Our Roads. Our Parks. Our Future...
A half cent for
roads and recreation
with every dollar benefiting Hernando County
Hernando County has some of the lowest property taxes in Florida, and a Half Cent Sales Tax could help make them even lower. It is a sufficient way to confirm every person, including tourists and visitors, contribute to the betterment of our community.
The Half cent sales tax supports:
Recreation
Fun Fact: Ernie Weaver Park Improvements are on the approved projects list for the Sales Tax Referendum!
Roadways
Fun Fact: County Line Road 4 lane expansion is on the approved projects list for the Sales Tax Referendum!
Ballot language for 2022 general election
OPTIONAL 1/2 CENT SALES SURTAX REFENDUM
TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR HERNANDO COUNTY’S RESIDENTS, SHALL HERNANDO COUNTY LEVY A 1/2-CENT SALES TAX, THE PROCEEDS OF WHICH SHALL BE EXCLUSIVELY USED TO REDUCE TRAFFIC CONGESTION, TO CONSTRUCT AND IMPROVE ROADWAYS, AND TO CREATE AND IMPROVE PARKS AND OTHER RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, WITH HERNANDO COUNTY’S USE OF THE PROCEEDS TO BE SUBJECT TO CITIZEN OVERSIGHT?
________ YES – FOR THE 1/2-CENT SALES TAX
________ NO – AGAINST THE 1/2-CENT SALES TAX
Why does the gas tax not provide enough funding for our roadway and recreation 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 (as shown below). This is due to the fact that revenue generated from the gas tax is by gallon and not by ($) dollar amounts.
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. (as shown below).
- For example, according to the Argonne National Laboratory, a Division of the U.S. Department of Energy, “A Total of 72,899 plug-in vehicles were sold during March 2022 in the United States, up 37.5% from the sales in March 2021”.
Project areas:
- Intersection Improvements
- Roadway Expansion
- Park Improvements
- Park Expansion
Intersection Improvement
Numerous Intersections throughout the County are not adequately equipped to handle increased traffic. Intersection Improvement Projects will increase the amount of turn lanes to many of Hernando County's busiest intersections.
Roadway Expansion
Multiple roadways throughout Hernando County, such as County Line Road, Barclay Avenue, and others, need to be widened to reduce traffic congestion and improve traffic flow.
Park Improvements
Multiple Parks across Hernando County, such as Ernie Weaver Park, Kennedy Park, and others need to be renovated to improve the quality of life in our county.
Park Expansion
Due to a growing population, additional parks and recreation opportunities are needed, particularly for our youth. Currently, many youth softball and baseball leagues are forced to play late into the night due to the lack of availability of sports fields at our parks.