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Tax hike may be on ballot
By SAUNDRA AMRHEIN, Times Staff Writer
NEW PORT RICHEY -- Needs. Everyone agrees they exist. But how to pay for them? That decision could be left to voters. In a meeting Thursday called "historic" for its unity, representatives from the county, cities and the school district agreed to ask Pasco voters if the sales tax should be increased by 1 cent. The county commission must cast a final vote, likely this spring, on putting the question on the ballot in the November 2004 general elections. With voter approval, the tax would take effect Jan. 1, 2005. It would add 1 cent to the current 6-cent tax and last for 10 years. The county and the school district would split the proceeds 45 percent each, with the cities sharing the remaining 10 percent. Commissioner Pete Altman and other officials stressed the importance of getting public feedback. They also said they need a detailed list of projects that could be funded through the tax increase and be of benefit to a wide varity of people. School Board officials said their needs are as obvious as the portable classrooms perched outside school buildings. "It's not a wish list, it is a needs list," said School Board member Margaret Whaley. "We're passing this to house students," Schools Superintendent John Long said. Many officials took turns repeating each other on the importance of another need: unity. "I think there is strength in numbers," County Commissioner Ann Hildebrand said during the meeting at the West Pasco Government Center, where 18 elected officials and about 20 other government employees gathered. "What we're looking at here is an investment in our future for our quality of life," Hildebrand said. But County Commissioner Steve Simon halted what was becoming a back-slapping affair by cautioning his fellow civil servants on using words like "market" and "sale" of this plan. "(Those words) imply a slant or tilt," Simon said. He complained that officials were promoting the idea before outlining ways to spend the money. "Nobody has their plan done yet," he said. County Commissioner Pat Mulieri, who opposed the ballot initiative in the past, agreed with Simon. "We don't have to all "rah, rah rah,' but I will be part of the information process," Mulieri said. School Board members said they hope to inform the public about their needs, which they said are more easily outlined than those of the county. The district has opened 10 schools since 1998 and still uses 7,000 seats in portable classrooms for students. The group of elected officials intends to hold hearings to get public feedback on how to use the extra $31-million that would be generated annually by the extra penny on the dollar if the ballot gets on the ballot and passes. Also, at Long's urging, the group agreed to allow him and County Administrator John Gallagher to work with the city managers to come up with nominees for a citizens committee. The committee would be made up of parents, retired residents and business members. It would promote a final plan on how to spend funds to the general public. The group will meet again to sign off on the committee members. Earlier this month, county officials released a general list of how the money could be spent: on parks, libraries and for habitat protection. "We're going to have to run this like a good political campaign," Long said. -- Saundra Amrhein covers Pasco County government. She can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6244, or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6244. Her e-mail address is amrhein@sptimes.com .
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