ORLANDO, Fla. – Orange County officials are urging residents to complete a transportation survey ahead of February deadline to determine how funds should be used if a measure is passed in November.
In November, residents will vote on a 1 cent sales tax, with an estimated $596 million per year earmarked for transportation issues.
The county said about 1,000 people move to Central Florida every week, presenting a challenge in providing proper roads, infrastructure, mass transit, sidewalks and more.
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings has participated in several workshops, with a handful of others scheduled in the coming weeks.
County officials said they’ve received about 4,000 responses to the survey, which can be taken online at www.ocfl.net/TransportationSurvey. The county said it is hoping for 5,000 total responses, with a balance across the county.
According to the county, $596 million would come from the Department of Revenue’s Office of Tax Research.
At least 51% of the funds would be paid for by tourists and visitors outside of Orange County, based on a consultant study commissioned by Visit Orlando.
The tax would not include:
- Essential food items
- Prescription drugs
- Utilities
According to Orange County, the transportation penny sales tax, if passed, could be used for:
Various roadway improvements and transportation infrastructure, including:
- Technology, traffic signals and street lights (timing of traffic signals and major roadway lighting)
- Roads (adding lanes and resurfacing roadways)
- Public transportation (LYNX and SunRail)
- Intersections (adding turn lanes)
- Pedestrian safety
Demings will attend the following upcoming sessions open to the public:
January 22, 2020 | 6:30-8 p.m.
Transportation Listening Session hosted by University of Central Florida
UCF Student Union, Pegasus Grand Ballroom
Speakers: Demings and county staff
January 23, 2020 | 6:30-8 p.m.
Transportation Listening Session hosted by Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
NEC | 3201 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32803
Speakers: Demings and county staff
January 27, 2020 | 10 a.m.
Transportation Presentation to City of Orlando Council
Speaker: Demings
January 27, 2020 | 7:10 p.m.
Transportation Presentation to Maitland City Council
Speaker: Demings
January 30, 2020 | 11:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.