Penny for Pinellas

Bill Berger ‘05

On Nov. 7, 2017, Pinellas County residents will consider a 10-year renewal of the Penny for Pinellas 1% sales tax. The Penny funds infrastructure projects, such as roads, bridges and trails, water quality, flood and sewer spill prevention, public safety equipment and facilities, parks and preserves, recreation centers, and other community needs. As a sales tax, the Penny is paid for by everyone who spends money locally; in fact, approximately one-third is paid by tourists and seasonal residents. All of the funds are collected in Pinellas and stay in Pinellas.

Over the years, the County has made critical, long-term investments with the Penny to keep our community safe in times of emergency, such as Hurricane Irma. Projects include 9,600 new shelter spaces added in recent years, new fire stations, emergency communication towers, and the Category-5 wind hardened Emergency Operations Center. The Penny has been in effect since 1990,  helping fund projects such as the Bayside Bridge and the Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail as well several neighborhood parks and major road expansions.

Learn more about the Penny at www.pinellascounty.org/penny.