions of Alabama is supporting the proposed tax, which would be used to guarantee a $1.2 billion state bond issue. If approved by the legislature, Covington County expects to get $13 million for local road and bridge projects.

According to drivealabama.org, the bond issue would cost the average Alabama driver a nickel per day, or less than $1.50 each month.

Earlier this month, County Engineer Lynn Ralls estimated that the county could pave 60-plus miles of roads if it receive $13.2 million from the proposed bond issue.

As currently proposed, the legislation also includes money for municipalities, and guarantees each of the counties in the state a minimum of $10 million. It also does not allow the funds to be used for other types of construction, salary, or equipment.

Commissioners scheduled the public hearing Tuesday.

“We need to have this, because people don’t understand it,” Commissioner Joe Barton said. “They think it’s a tax. But it’s a way to repay a bond issue.”

The public hearing is set for 6 p.m. Mon., Feb. 6, in the county administrative building.