The transportation sales tax motion, passed by a 19-6 vote, would allocate 70% of transportation sales tax proceeds to Broward County to pay for transit upgrades, including enhanced bus service on select corridors as well as the expansion of the Wave Streetcar system. 30% of proceeds would go to city governments to pay for road resurfacing projects, more community buses, the addition of bike lanes and sidewalks, and other municipal transportation projects.
“Today’s events demonstrate what happens when different units of government work together to reach common ground,” said Broward MPO Executive Director Greg Stuart. “If this referendum is placed on the ballot, we will give the residents of our region the ability to vote on our transportation future and pave the way for a 21st Century transportation network.”
While the framework of a deal between Broward County and the Broward MPO has been reached, there are still important details that still need to be worked out in an interlocal agreement between the two bodies. Over the next two weeks, representatives from both bodies will meet to hammer out these details so that the referendum language can be quickly filed with the Supervisor of Elections for placement on the November ballot.
If passed in November, this penny surtax would only apply to what is currently taxed, and only to the first $5,000 of an expense. It is estimated that 30% of the sales tax would be paid for by tourists and visitors to the region.
The Broward County Commission will meet on Tuesday, April 26 at 10:00 a.m., and the Broward MPO Board will hold a special meeting to discuss the sales tax on Thursday, May 5 at 9:30 a.m.