Don't slow sales tax momentum

Hey, it’s Tuesday! 

The biggest decision, outside of the one voters will make, regarding the One for All sales tax initiative comes today.

That’s when Citrus County commissioners will review a report that shows citizens would support the chance to vote on a 2026 sales tax referendum and, should it pass, the money should be spent on roads.

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I’ll break it down in a minute, but this report is exactly what commissioners said they wanted. They requested a citizen-led process. That’s what happened. Commissioners should direct the County Attorney to develop an ordinance for a sales tax referendum reflecting the citizens’ wishes.

That was the plan all along. The less influence from commissioners, the better. Everyone agreed that for this to even have a chance of success, it must be grassroots.

I read in the newspaper the other day that one commissioner thinks the number of survey respondents — a little over 500 — isn’t a true reflection of the community. This commissioner says the county needs an expert to help us find out what we really think.

Stop. Please, just stop.

If commissioners try to maneuver these results in any direction other than the one citizens want, that will not end well.

So, let’s talk about it.

First off, we laid out an easy process that got us to this point. Remember that the idea was to learn from citizens whether they’d support a 1-cent sales tax referendum, and how we should spend the expected $25 million/year. 

The Chamber of Commerce led the effort. Don Taylor, Trish Thomas, and Linda Van Allen — three of the most community-minded humans you’re ever going to meet — had town hall meetings and oversaw an online version.

Now, and this is important. At no time did anyone set a minimum number of participants to make this thing legitimate. Considering we elect people in primaries where 3 of 10 voters participate, 509 seems like a decent number. Yeah, I’d have preferred thousands. But look, we’ve never done this before.

Dissecting the survey responses for how best to spend the tax is futile without first deciding if we have enough interest today to back a referendum next year. A survey of over 500 citizens showed 59% support to have the referendum. Is that enough? I’d suggest it is.

The folks behind this effort are already thinking about how best to engage community involvement once commissioners vote to place it on the 2026 ballot. If commissioners think the survey didn’t fulfil its purpose, they should kick the can another two years. I mean…why direct this process, and then blow it up at the first opportunity?

OK, so that’s the first thing. Either accept the survey as is for a 2026 ballot, or start the process all over again with 2028 in mind.

Second thing, and I cannot be clearer about this. Survey respondents overwhelmingly listed road repair/widening their top sales tax priority. That should end the conversation as to how the money is spent. Those other categories, such as buying conservation land, are nice wants but not needs.

Remember our theme…One for All. Every citizen benefits as much as possible. It’s not surprising to see transportation top the list. We all drive the roads.

Here’s what I’m hoping to see today:

— Trish Thomas gives the chamber’s presentation.

— Commissioners discuss the findings and ask questions.

— Trish (or someone from the chamber) suggests the next steps. I'd expect someone from the county to know the official moves going forward.

— Commissioners follow those suggestions.

This is a process. So far, it’s been successful in that over 500 of our citizens got the ball rolling. Now’s not the time to complicate matters.

That’s it for Tuesday. Have a great one, friends.
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