Categories: Brevard County Public Schools

Commission To Consider Brevard County Gas Tax Tonight

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VIERA, Florida — A Transportation Advisory Board is recommending that Brevard County Commissioners approve an additional 6 cent per gallon gas tax that would take effect January 1, 2015.

The Advisory Board also recommended that the County Commission allow the impact fee moratorium to sunset as scheduled on December 31, 2014 and that the Commission place on the November 2014 ballot a referendum for an additional 1/2 cent sales tax to further fund transportation infrastructure.

The Advisory Board estimates that the gas tax hike would generate $7.8 million, the half-cent sales tax would generate $17.56 million, and that the revenue from impact fees would fluctuate from year to year.

The Advisory Board stated in its proposal that the tax hikes are needed because transportation infrastructure projects have been underfunded for several years, leaving a “legacy remediation bill” of $11.86 million.

It estimated that the average household cost for a half-cent sales tax is $67.50 annually. The 1/2 cent sales tax for roads is in addition to the 1/2 cent sales tax that Brevard Public Schools will also place on the November ballot.

The County Commission is scheduled to consider the proposed tax hikes on Thursday, May 1st at 5 p.m. in the Brevard County Government Complex in Viera, Florida.

Earlier this month, the County Commission voted to increase sewer fees and will also decide whether to increase fire fees later this year.

The Blue Ribbon Panel was made up of the following Brevard County members:

1.) Residential Builder;
2.) Commercial Builder;
3.) Space Coast Association of Realtors, Executive Board Member;
4.) Cocoa Beach Regional Chamber of Commerce, Executive Board Member;
5.) Melbourne Chamber of Commerce, Executive Board Member;
6.) Titusville Chamber of Commerce, Executive Board Member;
7.) Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce, Executive Board Member;
8.) Tourist Development Council, Executive Board Member;
9.) Brevard County Bar Association, Executive Board Member;
10.) Economic Development Commission, Executive Board Member;
11.) Banking Industry Professional;
12.) Hospital Chief Executive Officer or staff designee;
13.) College Professor, Finance/Business/Economics;
14.) Owner of Large Business (100+ employees;
15.), Environmental Industry Professional
16.) DRI (Development of Regional Impact) Representative;
17.) Regular Citizen Member;
18.) Melbourne Area Realtor; and
19.) MIRA (Merritt Island Redevelopment Area) Representative.