BROWARD COUNTY, FL – A Penny At Work, an informational program to educate Broward County voters about two (2) one-half percent (or 0.5 cent) sales surtax questions, has been launched in advance of the November 8 election. This educational effort includes a dedicated website with an array of pertinent information to ensure that voters have the necessary tools to make informed choices.
Voters can visit www.APennyAtWork.com to view the language that will be on the November ballot plus learn about the plans set forth by Broward County and each of its cities to utilize the collected funds. Included on the website are a list of proposed projects by city, frequently asked questions and answers and links to each city’s local events calendar to list presentations pertaining to the sales tax questions. The online educational materials for the November 8 election were provided by local governments and are available in English, Creole, Portuguese and Spanish.
“We are happy to share the details of the upcoming sales tax levy as we want our residents to know what they are voting on,” said Lois Wexler, Broward County Commissioner for District 5. “This informational program will help voters make decisions by better understanding the details of how the collected funds would be spent by the County and individual cities, if approved by the voters.”
On the ballot, voters will first have the opportunity to vote on a half-cent sales surtax with funds earmarked to Broward County. These monies would be allocated to countywide transportation projects including traffic signal synchronization, expanded senior mobility and enhanced transit options.
The voters second opportunity is to vote on the other half-cent sales surtax, which would provide additional funds for infrastructure improvements within each of Broward’s cities. These projects can include, but are not limited to, repairing damaged streets and replacing aging water pipes to protect our water quality and prevent street flooding. Both of these questions must receive a majority of yes votes or they will both fail.
“We encourage all residents to learn more about this proposed sales tax and how it affects them,” said City of Weston Mayor Daniel J. Stermer. “There are needs within all of our cities and we encourage residents to review them.”
The Broward County sales tax is currently 6%, which is the state sales tax rate. If the 1% total additional surtax is approved in November 2016, the total sales tax rate would increase to 7% and will go into effect for 30 years beginning January 1, 2017.
Across the country in cities such as Atlanta and Los Angeles, voters are being asked to consider similar questions. Palm Beach County voters will also be asked to approve a sales tax increase for their county this November.
