Hillsborough County leaders urging voters to renew half cent sales tax [Video]

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — A half-cent sales tax is set to expire in Hillsborough County, and county leaders are hoping to convince voters to renew it.

On Friday local leaders from all over Hillsborough County joined together to urge voters to support renewing the Community Investment Tax for another 15 years during the November election.

“We are one county united together to get this tax passed this coming November,” said Hillsborough County Commissioner Gwen Myers who represents District 3.

Since 1996, the half-cent sales tax has been used to fund capital improvements such as improving roads and building and maintaining schools, fire stations and parks.

The tax will expire in 2026.

“Our county continues to grow and we cannot build schools fast enough. We continue to have unfunded capital needs, especially in our high-growth areas,” said Karen Perez, Hillsborough County School Board Chair.

Leaders said they recognize that getting voters to support any tax will …