Palm Beach County commissioners table sales tax hike

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- After about an hour of discussion, Palm Beach County commissioners voted Tuesday to table the issue of a proposed .5 percent sales tax increase for at least another year.

Originally, commissioners were trying to decide whether or not to place the .5 percent sales tax on the November ballot.

County staff proposed the increase from 6 percent to 6.5 percent, which they said would generate $103 million a year.

The funds would go toward transportation costs, roads and bridges.

Several taxpayers spoke out at the meeting telling commissioners even considering an increase in sales tax would show they were out of touch with the struggling community.

The vote was to hold off on the proposal for another year. In that time frame, commissioners plan to meet and get more information about the potential impacts a .5 percent sales tax increase would have on the community.