Port St. Lucie City Council wants half-percent sales-tax hike put up to countywide vote

PORT ST. LUCIE — The City Council wants a half-percent sales-tax increase put on the Nov. 6 ballot.

The 10-year tax increase would raise $16.8 million per year for roads, sidewalks, storm sewers and water-quality projects across the county. Port St. Lucie would receive $6.8 million a year.

The City Council Monday formally asked the county to put the tax increase on the ballot.The County Commission is to discuss the issue March 20.

If voters say yes, Port St. Lucie may use the money to build more sidewalks and make major improvements to Port St. Lucie Boulevard, Floresta Drive and roads in St. Lucie West, among other projects.

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A similar proposal on the November 2016 ballot lost by 8,458 votes, county elections records show. That means if 4,725 people had voted yes instead of no, the measure would have passed.

If the issue passes, St. Lucie County would receive $8.4 million a year over the 10 years; Fort Pierce, $1.6 million; and St. Lucie Village, $25,000.

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