7/2/2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

• A county -wide referendum must be held to extend the optional sales tax. The public hearing today is being held to approve the attached Ordinance in order to place the issue of the sales tax question on the November 5, 2002 ballot. The official ballot and question will be as follows: NOVEMBER 5, 2002 OFFICIAL BALLOT INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA ONE CENT SALES TAX EXTENSION SHALL THE DURATION OF THE ONE -CENT SALES SURTAX LEVIED IN INDIAN RIVER COUNTY BE EXTENDED AN ADDITIONAL FIFTEEN YEARS AND SEVEN MONTHS FROM MAY 31, 2004, ITS CURRENTLY SCJJI DUJLED EXPIRATION DATE, TO DECEMBER 31, 2019 TO FINANCE, PLAN, AND CONSTRUCT INFRASTRUCTURE INCLUDING ROADS, BRIDGES, JAIL EXPANSION, LIBRARIES, FIRE/PARAMEDIC STATIONS, STORMWATER IMPROVEMENTS, RECREATION FACILITIES, COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDINGS, CLOSURE OF LANDFILLS, AND ANY OTHER COUNTY AND MUNICIPALITY INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS ALLOWED BY LAW? FOR the extension of the one -cent sales tax AGAINST the extension of the one -cent sales tax Assistant County Administrator Joe Baird emphasized that this is a very important revenue source for the County's capital improvement program. Without this source the County would have to rely more extensively on ad valorem taxes. The Chairman opened the public hearing and asked if anyone wished to be heard regarding this matter. Guy Barber, 6290 105th Place, Sebastian, spoke in opposition to the plan and asked the public to vote against it in November because he felt there was a lot of irresponsible fiscal management taking place. He thought the plan should be brought back in 2004 when there would perhaps be more fiscally responsible persons making the decisions. He stated that the capital outlay per school student in Connecticut is $37; the national average is $877 per student; while Indian River County spends $1,077 per student. JULY 2, 2002 -45- ro •