DAYTON, Tenn. — Dayton City Council members voted to allocate funds from a recently adopted sales tax increase to construction projects at Dayton City School.

And after their Monday night vote, the council challenged officials in Spring City and Graysville to do the same for schools in their communities.

City Manager Frank Welch said he was informed by the state department of revenue that the sales tax increase, approved in August in a countywide referendum, could be used at the council’s discretion.

Councilman Billy Graham said he believes, though, the tax increase would not have passed if voters realized that the city governments were not obligated to use their portion of the money for school construction projects.

“The voters voted for the sales tax for a specific reason,” he said. “I don’t have any problem using the (city’s portion) for Dayton City School. The other municipalities have Rhea County schools in their city limits, and I think they should do what the voters wanted. If we don’t use ours for City School, I think we’re doing an injustice.”

City Recorder Tom Solomon said a special account would be established for the money.

Councilmen also passed on first reading an ordinance to increase the monthly fire protection fee to $2 from its present $1. Mayor Bob Vincent said the additional funds would be used to pay for construction of a new fire hall and equipment for the fire department. The fee is assessed each water customer in the city limits.

They voted to pass along to electric customers a 6 percent rate decrease announced by TVA recently. The decrease reflects lower prices TVA pays for fuel used to generate electricity.