Hillsborough County voters have the option of raising sales taxes to help pay for transportation, and for school air-conditioning and capital improvements.
The transportation improvements would be made by voting to amend the County Charter to enact a 1-cent sales surtax that would be levied for 30 years and deposited in an audited trust fund with an independent oversight.
That tax would be in addition to the current 7 percent sales tax and is estimated to raise $278 million annual, and $552 million in the first two revenue years. The revenues would be shared by the Hillsborough Regional Transit Authority, the Metropolitan Planning Organization, and using a population-based formula by the Hillsborough County Commission, the City of Tampa, and the City of Temple Terrace.
The money would be used for road and bridge improvements; expanded public transit options; to fix potholes; enhance bus services; relieve rush hour bottlenecks; improve intersections; and, make walking and biking safer.
Hillsborough voters also have the option of authorizing a ½-cent sales surtax for 10 years to fund air conditioning replacements and repairs, capital improvements and construction of other schools, building enhancements for school security and other maintenance needs.
The new ½-cent tax is in addition to the current 7 percent sales tax. It is estimated to raise $138 million annually. Expenditures will be governed by the Aug. 24, 2018 Hillsborough County School Board resolution.
Published October 31, 2018
