Commissioners consider sales tax increase in St. Johns County

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – St. Johns County has one of the lowest sales taxes in Florida but that could change if the public thinks it's a good idea to bump the tax.

The county commissioners decided they wanted to hear from the community about potentially increasing the sales tax from 6 percent to 7 percent.

Commissioners said raising the tax is a way to level the playing field with surrounding counties, which all have a 7 percent sales tax. The higher sales tax could bring in $23.6 million, which would help increase funding for local departments to help with the 5 percent population growth the county has seen each year.

It got a little heated during the commission meeting Tuesday as residents debated the issue, but the county commissioners said hearing from the people is exactly what they want so they can make the right decision.
  
"As we live closer and closer together, as more people come, I'm assuming we'll have more calls for services. People come here cause we're number 1," Chair Commissioner Rachael L. Bennett said Tuesday.
 
The sales tax increase could help places like the library, improving programs and upgrading the facility.
 
Howard Ducat comes to the local library a lot. He said he supports the tax increase if the money goes to where the commission says it will go.
 
"This is an advantage to know exactly how much they can raise versus other ways," Ducat said. "They may not know how much money they can obtain from charging or surcharging other venues of business. I think people would agree if it was going towards a specific thing. I think they would accept it."
 
Bill McCormick agrees with the tax increase and says the people who don't want it are being narrow minded.
 
"Folks that are saying, 'I don't want to pay any more money out of my income because I am not concerned about libraries. I'm not concerned about other things that other people in the community are, whether it's parks or whatever,' Well too bad folks. Some of us are," McCormick said.
 
But Kim Kendal pointed out that some voters might want a half cent increase, or a tax reduction. She believes these should be options on the ballot if the issue were to make it that far.
 
"We want to see you guys direct our very sharp staff," Kendal said. "We've got some very sharp people ther, to show us other options because there are a lot."

They also talked about increasing the gas or property taxes, or even charging fees for beach parking. The commissioners said it will be a long process and they will invite public comment again at some point.