Oakland discusses potential benefits of county sales tax proposal

As Orange County officials begin to meet with local municipalities regarding a proposed one-cent sales tax increase, those in West Orange County are considering what it could mean for them.

At the Oakland Town Commission meeting Tuesday, Aug. 27, Town Manager Steve Koontz presented information he gathered from a meeting with county administration and other city and town managers regarding the sales-tax proposal.

The one-cent increase is a proposal by Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings. Should it be approved for the presidential election ballot next year and implemented, the county sales tax would be raised to 7.5%, and the extra funds would be used for furthering transportation.

“This is going to be a ballot issue; it’s going to be a referendum and (would) be on the presidential ballot,” Koontz said. “In February, they have to start putting together their ballot language and what this is going to look like. Orange County is a charter county, so they can do a charter county regional transportation system surtax for capital, as well as operations and maintenance. One penny in Orange County will generate about $635 million annually.

“There are additional pennies that can be levied on gas taxes, but it’s very limited,” Koontz said. “The components of the program are — because this is capital and operations and maintenance — major road improvements, intersection improvements, bike/pedestrian improvements, LYNX system enhancements, SunRail service and other transport needs.” 

Koontz added that two of the county’s priorities seem to be LYNX and SunRail. Although SunRail in West Orange County doesn’t make a lot of sense, he said, LYNX should be a topic of conversation locally.

“They are trying to put together a grassroots plan, and they’re looking for input from the cities, towns and citizens as they put together what this plan’s going to look like and what it’s going to fund,” Koontz said. “What they’re looking for from cities and towns is, what are our priorities and what projects do we have as priorities, as well as what improvements can happen within cities and towns as far as transportation? They are looking to get the support of cities and towns as this plays out.”

As far as how the proposal could benefit Oakland, Koontz said he hoped to capture what the commission wants and suggested using the town’s mobility master plan as the point of reference for how they engage this tax. There is potential, he said, for the town to receive up to $1 million annually — as long as the referendum would last — for transportation improvements.

“The biggest thing that I would like to see is, how do we get the LYNX coming back out here?” Commissioner Joseph McMullen said. “We all drive around. That piece (of LYNX) that we’re doing right now, the NeighborLink, — that doesn’t really work. We need to have some type of route that goes through. Something needs to come out this way. It has to be something where we can be a part of the conversation.”

Koontz added that the West Orange Chamber of Commerce put together a letter on behalf of the West Orange County municipalities and sent it to the county. The letter, he said, included questions regarding any future expansion plans for LYNX in the area, as well as accountability with how the funds would be spent.

The commission agreed if the town is going to support the proposal, then the funding that would come from it needs to benefit residents.

“I want to make sure that county officials have an understanding of the difference between West Orange County and other parts of the county,” Mayor Kathy Stark said. “West Orange County’s transportation looks very different than other parts of the county. I’m happy that the chamber is speaking for the municipalities as a whole. It’s just a good way to start, so that (the county) knows we’re all here together and looking at the same questions together.”