Tampa-area political leaders are feuding over a property tax increase that most likely won’t be on ballots for the 2024 Election. Yesterday, the Hillsborough County Commission voted to postpone a vote on the hike from 2024 to 2026.
Commissioner Joshua Wostal, a Republican, cited inflation and the rising cost of living as reasons to push the vote to 2026. Wostal’s motion to delay the vote to 2026 was approved by a 4-3 vote along party lines, supported by Republican commissioners Christine Miller, Ken Hagan, and Donna Cameron Cepeda. Commissioner Gwen Myers, a Democrat, attempted to suggest placing the millage on the 2024 ballot, but this proposal failed. Myers was joined by her Democratic colleagues on the commission, Pat Kemp and Harry Cohen, who voted against the move to 2026.
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Wostal pointed out that the commission cannot block the tax increase but can control it when voters decide on it. The concerns also included potentially having two tax increases on the same ballot, with the millage alongside the Community Investment Tax (CIT), which is supported by Tampa Mayor Jane Castor.
During a press conference, superintendent Van Ayres said the commisioners’ vote was puzzling and a disappointment to the teachers, assistant principals, and support staff in the district. Ayres accused the commission of overstepping their authority by delaying the vote to 2026, and called a special school board meeting on July 23, where he is expected to ask the school board to authorize legal action to put he millage vote on the November ballot.
Congresswoman Kathy Castor, who has no legislative jurisdiction over state, county or city matters, inserted herself into the issue and condemned Republican commissioners.
“It is outrageous that four Republicans on the Board of County Commissioners can deny Hillsborough residents the ability to have our say on a matter of great public importance. It’s shortsighted, wrong and a ‘slap in the face’ to Hillsborough students, families and teachers who deserve better,” Castor said.
The proposed tax increase of one mill, equivalent to $1 for every $1,000 of assessed value, was estimated to generate an additional $177 million for Hillsborough County Schools.
