Approved County Transit Proposal Saps Sales Tax Fund

By ANTHONY McCARTNEY The Tampa Tribune

Published: Oct 18, 2007

TAMPA - With a 5-2 vote, Hillsborough County commissioners approved a $500 million transportation improvement plan Wednesday that will consume much of the remaining revenue from the Community Investment Tax.

The county's estimated $2.4 billion share of the 30-year, half-cent sales tax approved by voters in 1996 largely has been spent or obligated. County officials estimate up to $250 million is left, but public safety officials hope to use that money.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and court officials say they will need new jail and court facilities that will take up the rest of the CIT money. That would leave nothing for future road, stormwater, parks or other public works projects before the tax expires in 2026.

If the court and jail projects are built, "We essentially think the CIT will be expended," said budget director Eric Johnson.

That fact was met Wednesday with some heartburn. Commissioners said they were committed to meeting the sheriff's and chief judges' requests, but chairman Jim Norman suggested not spending as much on the transportation improvements. He made a similar pitch when the plan's projects were approved in August.

Norman said Wednesday's vote was denying future projects that could have been paid for with the CIT.

"That's 19 years of commissions that won't have any ability to designate where any funds will go," Norman said. "I believe future boards should have that right."

The 5-year plan approved Wednesday will bring relief to congested roads throughout the county, said Commissioner Ken Hagan, who introduced the proposal.

It combines road widenings, intersection improvements and rapid bus lines to improve commuting. Commissioner Mark Sharpe, who supported the proposal, said the plan only scratches the surface of what Hillsborough needs to spend on transportation issues.

"It's expensive, but it only becomes more expensive if we wait," he said.

Norman and Brian Blair voted against the transportation plan.

Johnson said in coming years there will be other tax or borrowing sources that could pay for the public safety projects.

He said the jail and courthouse likely will have long life spans and could be financed over a longer period.

"At some point, it's our expectation that the board will extend the CIT," Johnson said.

Hagan said predictions about the CIT running out are based on the "worst-case scenario numbers."

In other action, the board unanimously approveda $15,000 increase in the homestead exemption for low-income seniors. The measure, proposed by Blair, increases the special exemption to $65,000.

The extra exemption won't take effect for a year and is available for seniors who earn less than $24,000.

Reporter Anthony McCartney can be reached at (813) 259-7616 or amccartney@tampatrib.com.