TAMPA, Fla. — Hillsborough County voters will get a chance to extend a 30-year-old sales tax on the ballot in November. 

The money from the sales tax is used to pay for essentials in the county, like road projects and other services.

What You Need To Know

  •  Hillsborough County voters have a chance to vote on a half-cent sales tax

  •  Originally passed in 1996, the tax was approved for 30 years

  •  Officials say the money has been used in the community for years

Now county officials are making their pitch to residents to extend the tax. 

For the past 28 years, people spending money in Hillsborough County have paid a half-cent sales tax as part of what’s called a community investment tax. But in November, Hillsborough County residents will decide if they want to extend the sales tax, or end it.

In 1996, residents voted to add the half-cent community investment tax for 30 years and it expires in 2026.

“A lot of individuals don’t even know that they’ve been paying this half-cent sales tax for the last 30 years, but everyone knows that they have benefitted from what it has paid for,” Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said during a press conference Friday.

One by one, other government leaders at the event explained the benefit of the CIT tax.

“I think every fire truck and police car we have in the city of Temple Terrace has been bought with CIT money,” Temple Terrace Mayor Andy Ross said.

Hillsborough County School Board Chair Karen Perez said it helps schools too.

“Through 2022, Hillsborough public schools received more than $655 million, which has been invested in our schools,” she said.

Government leaders said the money funds vital equipment and projects at fire stations, roads and public utilities — with the bulk of the funding going to the county and the rest distributed to the city of Tampa, Plant City and Temple Terrace. The current CIT tax gives 25% to schools, but if voters approve the extension, that number will decrease to just 5%.

Castor said if their proposal to extend the CIT tax for another 15 years isn’t approved, the money will have to come from somewhere.

“It’s probably gonna result in an increase in taxes in some other form," she said. "More than likely property taxes."

One of the projects money from the sales tax will pay for is at the county’s stadiums. According to Hillsborough County documents, the funds projected or proposed for Raymond James Stadium and Amalie Arena can only be spent on capital maintenance and repairs and not on new structures or facilities.

But with the current state of the economy, some residents said they weren't on board with extending the sales tax.

“I just think we’re paying enough," said Hillsborough County resident Paula Lascola. "It’s hard to make ends meet right now, and I don’t think a lot of people can afford it.” 

The following is the language Hillsborough County voters will see on the ballot in November:

“Shall Hillsborough County renew the existing local government infrastructure surtax, known locally as the community investment half-cent sales tax, commencing December 1, 2026, through December 31, 2041, to be shared with the municipalities and the School Board to fund infrastructure for transportation and public works, public safety, public facilities, public utilities and public schools?”