SEBRING –– Some Highlands County roads may sit a while longer before they're repaved, and other proposed projects may be pushed back due to an anticipated shortfall in sales tax revenues. The local one-cent sales tax that shoppers pay is used to build and maintain many of the roads, bridges and some other buildings throughout the county. For this fiscal year, County Budget Manager Tim Mechling said he expects only $7.8 million of the $9.1 million in sales tax revenue to come his way. The 15-percent anticipated drop in revenues mean that the county's infrastructure fund will have to do with less. . Though Mechling declined to mention specific projects that could be on the chopping block because the the county commissioners have not decided yet, Mechling said the county may delay several planned road resurfacing and some new construction. "It's something we're still working out," he said. ...more

July 6, 2008

A coalition opposed to a proposed "tax swap" constitutional amendment has filed a lawsuit challenging the ballot language on the initiative. ...more

July 4, 2008

DUNEDIN -- The public will get a chance to hear the latest information about the city's plans for reconstructing Pinehurst Road and give their comments at a town hall meeting next month. The community meeting is scheduled for 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 30, at the Dunedin Community Center. ...more

June 27, 2008

Hernando County's newest $55 million high school is nearly halfway paid for. ...more

June 22, 2008

Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at jpoltilove@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7691. ...more

June 18, 2008

The Hillsborough County Commission today is scheduled to review a plan on how to spend more than $40 million in Community Investment Tax revenue on parks. ...more

June 17, 2008

Mayor Rick Baker is recommending a Virginia-based developer to transform Tropicana Field and its parking lots into a massive mixed-use community of shops, restaurants, offices, hotels and residences. ...more

June 14, 2008

AVON PARK — Norm Stephens knows that in a recessionary economy, voters aren't likely to approve any suggestion of a tax increase. And in November, there will be nine ballot issues to confuse voters, including a one-cent sales tax which that would replace school property taxes. And furthermore, the 10-mill college property tax is No. 8 on the list, after the amendments prohibiting gay marriage and illegal aliens owning land. So its chances of passing may be small. But if voters approve in November, the Legislature would be required to allow the commissioners in Highlands, Hardee and DeSoto counties to hold a election which would generate property taxes to support South Florida Community College. "It's a four-step process," said Stephens, SFCC president. "It has to be approved by 60 percent of the voters in November. That allows the Legislature to develop rules. Then the counties can place it on the ballot, and the voters would have to approve again." ...more

June 8, 2008

When the state lowered its revenue predictions this spring, lawmakers chose not to renew the annual sales tax holiday on hurricane supplies this year. ...more

May 19, 2008

TAMPA The owner of a restaurant on South Westshore Boulevard was arrested Tuesday, accused by the Florida Department of Revenue of collecting more than $83,000 in sales tax from customers but failing to send it in to the state, investigators said. ...more

February 21, 2008