The Pensacola Civic Center is not the only county facility subsidized by tax dollars. And hockey wouldn’t be the only sport.
The Equestrian Center is subsidized with Local Option Sales Tax dollars. Initially General Fund dollars were used but the County Commission moved the expense over to LOST funds when the penny was extended in 2006.
2005 General Fund $54,228
2006 General Fund $159,756
2007 LOST $125,343
2008 LOST $125,343
…I have no problem with the Equestrian Center. However, I find it odd that the County Commission is using local sales option dollars – funds that most counties use for capital projects – for operational expenses. It really goes back to our 2008 article “Car Chase” in which we showed how mixed up the county’s priorities are when it comes to these funds.
Sarasota County officials are spending about $276 million on 52 capital improvement projects, such as roadways, new libraries, a new health department, park improvements and water and sewer upgrades.
They are bonding their one-cent sales tax collections and instead of spreading out the projects through 2025.
Escambia County uses its LOST for operations, vehicles and computers, not only for capital improvements.