HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. -- In Hillsborough County, voters approved to raise taxes in two separate referendums. One is a 1 percent increase for transportation. The other is a half-cent increase for schools.
The transportation referendum paves the way for a massive overhaul of transit in Hillsborough County.
“This is about solving a problem in a common-sense way, and we are thrilled that the people of Hillsborough County got on board to do it," said Tyler Hudson, who led the initiative.
The money will be used to expand public transit, improve roads and bridges and fix potholes. The 1 percent sales tax increase is expected to rake in about $276 million every year.
Down the road, Hillsborough County schools were celebrating a win of their own Tuesday night.
“This is what it feels like when a plan comes together,” said Jeff Eakins, superintendent of schools for Hillsborough County.
Voters passed a half-cent sales tax increase, which is expected to pull in $138 million per year. The district will use the money for new air conditioners and other property improvements.
“People care about education and care about their public schools in Hillsborough County,” Eakins said. “That's one thing we all learned.”
Hillsborough's new sales tax rate will be the highest in the state at 8.5 percent. Tuesday's big winners said it's money well spent.
“I can tell them they're going to get a huge return on this investment,” Eakins explained.
The new tax rates kick in on Jan. 1.
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