Renew the one-percent sales tax, paid by visitors & residents to fund public safety and transportation needs. Renew The Penny is an education and awareness campaign of Citizens Encouraging Progress, a non-profit organization. Citizens Encouraging Progress was founded to raise awareness and educate Marion County residents about important political issues and encourage them to vote on them. If renew
ed, the 1-percent sales tax would continue to fund public safety equipment needs for law enforcement, fire rescue and emergency medical services, as well as transportation capital road projects for Marion County and its municipalities (Belleview, Dunnellon, Ocala, Reddick and McIntosh). SAFE - Our roads, fire and emergency equipment suffered in the past as billions of dollars of property tax revenue were wiped away by the Great Recession. Over the last four years, the sales tax has allowed us to start replacing equipment and improving roadways. A Yes vote for the renewal of the 1% sales tax will allow us to continue to maintain public safety and highway safety. SOUND - Marion County has a track record of sound financial management. All of the funds spent to date are documented in public records. The Board of County Commissioners follows all standard and state-required finance and procurement processes to disburse the funds. A continuation of the 1% sales tax can allow wise investments in infrastructure that puts us on a sound footing for the future. SECURE - Updating fire stations, replacing equipment, replacing radio towers and updating communications equipment can continue to bring our emergency response services up to the demands of the world we live in today.
