Replacing the current half-cent local option sales tax with a one-cent sales tax will improve quality of life for Santa Rosa residents.
We live in one of the fastest growing counties in the nation. Our parks, roads, bridges, and other community amenities have to keep up.
The funds will pay for much-needed transportation, public safety, parks, recreation, stormwater, and land conservation improvements.
Enhancing our Quality of Life
- Recreation facilities
- Playgrounds
- Bike and pedestrian paths
- Green space conservation
Protecting our People
- Replacement of patrol cars
- Emergency management
- Dispatch Center
- Public safety equipment
Improving Public Works
- Roadway improvements
- Bridge construction
- Stormwater retention
- Paving dirt roads
How will the County Use its Portion?
The ballot language ensures that over 50% will be used for transportation infrastructure. The remaining portion can be used for projects related to stormwater, recreation, law enforcement, fire equipment needs, and land conservation easements to preserve the valuable natural resources within the county. The established citizen sales tax committee will determine program allocations in early 2025 and proceed with the annual project review and selection process.
Restrictions
Funds cannot be used for:
- Employee insurance costs
- Employee retirement expenses
- Salaries, position upgrades, merit increases or Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA)
Benefits
The Penny Sales Tax provides an additional funding stream for the infrastructure needs of our growing county while reducing the reliance on property tax. Identifying diverse funding sources like the Penny Tax, which generates revenue for much-needed capital projects from visitors - not just residents - is essential to keeping Santa Rosa County ad valorem taxes low.
The Penny Sales Tax will bring in nearly half a billion dollars over the next 15 years to help complete important projects faster. The Penny Sales Tax will be used to speed up building roads, parks, and other needed improvements in our growing community. When used with other grants and matching funds, it could total up to one billion dollars over the next 15 years.
This half-cent increase will bring in nearly $30 million a year for the next 15 years to help complete these important projects faster. With grants and matching funds, it will mean a billion dollars to build a better Santa Rosa County.
Penny Sales Tax History
The half-cent local option sales tax was passed by approximately two-thirds of Santa Rosa County voters on August 30, 2016, and went into effect on January 1, 2017. It was extended by Santa Rosa County voters in November 2020 and will sunset on December 31, 2026.
The Santa Rosa County Commission held public hearings on April 4, 2024, and again on May 9, 2024, to adopt approved referendum language as required by the Department of Revenue for the future penny sales surtax.
The November 5, 2024, general election ballot will include the referendum to replace the existing half-cent sales tax with a one percent (one cent) sales surtax. For a better quality of life for Santa Rosa residents, fifty percent or more of the proceeds will be used for transportation improvements, and the remaining balance will fund capital projects for stormwater, public safety, parks, recreation and land conservation.
Fix Our Roads and Infrastructure by Levying a 1 Cent Surtax
The following is the language that will appear on the ballot in November 2024:
Shall Santa Rosa County replace the existing half-cent sales tax with a one percent (one cent) sales surtax that will be used for building, construction, and maintaining roads, bridges and other infrastructure, beginning January 1, 2025 for 15 years, and will be subject to review of a citizen oversight committee? No less than 50% of the proceeds will be used for transportation and if approved, transportation impact fees will take effect.
____ FOR THE ONE CENT SALES TAX
____ AGAINST THE ONE CENT SALES TAX
