Voters renew half cent tax
BY PAM BRANNON Gulf Breeze News news@gulfbreezenews.com

Santa Rosa County Schools were awarded by county voters at least $7 million a year for the next 10 years to use for new school construction and improvements. Even though only 9.6 percent of the county's registered voters cast ballots last Tuesday, March 27 at the special election to extend the 1/2 cent sales tax for another 10 years, 77 percent of those voting said "YES."

S a n t a R o s a C o u n t y S c h o o l D i s t r i c t Supt. John Rogers said, "The sales tax is not something any of us in the district take for granted. We are very, very appreciative of those who took the time to go to the polls and vote for its renewal. It will mean a lot for the future of Santa Rosa County schools."

Several Santa Rosa County Elections officials voiced surprised at the low turnout, saying it was probably the lowest ever in the county's history. A total of 7,408 votes were cast across the county in favor of extending the sales tax, and 2,216 votes were against.

Gulf Breeze voters were overwhelmingly in favor of the measure. The four Gulf Breeze precincts registered more than clear majority in favor: Gulf Breeze City on Shoreline Drive registering 618 saying yes and 130 voting no; Midway's precinct registering 309 votes in favor and 93 against; Oriole Beach registered 252 for and 73 against; and Tiger Point precinct showing 266 for the measure and 68 against.

The largest precinct in the county is Holley-By-the-Sea at Hidden Creek precinct, which has 8,000 voters registered, but only had less than 800 show up with 535 voting in favor and 155 against.

The 1/2 cent sales tax currently brings in an average over the past 10 years of $7-million a year, all used for new school and classroom construction and improvements. Reports show at least one-third of that money is paid by tourists or people driving through the county. Sales Tax Election results For: 7,408 Against: 2,216