GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. – Clay County commissioners have approved a 5-cent per gallon local option gasoline tax that could raise gas prices in the county to among the highest in northeast Florida.
The tax, passed on a 4-1 vote, goes into effect Jan. 1, 2018, and it will continue for 24 years. The money is designed to help pay for road maintenance in the growing county, including road widening, paving dirt roads and building additional roads.
The gas tax is expected to raise $10 million for the county in 10 years, and it's the final piece of a three-part plan to make up for nearly $250 million needed to fund road maintenance in the next decade. Voters passed a 1-cent sales tax last year that should bring in about $180 million and there's a new impact fee on development will bring in another $60 million.
Commuters like Neil Davenport is already not happy with what it costs to fill up his car, and isn't happy that it will cost more next year.
"Paying more for gas is a hassle," Davenport said.
Another Clay County driver also thinks it's too much.
"I know they get revenue for tourists, but I think that’s a little extreme," Jim Lyon said.
Florida taxes gasoline 17.4 cents per gallon of gasoline, there's a 0.25 cent inspection fee per gallon and 6 additional cents that is shared with the county, totaling 30.9 cents. There's an additional 1 cent on diesel fuel.
Clay County did not previously have a locally-imposed gasoline tax. Among neighboring counties, only Alachua and Putnum have passed local taxes, although Baker and St. Johns are in discussions of doing the same due to the need for revenue.
News4Jax is learning more about plans for the revenue and reaction from residents. This story will be updated later in the day, with a full report on Channel 4 news beginning at 5 p.m.