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Penny sales tax goes to voters

Posted at 3:57 PM, May 10, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-10 18:18:52-04

Palm Beach School Board members and county commissioners have agreed to put a penny sales tax on the ballot this fall.

School board members had threatened to pull out from the proposal to boost the county sales tax from six cents on the dollar to 7.

Board members were mad that the county no longer wanted to put part of the money towards cultural upgrades.

About $161 million dollars would have been used for that and economic development incentives. 

Both sides agreed though to move forward despite the cut and instead focus on repairing school buildings and upgrading technology for students.

School superintendent Dr. Robert Avossa says that's what's best for the school system.

"We could have gone alone ,we didn't do that ," said Dr. Avossa. "We've gone with them. The idea here is to work with one penny, one program and really try to work collectively to get the job done."

"I believe this will assist us in maintaining our lax level in as low as it can be," said Verdenia Baker, the county administrator. "In addition to providing the service our residents deserve."
 
What's next? This plan will be up for you to vote on in November.