Here’s how Manatee County voted on referendums for higher tourism and property taxes
Manatee County voters approved referendums on schools and tourism in Tuesday's general election.
The school district's 1-mill property tax renewal passed with 82.50% of the vote, according to unofficial results.
Homeowners will pay $1 for every $1,000 on a home's assessed value. For example, a homeowner will owe $33 a month or $400 a year on a home worth $400,000, according to district figures.
The property tax is anticipated to generate an extra over $75 million for the district this school year. The money will be used to boost teacher pay, school safety, early childhood education, athletic programs and more.
Kevin Chapman, the district's chief of staff, previously told the Bradenton Herald that the district hopes early childhood education will help students improve their reading test scores.
"That's really going to help us move the needle on grade-level proficiency," Chapman said. "Right now, we're just below the state average on grade-level proficiency. We really believe that we can get to that state average and beyond and help our kids get to grade-level proficiency in all our schools."
The county's 1% tourism tax increase also passed with 68.48% of the vote, according to unofficial results posted by the Supervisor of Elections Office.
The county will now charge guests a 6% tourism tax if they stay at a short-term rental for less than six months. For example, a guest will pay $6 if they stay at a hotel that costs $100 a night, according to county figures.
Manatee County already charges tourists a 5% tourism tax, and the decision to increase was previously approved by the Board of County Commissioners, but changes to Florida law put that decision in the hands of local voters.
The tourism tax is anticipated to generate an extra nearly $8 million a year for the county. The money will be used to improve beaches, sports venues, piers and docks, theaters and museums and more.
"Being one of the faster-growing communities in Florida, it gives the community an opportunity for the county to continue to build assets," Elliott Falcione, the county's tourism director, previously told the Bradenton Herald.
