County ponders jump in gasoline tax

Commissioners know the timing is bad - gas prices are already rising and the economy remains uncertain - but say the 6-cent per gallon hike is needed to pay for transportation needs.

Pinellas County Commissioners may not find a more difficult time to suggest doubling the county's tax on gasoline.

Yet that's the exact discussion under way.

Faced with increasing complaints about traffic, a growing list of countywide transportation demands and limited resources to pay for them, commissioners see few alternatives but to levy an additional 6 cents on a gallon of gasoline - the maximum allowed by state law.

The proposed effort comes as gas prices have jumped 12 cents per gallon in the past month and 20 cents since June.

It also has demanded some intergovernmental diplomacy. Relations continue to sour with city leaders, who would share in the proceeds and are demanding a bigger slice of the potential tax revenue.

Add to that an unstable economy, a tenuous job market and highways of gas-guzzling SUVs, and county officials admit they are taking on a daunting task.

"If you can tell me someone who can predict world oil markets, we'll revise our schedule," County Administrator Steve Spratt said. "It's never easy to go out and talk about a tax. That's absolutely understandable. But on the other hand, we hear loud and clear that people want things done with congestion. Therein lies the conflict."

The commission tentatively is set to vote on the tax Nov. 18. A supermajority of five of the seven members is needed to pass it. If that happens, residents would start to pay the new tax in 2005.

County officials estimate a $505.3-million need over the next 20 years to pay for a variety of improvements that include widening roads, rehabilitating bridges, synchronizing traffic signals and other major traffic enhancements.

Among them is the proposed Roosevelt Expressway connecting U.S. 19 and Interstate 275 near St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport. The county would direct about $36.8-million of the new gas tax revenue to that project.

Pinellas County residents already pay a 6-cent county gas tax. Factor in state, federal and other taxes, and that means 45 cents is added to every gallon of gas. Some members of Congress are pushing for an increase in the federal gas tax.

The additional 6-cent county tax would bring in about $3.8-million for each penny, or about $23-million a year for as long as 20 years, according to county estimates.

Revenue from 5 cents would be split with the county's 24 cities. The sixth cent is collected entirely by the county.

Commission Chairwoman Karen Seel recognizes people do not enjoy paying more for gas and the timing is inopportune. But the money would go toward reducing traffic, an issue that often tops the list of complaints she hears.

"From what I hear, if these are projects that will enhance the roadways and improve the quality of life, I think there is a willingness to pay for it," Seel said. "Even with the current climate with gas prices."

When commissioners began discussing the tax option in June, the average price of gas in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater area was $1.43 a gallon, according to travel organization AAA.

Now, that average price is $1.62.

Some people drive an extra mile to save a penny or two on gas. Others spend $46 to fill the tank of a Humvee.

At the RaceTrac gas station on Gulf-to-Bay, where the price per gallon was just below $1.58, drivers offered a variety of opinions.

Greg Geathers, a Clearwater man who runs a pressure washing business, said he would support the tax.

He recently moved to Pinellas from Atlanta and has noticed the need for road improvements.

"The way I see it, you've got to have it," he said. "If you don't have (improved roads), you can't work or go anywhere."

But Mickey Mathias, a retired Clearwater woman, said county officials already take too much of her money.

"I think it's bad," she said. "It's just another way to gouge the people for gas money."

Hoping to head off controversy, county officials have begun a public information campaign.

They are meeting with city managers and public works officials from Pinellas' 24 cities. They also are making presentations to city commissions and will hold three public information sessions, the first set for Sept. 22 at Countryside High School.

Seel said the commission's Nov. 18 vote could be pushed back until December or even January, to add more time for public input. Another option would be a countywide referendum.

"I don't want to seem like a naysayer, but I'm trying to be realistic here," Commissioner Barbara Sheen Todd said this week when the board met. "I don't see how you are going to accomplish all this by Nov. 18."

Perhaps the toughest obstacle is deciding how to divide the potential revenue.

Under the current tax, the county receives 75 percent, or about $16.3-million. The cities split the rest. Mayors for many of those cities say that allotment is unfair. They have been trying to negotiate a better deal with the county, and at one point suggested swapping percentages and dividing the money by population. Now the mayors seem to be leaning toward a 50-50 split.

"We are fully aware the county maintains some of the major arteries," said Tarpon Springs Mayor Frank DiDonato, who serves as chairman of Pinellas County's mayors council. "But the cities maintain a fair amount, too."

Legally, the county does not need the cities' permission to go forward.

But Seel said commissioners are hoping for endorsements from their colleagues.

Seel said the county wants to see the cities' project lists before deciding how to split the money.

"We are not just going to hand over a couple million dollars," Seel said. "I don't think we want to write a blank check without knowing how they are going to spend the money."

But St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker said before cities draw up such lists, they must decide if the tax is needed.

"There seems to be an assumption of some that, "Yes we are going to do the tax and how much will it be split,"' Baker said. "I think we need to take a step back and see if it is appropriate and (then decide) what would be the split."

6:30 p.m. Sept. 22 - Countryside High School, 3000 State Road 580, Clearwater

6:30 p.m. Oct. 2 - Largo High School, 410 Missouri Ave., Largo

6:30 p.m. Oct. 9 - Boca Ciega High School, 924 58th St. S, St. Petersburg

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