- April 25, 2024
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The proposed half-cent sales tax continues its path toward the ballot after all the 16 city managers approved the default program on funding, announced Volusia County Chair Ed Kelley during the Jan. 18th County Council meeting.
Kelley said agreeing on that had been a "sticking point" until now, but that this will give an opportunity for residents to vote on the issues. The half-cent sales tax, of which 40% is estimated to be paid by visitors and tourists, will help gather funds for infrastructure projects in each city. Kelley said their goal is to have all the cities adopt a resolution to support the sales tax, which they feel it's possible to do.
If implemented on a county-wide level, Kelley said they will have an independent board made up of representatives of every city to make sure the funds are being spent adequately.
"Because who knows better than the community what their needs are?" Kelley said. "And I think that's very important."
Councilwoman Billie Wheeler reassured the public that no money will be spent on Sunrail or Votran. Kelley also mentioned that the sales tax is not a county-driven idea, but that it has been worked on for almost two years at the Volusia County Roundtable of Elected Officials.
The county attorney will be approving the language on the ballot for the sales tax, making sure it is uniform across and that it doesn't go over the 75-word limit. There will be another city manager meeting next week to discuss the proposal.
