Hillsborough County Courthouse in Tampa, Florida. Credit: Photo via Ilya Images/Shutterstock
Hillsborough’s Community Investment Tax (CIT) provides for first responders, parks, liberties, roads and utilities.

Adopted nearly 30 years ago, the CIT is not perfect (it partially financed Raymond James Stadium), although it has raised nearly $3 billion for the public. But it’s set to expire in 2026, so this referendum would extend the tax through 2041.

The referendum—read the full ballot language below—is a quality of life measure that gives our roads, parks and pipes a fighting chance. And voters worried about voting yes on this and the school tax should know that Referendum No. 1 also reduces Hillsborough schools’ collections of the CIT from 25% to 5%, robbery in our eyes.

A yes vote is essential.

No. 1 Hillsborough County Referendum

Renewal of Community Investment Half-Cent Sales Tax Through December 31, 2041
Shall Hillsborough County renew the existing local government infrastructure surtax, known locally as the community investment half-cent sales tax, commencing December 1, 2026, through December 31, 2041, to be shared with the municipalities and the School Board to fund infrastructure for transportation and public works, public safety, public facilities, public utilities and public schools?

See all of CL’s ballot recommendations on our 2024 general election landing page.

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This article appears in Oct 24-30, 2024.

Read his 2016 intro letter and disclosures from 2022 and 2021. Ray Roa started freelancing for Creative Loafing Tampa in January 2011 and was hired as music editor in August 2016. He became Editor-In-Chief...