Orange County suspends transportation sales tax initiative

The proposed Orange County one cent sales tax increase to fund transportation needs has been put on pause.

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings announced during a press conference April 3 that the county will be suspending the proposed tax increase due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The matter will be re-addressed at a later time so the county can focus on fighting the virus and slowing its spread.

 “We are suspending our pursuit of the one penny transportation/infrastructure sales tax to be placed on the November 2020 ballot,” Demings said. “Times are just too uncertain right now, so we are postponing our efforts. We will take up the transportation tax issue after the pandemic is over. Our focus for the time being will be on the health and welfare of our residents as we go through this pandemic.”