Penny Sales Tax Should Be Used for “Needs” not
“Wants”
At the special election on November 3, 2015, Lake County citizens should Vote Against the
Penny Sales Tax initiative (Infrastructure Sales Surtax Referendum) because the real
priorities of Lake County are not being addresses. For the last 15 years, Lake County
officials at all levels said the priorities of Lake County are new student stations (schools),
roads, and city utilities. Instead of proposing to fund priorities of the county, the Lake
County Board of County Commissioners developed a lengthy list of items, which already
have multiple funding sources. The list is on Lake County’s website.

There are proposals to raise the salaries of both Lake County and Sheriff’s Office
employees for a second year in a row. How many working people are getting yearly
raises? That is your best indication they don’t need this sales tax.

The Lake County Commission has criticized the Sheriff’s Office for not participating
in openly in budget process since the start of the Great Recession. Why do they
want to give the office more money?

The Lake County politicians are using fire fighters as their pawns. The county’s Fire
Department has multiple funding sources, which include general property taxes, a
special fire assessment, and fire impact fees, but yet they say they need more
money for equipment.

With impact fees for roads, parks, and libraries in addition to state and federal
grants, state sales tax, and regular property taxes—all of these areas have millions
of dollars available to them. Additionally, in 2004 Lake County voters voted for a
one-third millage rate assessment to buy environmental lands—Lake County
residents are already doing their part for the environment.

Finally, just a few months ago, a 13.8% property tax increase was approved, because
the politicians needed to do things like give county employees pay raises and build
up their emergency reserves. Did you get a 13.8% raise last year? Were you able to
build-up your family’s emergency bank reserves? If not, you should Vote Against
the Infrastructure Sales Surtax Referendum at the special election on November 3,
2015.
What this tax is all about and how they propose to spend it is double, triple, and quadruple
dipping money out of the tax payers pocket. The bottom line is the Penny Sales Tax
should only be used for roads, new student stations (schools), and utilities—the real
“needs” and priorities of Lake County. By Voting Against the Infrastructure Sales Surtax
Referendum at the special election on November 3, 2015, you will force the County
Commissioners to re-write this ordinance and establish the correct priorities, allowing for
real transparency and accountability. Below is a list taken directly from Lake County’s
website showing how they plan to spend the Penny Sales Tax money.
Actual Ballot Language:
SHOULD LAKE COUNTY ORDINANCE 2015-____ EXTENDING THE EXISTING ONE-CENT
COUNTYWIDE INFRASTRUCTURE SALES SURTAX FOR FIFTEEN YEARS BE APPROVED?
PROJECTS ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING:
Law Enforcement Vehicles, Fire Trucks and Ambulances, and Public Safety Equipment
Parks, Trails, Recreation, and Libraries
Construction/Reconstruction/Remodeling of School Facilities
Roads, Sidewalks, and Transportation
Water Quality, Utilities, and Drainage Improvements
Other Public Infrastructure
______FOR the 1-CENT Sales Tax
______AGAINST the 1-CENT Sales Tax Ordinance
Ballot Language amended to show everything for which they might use with the Penny
Sales Tax.
SHOULD LAKE COUNTY ORDINANCE 2015-___ EXTENDING THE EXISTING
ONE-CENT COUNTYWIDE INFRASTRUCTURE SALES SURTAX FOR FIFTEEN YEARS
BE APPROVED?
PROJECTS ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING:
PUBLIC SAFETY
SHERIFF
Vehicle Replacement

175-200 vehicles
LAKE EMS
Ambulance and Equipment Replacement

New ambulances – 20 to 25

Ambulance re-chassis and patient compartment
refurbishments – 3 to 5

Quick response vehicles – 3 to 5

Cardiac monitors – 25 to 30

Stretchers – 25 to 30
FIRE RESCUE
Fire Apparatus Replacement

Apparatus – 25 to 29
Includes fire engines, squads, aerial ladder trucks, water tanker trucks, and utility
brush trucks
FIRE RESCUE
Fire Station Renovations and Repairs

Stations – 9 to 12
Includes building remodels, roof replacements, water/well systems, generators, and
HVAC replacements
QUALITY OF LIFE
PARKS
East Lake Community Park
Approx. 80 percent of build-out

Sports lighting of all athletic fields

Path system throughout the park

Internal road and parking lot

Buildings at ballfields, multipurpose fields and maintenance (3)
PARKS
South Lake Regional Park approx. 40 percent of build-out

Ballfields with lights (4)

Multipurpose fields with lights (2)

Building – restrooms / concession (1)

Internal road, parking lot and path system (50% completion)

Renovate existing building for maintenance staff

Site clearing and grading

Utilities – water, sewer, electric, irrigation well or reclaim water
PARKS
Lake Idamere Park Completion

Sports lighting

Resurfacing internal road, parking lot and trail

Restroom

Path and parking lot lighting

Pavilions
PARKS
P.E.A.R. Park Completion

Path system throughout the park

Pavilions

Internal road and parking lots

Pickleball courts (6)
PARKS
Ferndale Preserve

Central observation tower
PARKS
Minneola Athletic Complex Park Completion

Multipurpose field with lights (1)

Little League field with lights (1)

Tennis courts with lights (2)

Basketball courts with lights (2)

Restroom at multipurpose fields

Additional parking / lighting

Pavilions

Playground

Scoreboards, bleachers, etc.
PARKS
North Lake Community Park substantially completed

Sports lighting of Little League field (3)

Sports lighting of multipurpose field (3)

Pavilions

Path lighting at Little League fields
PARKS
Pine Forest Park (Active Side)
Park approx. 65 percent of build-out

Multipurpose field (1)

Ballfields (2)
PARKS
Other County Parks & Boat Ramps

Resurfacing internal roads, parking lots and internal trails

Renovations to courts and athletic fields

Sports lighting

Playground replacement

Pavilions

Boardwalk replacement

Site furnishings (bleachers, scoreboards, etc.)

Restrooms
TRAILS
South Lake / Hancock Trail

Boardwalk replacement

ADA improvements in phases
PUBLIC LANDS
Ellis Acres Reserve

Improvements to existing structure (Educational Center)

Parking lot improvements
LIBRARIES
Cagan Crossings Community Library

12,000 S.F. interior build-out of second floor

Creation of multi-use space
LIBRARIES
Marion Baysinger Memorial Library

5,000 S.F. addition

Expansion of spaces for computers, collections, meetings and youth
PUBLIC WORKS
RESURFACING

Resurface 75-95 miles
SIDEWALKS

Construct 7.5 miles & $2.5M for repairs
INTERSECTIONS

Complete 9 projects & install 9 traffic signals
WATER QUALITY

Complete 1 project (Magnolia Lane in Lake Harris Basin)
VEHICLES & EQUIPMENT

Replace 75 items
OTHER PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE
BUILDING REPAIR & MAINTENANCE

Energy plant cooling tower refurbishment

HVAC control system and air handler replacements

Fire alarm system replacements

Annual roof replacements

Generator replacements
CONSTRUCTION/RECONSTRUCTION/REMODELING OF SCHOOL FACILITIESVEHICLES & FLEET

Annual light vehicle replacements based on established schedule
TELEPHONE SYSTEM MODERNIZATION

Replace all 26 systems that are at end-of-life
FIBER OPTIC NETWORK EXPANSION

Connect all county buildings into the fiber loop

Build out two miles of underground fiber or four miles of aerial fiber per year
It’s time to say no more overspending, no more unaccountable programs
—Vote Against the Penny Sales Tax on November 3, 2015.
Special Election for the Penny Sales Tax – Costing the tax payers $440,000!
The Lake County Board of County Commissioners have scheduled the election for the
Infrastructure Sales Surtax Referendum (to renew the Lake County Penny Sales Tax) on Tuesday,
November 3, 2015, in an off election year.
The Lake County Supervisor of Elections Office stated that this special, off-year election is costing
Lake County taxpayers $440,000. The only elections scheduled for 2015 includes just a handful
of small city elections and this one county-wide Infrastructure Sales Surtax Referendum (Penny
Sales Tax).
2015 Election Calendar
Election
Book Closing Date
Election Date
Lake County Special Election
October 5, 2015
November 3, 2015
Town of Astatula
October 5, 2015
November 3, 2015
City of Clermont
October 5, 2015
November 3, 2015
City of Groveland
October 5, 2015
November 3, 2015
Town of Lady Lake
October 5, 2015
November 3, 2015
City of Mascotte
October 5, 2015
November 3, 2015
City of Minneola
October 5, 2015
November 3, 2015
Town of Montverde
October 5, 2015
November 3, 2015
City of Mount Dora
October 5, 2015
November 3, 2015
City of Tavares
October 5, 2015
November 3, 2015
Because of the Infrastructure Sales Surtax Referendum (Penny Sales Tax), every polling station in
the county will have to be open, every citizen given the opportunity to cast an early vote, and
thousands of absentee ballots mailed out. The tax payers are paying for a General Election in an
off-year.
Now, here is a fact that should make every taxpayer in Lake County very upset. According to the
Florida Division of Elections, Lake County will have three county-wide votes in 2016. The
Presidential Preference Primary Election on March 15, 2016, the State and County Primary
Election on August 30, 2016, and then the National and Florida General Election on November 8,
2016. Adding the Infrastructure Sales Surtax Referendum (Penny Sales Tax) to any of those
elections would virtually cost the taxpayers $0, not one single dime.
Why did the Lake County Commission schedule a 2015 off-year election at a cost of $440,000
to taxpayers? They know that most taxpayers are in a nasty mood from government regulations,
failed government policies, and too many taxes. They calculated their best chance in getting the
Infrastructure Sales Surtax Referendum (Penny Sales Tax) passed is to hold the vote two years
early in hopes that the voters will stay home while they muster enough friends to vote for the tax.
The current Penny Sales Tax does not expire until December 31, 2017. So, there is absolutely no
problem with holding the vote in 2016 or in 2017.
On November 3, 2015, Vote Against the Infrastructure Sales Surtax Referendum (Penny
Sales Tax), because the referendum is poorly written and too broad brush. Make them do it
right—the ordinance should only be used for new schools, roads, and utilities while protecting
Lake County taxpayers and workers.