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Politics
What would a Penny buy?
By Times staff
Published March 12, 2007
Pinellas County voters will decide Tuesday whether to renew the Penny for Pinellas when it expires in 2010. The sales tax, an additional 1 cent on every dollar above the state's 6-cent sales tax, is projected to collect an estimated $1.9-billion between 2010 and 2020 for capital projects such as roads and heavy equipment. Here's a look at how local governments plan to spend their share of the money if the Penny is extended by voters: Tarpon Springs Total expenditures - $28-million - New roads and improvements to existing roads. - New pumper truck for Station 71. - Replacement ladder truck. - Police vehicles. - Recreation sports complex. - New City Hall. - New Fire Station 71 north of the Anclote River. Oldsmar - Alternative water supply - $7.5-million. - Oldsmar parks connection - $500,000. - Restoration of Oldsmar Bank building - $2-million. - Bicentennial Park Community Center - $2-million. - Douglas Road construction - $2.2-million. - Shore Drive East improvements - $2-million. - Mobbly Bayou Wilderness Preserve - $200,000. - Reserve for future projects - $889,000. Palm Harbor - Expansion of the Palm Harbor Community Activity Center - $2-million. - Proposed gymnasium - $6-million. - Athletic field lights at Putnam Park, Palm Field and Sunderman Complex - $1-million. -10-acre athletic complex - $3-million. -A shelter on the Pinellas Trail at Florida Avenue and Alt. U.S. 19 - $250,000. - Improvements to Alt. U.S. 19 between Tampa and Klosterman roads - $750,000. Dunedin - Michigan Boulevard reconstruction - $3-million. - Pinehurst Road reconstruction - $3-million. - San Christopher Drive reconstruction - $3-million. - Local drainage issues - $11.7-million. - Residential street reconstruction - $2-million. - Bicycle/pedestrian trails to connect parks - $800,000. - Environmental Education Center - $2-million. - New library - $2-million. - MLK Center debt service - $201,530. - Community Center debt service - $10-million. - Fire Administration office building expansion - $326,000. - Government consolidation/downtown parking/revitalization - $6-million. - Communications equipment upgrade - $150,000. - Shapiro Property debt service - $331,620. County projects* - Reconstruction of 118th Avenue to expressway standards - $70-million. - Railroad crossing improvements, including at Hercules Avenue, 49th Street, Belleair Road and 54th Avenue - $5-million. - Sidewalk improvements, including 113th Street, 131st Street, 142nd Avenue, Highland Avenue and Belleair Road - $10-million. - Improve capacity at intersections, including East Lake Road, McMullen-Booth Road, 49th Street, 131st Street and Belcher Road - $44.5-million. - Bridge rehabilitation including Beckett Bascule Bridge, Lake Tarpon Outfall Bridge, Crosswinds Canal Bridge, Stephanie's Channel Bridge Replacement, Orange Avenue Bridge, Ozona-Tampa Road Bridge, Shore Drive Bridge and Westwind Canal Bridge - $50-million. - Palm Harbor & East Lake Fire Control station and equipment improvements - $6-million - Improvements for Palm Harbor and East Lake library facilities - $10-million. - Recreation improvements for unincorporated communities including Palm Harbor, East Lake, High Point, Tierra Verde and Lealman/Joe's Creek - $16-million. - Brooker Creek and Weedon Island Preserve improvements - $7-million. * List excludes countywide measures that don't earmark money for specific local projects.
[Last modified March 12, 2007, 07:31:33]
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by Fred
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03/13/07 08:26 AM
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The county commission is wasteful and greedy. They have lost control and are doing everything to make life unbearable in Pinellas County. All of them need to be voted out and new blood come in. The penny is just one more greed driven tax. Vote NO!
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by John
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03/12/07 11:23 PM
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I hope the Times remember all the same reasons for supporting this regressive tax if the Florida Legislature puts the 2.5% in exchange for no property tax proposal on the ballot. Think of all the homeowners that will be saved from being driven out.
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by Andy
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03/12/07 10:15 PM
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So what did they do with the other bazillion dollars they got over the past couple years in exhorbitant property taxes? Maybe some quarter-million dollar salaries?
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by Sam
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03/12/07 07:07 PM
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Why am I being asked to vote yes on the Penny for Pinellas in 2007? I mean the tax doesn't even expire till 2010. So, ask me again in 2009...as for now, I am voting No.
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by kevin
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03/12/07 12:15 PM
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None of these things directly affects me...no foreign aid tax.
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by Tony
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03/12/07 10:04 AM
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How about $100 for my kids clothes
$75 for Dr. visits
$80 upkeep to my home.
Stop this tax. Pinellas sales tax is 16% higher than in Pasco and Hillsboro. When are we going to stand up and say NO MORE TAXES? Tomorrow is the day to start. Go VOTE!
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by Bland
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03/12/07 09:44 AM
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Will the Times be as supportive of a proposed referendum to replace the property taxes for homestead properties with a 2.5% sales tax? The same arguments regarding who pays are just as valid. Over 1/3 paid by visitors, etc. Why not wait? Vote No.
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