Does Manatee County need a half-cent sales tax?

An advisory committee is recommending Manatee County implement a half-cent sales tax to pay for aging infrastructure and other county needs.

During the Manatee County Commission meeting today, local businessman Mac Carraway delivered the findings of 13-member Citizen Financial Structure Advisory Board.

The infrastructure tax would generate about $23 million its first year. The committee recommended allocating dollars with 65% to transportation, 14% to public safety; 13% to parks and community amenities; and 8% for contingency.

Carraway said the tax is a way to shift the burden of costs from property owners to tourists and others visiting the area.

Manatee County’s property tax revenues have decreased 18% since 2007, but the population has grown by 40,000.

Committee member Chuck Slater added: “You have a $400 million problem starting in 2018. You’ve asked for recommendations. You’ve gotten them.”

County officials agreed to explore the recommendation further and asked for a meeting with the Manatee County School Board, asked advisory board members to speak the the organizations they represent for feedback, begin communicating with the city governments and creating a schedule for moving forward, if they decide to put the tax up for referendum in November.