On Tuesday, November 8, 2016 voters will see two half-cent surtax referendums that would fund needed local infrastructure and transportation improvement projects throughout Broward County. While voters get to decide, the 15 million visitors to Broward County each year would help to fund the surtax and in turn, the improvements to be enjoyed by local residents for years to come.
A 1/2 penny sales surtax is proposed to fund countywide transportation projects and the other 1/2 penny sales surtax is proposed to fund infrastructure projects. Together, they represent a one percent sales surtax, which is the equivalent of one penny per dollar spent. These two ballot questions are linked together, so that both must pass in order for either to take effect. If only one ballot measure passes, then neither will be implemented. The funds generated by the combined one penny sales surtax will be used to fund a variety of projects such as enhanced transit options, traffic signal synchronization, water and sewer improvements (pipes and treatment plants), drainage improvements to address street flooding issues, and senior mobility. Both sales surtaxes would expire after 30 years.