Orange County mayor says Orlando would get $34M annually if one-cent sales tax hike passes

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings presented his plan for a one-cent hike to the sales tax to Orlando city leaders on Monday.

Demings said raising the county’s sales tax could bring in almost $18 billion over 30 years. Of that money, he said the city of Orlando could expect to receive $34 million annually for transportation and would no longer have to pay for Lynx.

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The money from the increase, he said, could be used to improve transit, roadways, bicycle and pedestrian safety, innovation and technology, and catch up on much-needed repairs and other upgrades. Click here to read more about the plan.

“We will communicate to every resident, every voter, how they will see themselves benefiting,” Demings said.

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Commissioners will vote in late April on whether to put this on the November ballot. If voters approve the increase in November, the county would begin tax collections at the start of next year.

READ: County leaders look to the future of Sunrail funding

The tax does not apply to essential groceries, prescription drugs, medical supplies or utilities.

Video: Orange County mayor relaunches initiative for 1% sales tax hike for transportation improvements (Christy Turner, WFTV.com)

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