Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Officials, residents will get primer on Penny for Pinellas

The county administrator will visit on Nov. 1 to answer questions about the sales tax.

By ANNE LINDBERG
Published October 22, 2006

Even though the election is still more than four months away, Lealman Community Association leaders believe it's never too early to become acquainted with the issues.

They have invited Pinellas County Administrator Steve Spratt to their Nov. 1 meeting to talk about renewing the Penny for Pinellas sales tax and to answer questions about the extension. The public is invited to attend.

It's not too early to begin thinking about extension, which goes before voters in March, because it will take time to educate voters, said Ray Neri, the association's president. Voters need to hear about the pros and cons several times before the issues become clear, he said.

"If they're better informed, they can make better decisions," Neri said.

The need for education is especially true with the cities battling the county over the recommendations of the Charter Review Commission.

Those items are scheduled to be on the Nov. 7 ballot unless a judge rules otherwise.

"Even the cities are strongly for the Penny (but) they've kind of muddied the waters," Neri said. "They're beating the county up and making the electorate lose faith in those elected officials, and now those elected officials have to go and ask for this."

Also roiling the waters is anger over high taxes. Neri said it would be bad for property owners to vote against the Penny as part of an anti-tax backlash. Because the Penny is added sales tax, tourists and others from outside Pinellas contribute to the tax base, he said.

Lealman, he said, has benefited greatly from the Penny in the form of a new fire station, park improvements and the development of a new park.

Neri plans to ask the association board to formally endorse the Penny renewal at its meeting Wednesday.

[Last modified October 22, 2006, 07:52:27]