Sales tax talk is missing our voices

Hey, it’s July 4th week, so let’s celebrate civic involvement.

Folks are getting citizen feedback for a potential referendum on the 2026 ballot to raise the sales tax from 6 cents on the dollar to 7 cents. That extra penny would bring Citrus County tens of millions of dollars for potential projects.

The Chamber of Commerce took on the role of receiving community feedback. It conducted four sparsely attended town hall meetings, and now has the matter online for folks to participate virtually.

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First off, here’s the link. The page is loaded with information. Also, a 14-minute video of Don Taylor and Linda Van Allen going over the town hall presentation, plus answering the most frequent questions heard during those meetings.

Then there’s the survey. Three subject-area questions. I did it Sunday morning. Took about 30 seconds.

The sales tax steering committee will compile all the data and present it to county commissioners in August. Commissioners will then decide whether to formulate a ballot question for the 2026 election.

So, we’re in the compiling portion of our program. That’s where citizens come in.

I attended all four town hall meetings (didn’t stay for the second). The rather anemic turnout got my attention more than anything. Around 50 the first night, then 30 the next two, and I counted 23 in attendance for the final town hall at Citrus Springs last Tuesday.

What were we to glean from this? Lack of interest? Minds already made up? No confidence in the process? Better things to do? Inconvenient? Hockey playoffs on TV?

All or some of the above. Most people simply were not going to attend these meetings. Now that it’s online, no excuses to not participate.

I see citizens speaking their minds, pushing agendas on politicians instead of the other way around. I see people who usually stay in the background now carrying signs and speaking their minds about the things that matter.

I’m seeing whole communities taking ownership of their quality of life. The ones that succeed do more than just complain about their situation, they seek solutions. Out of the box stuff. 

Constant negativity is unhealthy, yet some don't let up. 

Fortunately, most members of the Just Wright Citrus family know their stuff, are locked into the community, serve in various ways, led incredible careers before retirement, fit the definition of a government geek, and are passionate about Citrus County. I expect most of those folks to participate without any issue.

However, we do have a few regulars who are constantly critical of certain commissioners, the Chamber of Commerce, or any institution of authority. To these readers, the County Commission has never done anything right and never will.

(If you're thinking, "I wonder if he's talking about me," rest assured: Of course not! Don't be silly. It's other people.)

This is a very opinionated county (understatement of the hour). It would be shocking to me that folks would hold those opinions to themselves on this subject that's so vital to our community. Even if you think everyone involved is trying to get rich off this extra penny, please take the survey and say that.

And if you think it's worth a deeper dive, you can take the survey and say that too.

I challenge us to avoid discarding this process without first trying it out. Little to lose and plenty to gain. If nothing else, we're all getting a crash course on the gas tax.

Don Taylor and the chamber folks have done an excellent job trying to get the sales tax public input thing going. Again, no one here has ever done this before. Don was a lot more comfortable by town hall meeting No. 4 than he was on opening night.

Now it’s all available online. Deadline to take the survey is July 21. That is plenty of time. Take a look at the info online (I’ve also started a One for All page on my website), pay attention to what's available, keep asking questions, and let’s see where this goes.

(While I’m thinking about it, I suggest that the organizers post the data they’re receiving from participants at some point. Citizens should know the results before any presentation to commissioners.)

Still too early to say if there’s enough public support for a 2026 referendum. The lack of town hall interest is either a red flag or an anomaly. Guess we’ll find out in a few weeks.

Let’s celebrate our American freedom with civic pride. Please participate in the sales tax survey. Doesn’t matter if it’s yes or no. What matters is getting off the bench and into the game. Never know where that goes.

Have a great Monday, friends.

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