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County wants state help in tax switch
By SAUNDRA AMRHEIN, Times Staff Writer
NEW PORT RICHEY -- The county hopes to change state law so it can promise a property tax cut in exchange for voters approving a sales tax hike. The commission reached a consensus Tuesday during a meeting at the West Pasco Government Center to ask its state legislative delegation to push for such a change. Earlier this month, Commissioner Ted Schrader brought up the idea for the county, School Board and cities to consider reducing property tax rates if the public passes a 1-cent increase in the sales tax. The sales tax hike question is supposed to appear on the ballot in November 2004. Currently, sales tax money can be spent on capital, or construction, projects, as long as property tax dollars haven't already been slated or budgeted to pay for them. But an amendment to state law could change that. Schrader pointed out that Orange County's school district has sought and achieved a change in state law for the same purpose. It's expected that the extra sales tax would raise $31-million a year in Pasco. "I think that we should charge ahead," Commissioner Ann Hildebrand said. Commissioner Steve Simon agreed, but cautioned that it would be better not to market the idea for a sales tax hike with a promise of property tax cuts. That's because homeowners could get confused when they see a higher bill thanks to rising assessments, even though the tax rate went down. He said he thinks the county should merely tell voters why it needs a sales tax hike: to avoid double sessions in schools and more portable classrooms. "I prefer straight-line informational dispersion," Simon said. In other business Tuesday, the commission directed its staff to explore how other local governments handle outdoor vendors. The issue arose five or six months ago, after a hot dog vendor was told by a police officer to move off public property or right of way. Food vendors are not allowed to operate on public property and can't get a commercial permit on private property because food service or restaurants must be enclosed. The commission asked its staff to research the issue to see whether it can make exceptions. -- Saundra Amrhein covers Pasco County government. She can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6244, or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6244. Her e-mail address is amrhein@sptimes.com
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