TAMPA, Florida – For James Castineda, every penny counts right now.
“Of course, like most Americans in this country, we all live from check to check,” he said.
So the father from Tampa has two big decisions to make when he is elected in November, because two tax measures are on the ballot in Hillsborough County.
One of them: a property tax increase to raise teacher salaries, which the school district and its allies say is urgently needed.
The other: a renewal of the half-penny sales tax, the so-called Community Investment Tax (CIT).
The 30-year tax was approved in 1996 to fund the construction of Raymond James Stadium and other projects. Voters will decide whether to renew that tax for another 15 years.
“Our citizens have benefited in every single corner of this community, and what we are now seeing is renewal,” Mayor Jane Castor said at a press conference Friday.
At the press conference, Castor and other community leaders said the focus of the new tax will be less on the stadium and more on improving transportation, public safety and infrastructure to keep pace with the county’s growth.
“This does not satisfy the wishes, but the needs,” said Castor.
Craig Brotchie, who lives in south Tampa, believes he will vote for both taxes because they promise a high return on investment.
“Hey, we’re in America. It’s a great place to live and I’m not going to begrudge the taxes I have to pay to keep everything running smoothly,” he said.
Castineda had similar thoughts, even in an economy where inflation is noticeable.
“As long as taxes are used efficiently, I think it’s a no-brainer,” he said.
On the ballot paper, the referendum will read as follows:
“To ensure an excellent education for students by ensuring competitive salaries, retaining and recruiting highly qualified teachers and staff, implementing and preserving academic programs, and distributing pro rata funds to charter schools in accordance with Florida law, the Hillsborough County School District shall collect an ad valorem operating millage of one per mille annually from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029, and shall provide annual reports to district residents to ensure transparency regarding the use of funds.”
The measure to renew the Corporate Tax Act is as follows:
“Shall Hillsborough County renew the existing local government infrastructure surtax, known locally as the ‘Community Investment Half-Cent Sales Tax,’ effective December 1, 2026, through December 31, 2041, to be shared with municipalities and the school board to fund transportation and public works infrastructure, public safety, public facilities, public utilities, and public schools?”
