Seminole County officials say penny tax renewal will help with flood mitigation

SEMINOLE COUNTY – On Monday, Seminole County officials unveiled a reconstructed trail loop at Lake Mills Park. Officials touted the recreational area, thanking the penny sales tax for making it possible.

What You Need To Know

• The penny sales tax is a 1% sales tax, amounting to one penny in tax revenue for every one dollar spent by consumers in Seminole County
• The tax has been in place since 1991, and over the years has accounted for $1.8 billion in revenue county-wide, according to officials
• The tax is up for renewal on November's ballot, and it will be up to voters on whether the tax stays in place
• County officials say the tax helps pay for a variety of infrastructure projects, and if renewed is slated to fund flood and stormwater projects

Seminole County officials are in the middle of an informational campaign, hoping to educate voters on the penny sales tax. According to officials, the tax generated $101 million in 2022 alone.

“You can actually see when you’re leaving one county and coming into Seminole County, you can see the pavement changes,” said Commissioner Bob Dallari of Seminole County District 1. “You can see you have more trails. We have more parks. That’s all happening because of this initiative that we have with our citizens.”

Officials say they estimate about 20% to 30% of the tax is paid by those living outside of Seminole County, like tourists or individuals passing through.