Whole Cent Hernando
Law Enforcement, Public Safety, Transportation, Economic Development
About Whole Cent
Hernando County has some of the lowest property taxes in Florida, and a Whole Cent Sales Tax could make them even lower. It is a sufficient way to confirm that every person, including tourists and visitors, contribute to the betterment of the community.
Who Will Pay for the Whole Cent Sales Tax?
Any person who makes a purchase in Hernando County. Goods such as medication, fuel, and groceries would be exempt from the Whole Cent Sales Tax. Tourists and visitors to the County will account for 30% of the annual funding from the Whole Cent Sales Tax. The Whole Cent Sales Tax will only be collected on the first $5,000 of large purchases of tangible personal property, or a maximum of $50 on a single purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why will the Whole Cent Sales Tax be in effect for 29 years?
If a 10 or 15 year sales tax is established and it is not renewed, project debt will still have to be repaid. With a 29 year sales tax, this ensures these projects will be funded by sales tax rather than property tax.
Why does gas tax not provide enough funding for transportation needs?
Hernando County only collects fifteen (15) cents on every gallon of regular gasoline sold in Hernando County. Despite rising gas prices in recent years, the revenue generated from the gas tax has remained relatively constant. This is due to the fact that revenue generated from the gas tax is by gallon and not by ($) dollar amounts.
Hernando County receives approximately $12 million annually from gas tax. Currently, the money is spent on road resurfacing, signal maintenance, street signs, other transportation needs.
Here are some reasons why the revenue from the gas tax has remained constant in the past and will DECREASE in the future:
- Gas powered automotive vehicles in the United States have become more efficient allowing citizens to drive more miles on less gas consumption.
- More hybrid and electric vehicles have been produced by American manufacturers and purchased by American citizens.
- For example, according to the Argonne National Laboratory, a Division of the U.S. Department of Energy, “In July 2024, 132,114 HEVs (44,006 cars and 88,108 LTs) were sold in the United States, up 27.3% from the sales in July 2023.”
What is the Whole Cent Sales Tax referendum?
The ballot will read:
SHALL A ONE-CENT SALES SURTAX BE LEVIED, BEGINNING IN 2025 AND CONTINUING THROUGH 2054, AND SHARED BETWEEN HERNANDO COUNTY AND THE CITY OF BROOKSVILLE, with the proceeds to be used to fund infrastructure and public facilities, as defined by the law, and overseen by a citizen committee, that relates to:
- LAW ENFORCEMENT and criminal justice
- ROADS and other transportation facilities
- PUBLIC SAFETY
- WATER and WASTEWATER UTILITIES
__ FOR the one-cent sales tax
__ AGAINST the one-cent sales tax
How can Hernando County residents be assured that taxes are going to projects that help the community?
Florida State law requires that any revenue generated from the sales tax be used on approved projects by the Hernando County Board of County Commissioners. A Citizens’ Oversight Committee shall be created as a safeguard to ensure proper expenditures of funds once the Referendum is passed.
What voting information do I need to know?
How to register to vote and where to find voting information:
Visit www.hernandovotes.gov to find information on how to register to vote, polling locations, what to bring, and more.
When will voters decide on sales tax?
Hernando County residents will vote on Whole Cent Sales Tax on November 5th, 2024
Please Note: The Whole Cent Sales Tax referendum can be found on the backside of the voter ballot.
Why do impact fees not provide enough funding for infrastructure?
Hernando County uses impact fees to buy property, design projects, fund grant matches, and fund partial capital costs. Therefore, impact fees can only be used to pay for a portion of capital improvement projects. A Capital Project (i.e., road expansion, recreation improvement, etc.) is typically paid for in the following format:
Capital Project: Impact Fee + Grant + Revenue Source (Sales Tax, Gas Tax, Ad-Valorem Tax)
What ordinance allowed the Whole Cent Sales Tax to be added onto the 2024 ballot?
Ordinance NO. 2024-06 was approved at the March 26, 2024 Hernando County Board of County Commissioners meeting.
Was an audit completed on the Whole Cent Sales Tax?
Yes, the audit for the Whole Cent Sales Tax was completed on August 29, 2024.
“Based upon the procedures performed and the results obtained, the audit objectives have been met. We conclude that, except for the findings discussed in the report and based upon the work performed, the departments that expend funds have sufficient policies and procedures in place, supported by appropriate documentation, reports, monitoring tools, and personnel to address the statutory criteria defined in s. 212.055(11) Florida Statutes.”
Click here to view the audit.
