Hernando voters pass half-cent sales tax earmarked for education

Supporters are calling it a victory for Hernando County schools.

Voters have overwhelmingly passed a half-cent sales tax earmarked for education.

The Supervisor of Elections Office reports with all 37 precincts reporting the vote was 'Yes' 60 percent and 'No' 39 percent.

The money will be used to fix up schools that administrators said are badly in need of repairs.

The tax is expected to raise about $8.5 million a year.

School leaders said if it had failed, some programs could have been cut to pay for the repairs.

Supporters held a victory party Tuesday night in Brooksville. They said getting voters to pass a new tax is never easy, but they said this one was important for the future of the county.

They said the sales tax was the best option because visitors will contribute to it as well.

They were also pleased with the voter turnout which was about 21 percent, especially since this was a special election with only one item on the ballot.