The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners took a final vote on proposed changes to the Community Investment Tax (C.I.T.), which has funded infrastructure, public facilities, schools and public safety projects since 1996. In a 5 – 2 vote, commissioners approved placing on the November ballot a 15-year renewal of C.I.T. and funding for education dropped from 25% to 5%. “We are disappointed with the cut to education and the lack of vision,” said Dr. Bob Rohrlack, President & CEO of the Tampa Bay Chamber.
The vote came after members of the Tampa Bay Chamber and its Board of Directors participated in the public commentary portion of the meeting, urging the renewal of C.I.T. with no changes to education funding and a minimum term of 20 years. Adding to Rohrlack’s comments were Ed Narain, Chair-Elect of the Chamber Board of Directors; Board Member Jeff Chernoff of Insurance & Trust; Board Member Dr. Sarah Combs of University Area CDC; Chamber Member Ron Weaver; and Avril Stinson, Vice President of Economic Inclusion & Leadership Programs at the Chamber.
Chair-Elect Ed Narain telling commissioners during public commentary: “Taxes aren’t just for when it helps a few individuals. It’s actually for the greater good… This is not a new tax. It’s something that is already in place and it’s something that’s paid for by residents and visitors to our region. To propose a term of anything less than 20 years is going to make it very difficult to get the bonding, financing for new schools that we need. It’s also going to shift the burden from visitors and sales taxes to homeowners and property taxes. The C.I.T. is very far from broken, but with these proposed changes the future of our children will be.”
Board Member Jeff Chernoff telling the board and the audience that the business community as well as schools would be impacted by reductions to C.I.T.: “As an insurance and finance advisor, I travel to all parts of the county and we are hurting. A lot of our residents, young professionals, are leaving because of our lack of transportation options. I encourage you all to reauthorize C.I.T. at 30 years and 25% funding for education.
Board Member Dr. Sarah Combs stating: “Please invest in the education of our youth and the future of our community.”
Chamber President & CEO stating: “We encourage the commission to make decisions with long-term implications in mind. Every part of our county is experiencing rapid growth, especially the east side of the county. This is an investment in our future… Our school district needs the investment, in the long-term, so they can support what’s happening in our community, as folks continue to come here.”
With today’s 5 – 2 commission vote in favor of a 15 year C.I.T. renewal and 5% going to education, Hillsborough County residents will have the final say at the ballot. In November, voters can either renew C.I.T. with these reductions or allow it to sunset in 2026.