ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Nearly 61 percent of St. Johns County voters voted to boost the sales tax to 6.5 percent in order to raise additional revenue for public schools.
Just before 9 p.m., the last of the county's 46 precincts was counted. Of 35,051 ballots cast, the referendum passed by a margin of 7,577 votes.
Supervisor of Elections Vicky Oakes said turnout was higher than she expected.
"We are up to about 22 percent turnout for this special election, which is great," Oakes said.
The referendum will raise St. Johns County's sales tax by a half-cent beginning in 2016, That tax will remain in effect for 10 years. It is expected to bring in about $13 million annually, money to build new schools, pay for new technology and fund additional security.
For a family of four making between $60,000 to $70,000 a year, the additional half-cent sales tax would cost about $70 a year, according to school officials.
| St. Johns County special election results | ||
|---|---|---|
| For the half-cent sales surtax | 60.81% | 21,314 |
| Against the half-cent sales surtax | 39.19% | 13,737 |
A group of parents and students voiced their support of the half-cent sales tax referendum Tuesday morning by lining the sidewalk of Valley Ridge Academy with signs showing their support.
"For my first-grader, and I have one that will be entering the school system next year as a kindergartner, so we want to make sure that people are getting out and voting," mom Elaine Parker said.
School leaders say the extra money is needed to keep the state's top-rated classrooms becoming even more overcrowded.
"Our growth is really high in this area and we need to have more schools built to support the population growth," mom Amy Zobel said.
Andrea Anthony, vice chair of the St. Johns Republican Party was against the half-cent sales tax increase.
"To Republicans, a lot of our freedom is determined by the discretionary income that we have. If you don't have discretionary income, you don't have freedom," Anthony said.
She said she's met with school board members and the Legislature to discuss the possible tax and why she's against it.
"What if student growth diminishes? What if the mileage rate goes up? Are they then going to get rid of that half-cent? Probably not. It's just another increased tax for already an overtaxed taxpayer," said Anthony.
School leaders say about 6,300 students are in portable classrooms and the growth is projected to continue.
"We spent about $191,000 in rent a month this year renting portable classrooms and we rent portables because they're not permanent structures," said Superintendent Joseph Joyner.
Joyner said there are a lot of costs that go along with maintaining mobile classrooms.
"They're expensive to wire and set up. If they're an elementary portable, you have to have a restroom in them and you have to have plumbing. That's more expensive," said Joyner.
Surrounding counties such as Duval and Clay already have a 7 percent sales tax in place.