Commissioners OK transit tax ballot language

A vote by Hillsborough County residents on whether to increase the sales tax to pay for light rail and other transportation projects got a step closer to reality today.

After months of wrangling over details, the Hillsborough County Commission approved ballot language for a proposed transit sales tax referendum.

Of three proposed versions of the ballot language, commissioners selected one that if approved by the board on a future date to put on the ballot in November's elections will read:

"Shall transportation improvements throughout Hillsborough County, Tampa, Temple Terrace and Plant City be funded by levying a one percent transportation sales surtax from January 1, 2011 until repealed, deposited into a dedicated trust fund, all spending reviewed by an independent oversight committee of citizens and experts, with 75 percent spent on transit, including local rail and an expanded bus system for express, local and neighborhood service, and 25 percent spent on improving roads and other transportation projects?"

The vote was 5 to 2 with commissioners Jim Norman and Al Higginbotham opposing it.

Commissioner Rose Ferlita said it was essential that the ballot question explain how the money will be divided, and that voters would have to approve changes down the road.

"It needs to explain to the public how and where the money will be spent," she said.

One of the two other options considered by the board didn't include that language.

Previously, county commissioners approved a plan that would give Hillsborough County 90 percent of the tax proceeds earmarked for road projects for 10 years.

The remaining 10 percent would be split between Tampa, Temple Terrace and Plant City on a formula based roughly on population. After 10 years, the amount of money going to the county for roads would be reduced to 40 percent.

The commission will hold public hearings, beginning April 15, before final approval for the referendum.