Santa Rosa County is growing, and with that growth comes an important responsibility: ensuring our roads, public safety services, parks, stormwater systems and community infrastructure keep pace with the needs of our residents. That’s why local first responders and community leaders are asking voters to renew the county’s half-cent Local Option Sales Tax (LOST).
In 2016, Santa Rosa County voters approved the half-cent sales tax by approximately two-thirds of the vote. In 2020, voters chose to extend it. Now, as the current authorization approaches its December 31, 2026 expiration, residents will once again have an opportunity to decide whether this important funding source should continue.
A FOR vote does not increase the tax rate. It simply continues the existing half-cent sales tax for another five years, beginning January 1, 2027. There is no additional tax burden beyond what shoppers are already paying.
One advantage of a sales tax is that it isn’t paid solely by Santa Rosa County residents. Visitors who shop, dine and spend money here contribute as well. In a county that welcomes visitors throughout the year, people who enjoy our community also help support the infrastructure and services that make it a desirable place to visit and live.
That broader revenue base helps reduce reliance on property taxes while providing funding for needs that affect our everyday quality of life.
Santa Rosa County Public Safety Director Tom Lloyd also highlighted the importance of the funding for Emergency Management and local fire departments.
“The Local Option Sales Tax provides funding that can support public safety needs in Santa Rosa County. For Emergency Management and our Fire Departments, these funds help address needs related to critical infrastructure, emergency response equipment, vehicles, and operational readiness. These investments support the day-to-day operations of our public safety agencies and help maintain their ability to respond to emergencies and major disasters,” Lloyd said.
His comments underscore that public safety funding is about more than responding when an emergency happens. It is also about making sure the people and agencies responsible for protecting the community have the equipment, vehicles and infrastructure they need before disaster strikes.
The investments extend well beyond emergency response. Well-maintained roads help residents get to work, children get to school, and first responders reach those who need help. Drainage improvements help address stormwater challenges. Parks provide places for families to gather and enjoy the outdoors, while conservation and infrastructure projects help protect the natural resources that make Santa Rosa County special.
Growth brings opportunity, but it also brings challenges. More residents mean more traffic, greater demands on infrastructure and increased expectations for public services. We cannot expect our community to grow while allowing the infrastructure supporting that growth to fall behind.
Supporters of the renewal also point out that development is reaching more of the forests, farms and creeks that define Santa Rosa County. Continuing the half-cent sales tax provides a way to invest in roads, protect water and land resources, and support public safety without increasing the existing tax rate.
Renewing this tax is an opportunity to continue addressing those needs through a funding mechanism that includes contributions from visitors, rather than placing the entire responsibility on local property owners.
Santa Rosa County voters have supported this investment twice before. Now they have an opportunity to continue that commitment for another five years.
Ultimately, this is about planning ahead rather than playing catch-up. It’s about maintaining the roads we travel, supporting the public safety professionals who protect us, improving emergency response, preparing for major disasters, preserving the natural resources we treasure and providing recreational opportunities for future generations.
A half-cent may seem small at the register, but its collective impact can make a meaningful difference in the future of our county.
For additional information, visit www.SantaRosaYes.com.
Pd. Pol. Adv. by Funding Santa Rosa’s Future
