1% Local Option Sales Tax

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City of Punta Gorda 1% Sales Tax Projects 2021-2027				Estimate
Public Safety – Expansion of Public Safety Building Historic District Infrastructure Henry Street Crosswalk Henry Street Sidewalk Shreve Street Complete Street Improvements Burnt Store Traffic Signal Complete Streets Improvements Cooper Street Complete Streets Improvements US 17 ADA Improvements Citywide				$10,048,000
Public Safety and Water Quality - Drainage Improvements- Boca Grande Area				$2,976,000
Preservation of Infrastructure - Historic City Hall Preservation Freeman House Preservation Bayfront Activity Center				$4,159,000
Quality of Life – Henry Street Property Improvements/Connecting Points of Interest				$2,817,00
Total				$20,000,000

City of Punta Gorda Previous 1% Local Option Sales Tax Project List

1% Sales Tax Update

Sales Tax 2026 Tentative Schedule

For the past 20 years, a 1% local option sales tax has been collected upon taxable transactions occurring within Charlotte County for the purpose of funding infrastructure. Initially levied in 1994, voters have since approved extensions of sales tax four times. On November 4, 2014, Charlotte County voters approved an additional 6-year extension of the 1% local option sales tax. On November 3, 2020 ballot voters approved 6-year extension of the 1% local options sales tax to fund the projects above.

The local option sales tax is a discretionary sales tax authorized under Florida law, and must be approved by a majority of the electors voting in a referendum. The revenue and any interest accrued can be used:

To finance, plan or construct infrastructure;
To acquire land for public recreation, conservation or protection of natural resources;
To provide loans, grants or rebates for residential or commercial energy efficient improvements; and
For economic development projects (up to 15%).

Monies may not be used for operational expenses related to infrastructure.

Charlotte County receives 89.6% and the City of Punta Gorda receives 10.4% of the funds. This distribution is calculated pursuant to state law and based on population. Currently, the annual revenue from the sales tax is $18 million with the City’s share being approximately $2 million a year. These pennies (over $350,000,000 in total) have provided funding for the quality of life projects throughout our community. It is anticipated that future sales tax revenue if approved by voters will result in $2.2 to $2.7 million dollars per year. The following are just a few of the major projects that were funded by sales tax over the last two decades.

Charlotte County Justice Center, Jail and Historic Courthouse
Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center
Center for Performing Arts at Charlotte High School
South County Regional Park
Piper Road, Burnt Store Road and Aqui Esta Roadway Improvements
Punta Gorda Pathways
New Public Works/Utilities Campus
Downtown Flooding Improvements
City Public Safety Building and Fire Stations on Aqui Esta &Acline Road

Click Historic Sales Tax Projects for the entire list of projects since 1994.

Utilizing sales tax funds spreads the cost of these projects among not only local residents, but seasonal visitors and tourists, as well.

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September 30, 2019 10 am Agenda

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October 30, 2019 Sales Tax Agenda

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November 18, 2019 Sales Tax Agenda