Manatee County special referendum today

During a special referendum today, Manatee County voters  will decide if they want pay an extra one-half percent in sales tax to fund indigent health care.

Approving the sales-tax increase would raise the county sales tax from 6.5% to 7%.

Currently, indigent care costs the Manatee County $23 million per year. It is funded through a soon-to-be depleted health trust fund and by property tax revenue.

The sales-tax increase would begin Jan. 1, 2014, and continue for 10 years.

Also, voters will be asked if they want to give the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners the ability to give property tax exemptions to new and expanding businesses.

Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.

A list of polling places can be found at www.votemanatee.com or by calling (941) 741-3823.

Contact Josh Siegel at [email protected].