Penny for Pasco

Penny for Pasco is a voter-approved sales tax program by Pasco County, Florida, that charges a 1% tax on all goods in Pasco County up to $5,000.[1] The total revenue for the program is estimated to be $1.9 billion.[2]

History

The Penny for Pasco program was first introduced in 1995, though it was rejected by voters.[3] After several years of attempts, the Penny for Pasco Program passed on March 9, 2004, and went in to effect from January 1, 2005, through December 31, 2014.[4] The vote was 52 percent in favor, and 48 percent against the tax.[5]

On November 6, 2012, Penny for Pasco was voted again and extended the sales tax for another 10 years, extending the program until December 31, 2024.[6] The vote was 70 percent in favor, and 30 percent against the tax.[7]

On November 8, 2022, Penny for Pasco was voted again, extending the program for 15 additional years, until December 31, 2039.[8] The vote was 65 percent in favor, and 35 percent against the tax.[9][10]

Funding

The Penny for Pasco program funds several types of projects such as trails, parks, industry, office, infrastructure, and programs such as the Ready Sites Program, which funds industrial development.[11][12]

Allocation

The proceeds are split between the Pasco County Government and Pasco County Schools, which each receives 45% respectively, though Pasco County Government is split into separate services, and 10% gets split between cities:[13]

Penny for Pasco revenue allocation
Service / Munincipality Share[1][14]
Pasco County Schools 45%
Transportation 18%
Economic Incentives 9%
Environmental Lands 9%
Public Safety 9%
Zephyrhills 3.59%
New Port Richey 3.49%
Dade City 1.52%
Port Richey 0.64%
St. Leo 0.49%
San Antonio 0.27%
Total 100%

See also

References

  1. ^ a b OpenGov. "Budget Book FY 2025". Budget Book FY 2025. Retrieved 2025-09-15.
  2. ^ Camunas, Mike (2024-11-12). "Angeline Academy, Pasco County show off new athletic complex". TampaBeacon.com. Retrieved 2025-09-15.
  3. ^ Weil, Nancy. "Voters defeat penny increase". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2025-09-15.
  4. ^ Sant, Will Van. "Taxes pass in Hernando, Pasco". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2025-09-15.
  5. ^ Catalanello, Rebecca (March 10, 2004). "Pasco in for a Penny". Pasco Times. p. 100. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
  6. ^ Writer, Times Staff. "Penny for Pasco wins easy approval". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2025-09-15.
  7. ^ Blair, Ronnie (November 7, 2012). "Penny for Pasco tax is renewed". The Pasco Tribune. p. 1. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
  8. ^ Kopp, Craig (2022-11-09). "Bilirakis retains congressional seat and the Penny for Pasco renewal passes". WUSF. Retrieved 2025-09-15.
  9. ^ White, D'Ann Lawrence (2022-11-09). "Back To School: Pasco County 2023-24 School Calendar". Patch. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
  10. ^ Camunas, Mike (2024-11-12). "Angeline Academy, Pasco County show off new athletic complex". TampaBeacon.com. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
  11. ^ "Local & State Incentives". pascoedc.com. Retrieved 2025-09-15.
  12. ^ Camunas, Mike; Cotey, John. "Pasco boom has meant construction projects galore. What's in the works?". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2025-09-15.
  13. ^ Tampa, Sarah Blazonis. "Penny for Pasco up for second renewal by voters". baynews9.com. Retrieved 2025-09-15.
  14. ^ "Penny for Pasco". www.pascocountyfl.gov. Retrieved 2025-11-11.
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