St. Johns County voters will decide in the fall whether to raise the sales tax to pay for roads, parks, libraries and other needs of a growing population.
County commissioners voted Tuesday to put the question on the November ballot. They said they need millions of dollars to catch up on infrastructure improvements.
If approved, the sales tax would increase to 7.5% from 6.5%. The higher tax would last for 10 years beginning Jan. 1, 2023.
Sixteen of Florida's 67 counties — including Clay and Duval — already have a 7.5% sales tax, according to the Florida Department of Revenue.
The tax is a combination of Florida's 6% state sales tax plus any local surcharge. Only one county, Citrus, has no local sales tax. Six counties, including St. Johns, impose the smallest amount: 0.5%.
St. Johns is one of the fastest-growing counties in the U.S., putting stress on roads, schools and law enforcement. The county's population has grown about 44% in the last 10 years, and there are no signs of slowing down.
The county says the 1% sales tax increase would generate $49.6 million a year for the county, almost $3 million for St. Augustine and $1.3 million for St. Augustine Beach.
County commissioners developed a list of potential projects that could be funded. They are intended as examples, with final approval coming later after public input.
The tax would apply to the first $5,000 of any purchase subject to the sales tax. Several purchases are exempt, including certain groceries and prescription drugs.
All of the money generated would go toward infrastructure needs, the county says. The money could not be used for government operations — for example, to pay library staff.
More information about the proposal is available here.
