CIT funds roads, fire stations, stormwater enhancements, and other capital improvement projects throughout Hillsborough County.
The Community Investment Tax, a half-percent sales surtax that funds major infrastructure projects in Hillsborough County and the cities of Plant City, Tampa, and Temple Terrace, as well as Hillsborough County Public Schools, is on the ballot this November.
Initially approved by Hillsborough County voters in September 1996 for a period of 30 years, the tax expires Nov. 30, 2026. Since gaining voter approval, the revenue generated by the tax has funded or partially funded more than 780 projects throughout the community.
CIT projects from 1996 to present
Over the past 28 years, CIT has provided about $2.77 billion to fund or partially fund 784 capital improvement projects.
Many of the CIT-funded projects residents pass by or visit regularly – checking out a book at the local library, visiting a park, attending a local public school or driving down a county-owned road.
Other projects funded by the CIT surtax are not as visible and include projects such as culvert replacement throughout the county to improve water drainage, replacement of the bridges along Florida State Road 39 at the Alafia and Little Manatee Rivers, and the installation of pipes to transport drinking water in Wimauma.
Some CIT funding also goes to projects at major community facilities, such as the Museum of Science and Industry, Raymond James Stadium and the Tampa Bay History Museum.
For a full list of projects funded by the CIT from 1996 to present, view this map.
Proposed CIT projects for 2026-2041
If approved by voters in November, the CIT will continue to fund much-needed capital improvement projects and capital equipment across the community. Among these projects are the building of nine new fire stations, road repaving, sidewalk repairs, enhancing additional transportation and stormwater infrastructure, new schools and general public safety investments.
Hillsborough County Project Lists
Transportation & Public Works – $1.34 billion
- 16% – Intersection safety and mobility.
- 16% – Lithia Pinecrest Road congestion relief.
- 15% – Bridge repairs and replacements.
- 13% – Repaving and pavement preservation.
- 11% – Sidewalk repairs.
- 9% – Traffic signals replacements and upgrades.
- 8% – Pedestrian safety and mobility.
- 7% – Van Dyke Road congestion relief.
- 5% – Multi-use trails and boardwalks.
- Trails: (Balm-Boyette Scrub Preserve, Sydney-Dover Trails, Flatwoods Park, Fishhawk Preserve, Northwest Equestrian Park, Tampa Bypass Canal, South Coast Greenway Trail, Kirby Canal Trail, Memorial Bikeway and Wimauma Connector Trail.
- Boardwalks: – Brooker Creek Headwaters Preserve, Alderman’s Ford Park, Cypress Creek Preserve, Rhodine Scrub Preserve, Stephen J. Wortham Park Connection, Little Manatee River Preserve and Alafia Scrub Preserve.
Public Facilities – $597 million
- 91% – Community facilities (pet resources shelter, community facilities, Sulphur Springs grocer infrastructure, tournament sports facilities, Steinbrenner Field capital maintenance/repair, Amalie Arena capital maintenance/repair and Raymond James Stadium capital maintenance/repair).
- 9% – Parks and conservation (synthetic turf field projects, shade sails over playgrounds: covered basketball courts and Collins/Panther Trace Park improvements).
Public Safety – $487 million
- 35% – Fire rescue (nine new fire stations, vehicles and equipment).
- 34% – Sheriff’s office (jail expansion and improvements, vehicles and equipment, training center improvements, and equipment and facility improvements).
- 31% – Courts (land acquisition for future expansion, courtroom expansions, downtown chiller expansion, Twiggs Parking Garage and new downtown courthouse).
Public Utilities – $180 million
- 56% – Stormwater infrastructure (Town and Country regional improvements. stormwater culvert renewal and replacement, stormwater pump station renewal and replacement, drainage improvements and stormwater quality improvements).
- 44% – Septic-to-sewer conversions (Gibsonton phases 3 and 4, Ruskin/Wimauma area and Palm River phases 1 and 2).
Hillsborough County Public Schools – $188 million
- New elementary school and middle school in Wimauma, elementary school near Apollo Beach and future school builds.
City of Plant City – Not specified
- Community center, Fire Station No. 4, Fire Station No. 5, law enforcement equipment & facilities, transportation infrastructure (intersection safety, multi-use trails and corridor congestion relief), parks and recreation improvements.
City of Tampa – $783 million
- $191 million – Sidewalk repairs, repaving and pavement preservation, bridge repairs and replacement, traffic signals replacements and upgrades, intersection safety and mobility, pedestrian safety and mobility, corridor congestion relief and multi-use trails.
- $339 million – Vehicles/equipment and facilities.
- $253 million – Public facilities (capital maintenance/repair of Raymond James Stadium and Amalie Arena) and parks and conservation.
City of Temple Terrace – $54 million
- Public safety building, Fire Station No. 3 training tower building, police vehicles and equipment, fire apparatus/vehicles and equipment, new park construction and improvements to general government facilities, library, parks and recreation facilities.
Want to learn more?
Visit HCFL.gov/CIT for more information about CIT, including the history of the tax, surtax performance audit, Nov. 5 ballot language and funds distribution details.
This article was provided by Hillsborough County.
