Hillsborough County Commissioners approve Community Investment Tax referendum for November ballot
TAMPA - Hillsborough County Commissioners voted on Wednesday to send a measure to voters, asking them to renew the Community Investment Tax.
The Community Investment Tax originally passed almost 30 years ago. It's brought in more than $2 billion dollars for projects including infrastructure, transportation, public safety, and work on Raymond James Stadium.
During Wednesday's meeting, commissioners again debated how much of the tax should go to the Hillsborough County School district. It's currently receiving 25 percent of the CIT. Commissioners agreed to lower that to 5 percent for schools.
The decreased percentage will send about $187 million to Hillsborough schools over the next 15 years. Commissioners agreed that finding common ground to get the referendum on the ballot was most important.
"I think I know I did the right thing when both sides were kind of upset with me," said Commissioner Michael Owen, who proposed the referendum that ultimately passed. "The whole key to the CIT is getting it approved, and I thought that putting the motion together in the way that I did was the best way to get it approved."
READ: Hillsborough County commissioners worry voters may balk at multiple tax proposals
The district will have another tax referendum on the ballot to generate funding to raise salaries for teachers and other school support staff.
Commissioners also agreed Wednesday on a provision that would prevent any of the CIT money from being used to fund the construction of any new professional sports stadiums. It would not impact any current contracts for stadium upkeep.
If the CIT is passed, commissioners will have to determine how it's shared with Plant City, Temple Terrace and the Tampa Sports Authority.
SIGN UP: Click here to sign up for the FOX 13 daily newsletter