A proposed campaign would advertise projects funded by Penny for Pasco to ensure accountability.
By BRIDGET HALL GRUMET
Published April 10, 2004
NEW PORT RICHEY - It was among the most commonly asked questions before voters approved the Penny for Pasco last month: How will residents know how the extra sales tax money is being spent?
Under a proposal coming before the County Commission on Wednesday, officials would spread the word in every imaginable way:
On signs posted at road projects paid for with the sales tax revenue.
On stickers attached to sheriff's patrol cars purchased with the Penny.
On small signs at the bus transit shelters and conservation lands purchased with sales tax dollars.
In quarterly segments on the county's Bright House Networks cable station (Channel 19 on the west side and Channel 2 on the east side).
In news releases to civic associations and local media.
The Penny for Pasco Communications Plan was created by the county's Tourist Development Office.
"I think it's good to show where that penny is going, to say, "Hey, this is what we're doing,' " Commissioner Ann Hildebrand said. "To display our progress is a very good thing to do."
Of course the projects won't appear before the extra sales tax revenue starts rolling in Jan. 1. The 1-cent-on-the-dollar increase will raise about $437-million over its 10-year life span.
After setting aside about a quarter of the revenue to pay for cutting the School Board's property tax rate, the county and the school district will each get 45 percent of the remaining money. The cities will split the other 10 percent.
The money will pay for road improvements, conservation land, new and expanded schools, and other facilities - but not government workers' salaries.
Ann Bunting, head of the Citizens Against the Penny for Pasco, said the proposed publicity campaign sounds more like an attempt to justify the tax increase. Although the tax passed March 9 with 52 percent of the vote, Bunting said, the turnout that day was only 29 percent of registered voters.
"To me, that sounds like a marketing tool to convince those that don't agree with it that (the extra sales tax revenue) is doing something useful," Bunting said. "But of course it doesn't show that the Penny was necessary, and it does not show that the projects could have been paid for by the gasoline tax, or by impact fee money, or by the money that was already in the budget."
But Hildebrand said the county simply wants to make good on its promise to tell residents how the money is being spent.
For example, the proposed Penny page on the county's Web site would show the amount of sales tax revenue collected each quarter, the timeline for completing Penny-related projects, the amount of conservation land purchased with sales tax money, and pictures of "major accomplishments." Residents would be able to e-mail or call the county if they have questions.
"We talked about that issue (of accountability to the public) while we were debating the Penny for Pasco," Hildebrand said. "I just think it's a good idea."
- Bridget Hall Grumet 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 bhall@sptimes.com
