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Politics

City, county officials unite on Penny for Pinellas

If the tax is renewed for 10 more years, it could mean $1.9-billion for the county and cities.

By TAMARA El-KHOURY
Published January 17, 2007

Despite last year's political and legal conflicts, officials from Pinellas County and the cities in it are rallying around a penny.

Okay, a whole lot of pennies.

City and county representatives have been meeting for several months to discuss how to educate residents about Penny for Pinellas, a 1-cent sales tax which is up for renewal for another 10 years on the March 13 ballot.

If renewed for the period 2010 to 2020, the sales tax could bring in $1.9-billion toward capital improvement projects.

Last year, city and county officials spent months squabbling over whether changing the county charter would upset the balance of power between the two sides.

In contrast, the Penny for Pinellas is something the county and the cities both benefit from.

"We really see the Penny as a strong reason for us to come together and to build some lasting relationships," said county spokeswoman Marcia Crawley.

County commissioners are making presentations at city council and commission meetings. The county also plans to post about 200 signs near major projects built with the help of Penny for Pinellas.

Proposed projects for various cities are posted on the county's Web site at www.pinellascounty.org/penny. Cities are acting by taking tool-kits provided by the group of county and city representatives and catering it to that city.

For example, Oldsmar created a document available on the city's home page, www.ci.oldsmar.fl.us, describing how Penny for Pinellas directly affects Oldsmar. There's also a link to the county's Web site.

The Oldsmar link tells residents that more than $2-million of Penny money has been earmarked for the city's new library, which is under construction. Penny money, $1.3-million of it, went towards building the city a new fire station and emergency operations center.

On the city's wish list for 2010 to 2020 is an alternative water supply system and the city has proposed spending $7.5-million in Penny for Pinellas revenue on the project.

Without the Penny, the city wouldn't be able to undertake the water treatment plant, a $16.5-millon project, said Oldsmar council member and Mayor-elect Jim Ronecker.

"It's very important," said current Oldsmar Mayor Jerry Beverland. "Let the rest of the county and the snowbirds pay for our infrastructure and our library."

Tourists contribute to a third of the revenue collected from Penny for Pinellas.

Clearwater also has posted information about the Penny for Pinellas on its Web site at www.myclearwater.com/penny.

"You're talking large amounts of dollars that are put back into the community," said Clearwater spokeswoman Joelle Castelli. "The cities and the county, I think it's just natural for them to support the extension of the Penny."

Clearwater officials say money from Penny for Pinellas has helped pay for the city's new library and for the Memorial Causeway Bridge. If voters approve its renewal, it will help fund renovations to Coachman Park and additional beach parking.

Money from Penny for Pinellas accounts for about 75 percent of they county's capital budget, Crawley said. Without it that money would come primarily from property taxes.

So it's not shocking that county and city officials are both supporting the cause.

"Our commissioners would really have some tough decisions to make without the Penny, as well as some of our city leaders," Crawley said.

Tamara El-Khoury can be reached at tel-khoury@sptimes.com or 727 445-4181.

[Last modified January 17, 2007, 07:24:48]