Unfair and even punishing were some of the words that two Dallas County residents used to describe a recent tax imposed by Montgomery County on all those who work in the county.

The 1.5 percent occupational tax will be imposed on almost all who draw a salary in the county. The tax is expected to provide $33 million per year for Montgomery Public Schools.

Selma City Councilman Sam Randoph and Dallas County Commissioner Kim Ballard both said they thought the tax was an unfair burden on Dallas County residents, who work in Montgomery County.

Randolph, besides being a councilman, also works as an employee for Fed-Ex in Montgomery. He said the tax was unfair, especially for residents who do not have an interest in what happens in Montgomery County.

Ballard, who also works outside of Selma, called the tax &uot;an unfair punishment&uot; to all those working outside of Montgomery County, including Dallas County residents.

Ballard added that the tax would also possibly discourage Dallas County residents from seeking employment with the new $1 billion Hyundai Plant to be built in Montgomery.