Common Cents

Common Cents is a one-cent sales tax that funds many capital improvement projects for Sarasota County, the School District and the municipalities of Sarasota, Venice, North Port and Longboat Key.

The penny provides money for quality-of-life projects without relying on higher property taxes that make Sarasota County a better place to live, work and visit.

The penny spreads the cost of capital projects such as libraries, roads, parks and fire stations among all those who use them, including seasonal residents and tourists which would otherwise be paid for by property owners alone.

County voters will be asked to vote on the penny tax extension during a Nov. 6, 2007 referendum. The current penny sales tax expires in 2009.

The penny was first approved by Sarasota County votes in November 1987. A penny extension (Phase II) was approved by voters in November 1997 and covers 2000-2009. The different government bodies agreed Phase III will now cover a 15-year period.

Officials for Sarasota County, the School District and the municipalities of Sarasota, Venice, North Port and Longboat Key are meeting regularly to come up with a priority list of projects based on public and staff recommendations.

Public meetings will be held by each governing body as the lists become more defined. Each elected body chooses a final list of projects prior to the November referendum.

Sarasota County commissioners agreed to dedicate 50 percent of the county’s revenues from the penny tax extension for transportation projects.

Past Penny projects (as pictured above) have included: road improvement projects, street tree landscaping, the new North Port Police station, North Port High School, pothole patching projects, new fire stations, bike trails, waterway improvements, the Venice pier parking lot improvements and many other community improvements.

Below are links to Sarasota County Common Cents partners and lists of proposed and completed projects.