Following a presentation on the 1% local sales tax extension set to appear on the November ballot, Charlotte County commissioners on April 14 agreed the referendum should ask voters to approve a 10-year extension. Previously, the referendum appeared on the ballot every four years beginning in 1994.
Commissioner Bill Truex, a builder, said he was “leaning to 20 years,” noting that rising construction material costs could make longer-term funding commitments more attractive to contractors and help lock in lower prices.
The 1% sales tax applies to most taxable goods, capped at the first $5,000 of purchases, but generally excludes food, medicine and certain services. Of the revenue received by the county, 10% goes to the city of Punta Gorda, which maintains its own list of capital projects.
Revenue from the sales tax is estimated at $37.6 million annually. Based on a six-year extension used as a framework, the tax would generate roughly $226 million. The current extension expires in 2027.
Deputy County Administrator Emily Lewis presents funding scenarios for a proposed sales tax extension, detailing how revenue could support prioritized capital projects.
Charlotte County government
Deputy County Administrator Emily Lewis led the presentation outlining how funding would support various projects over six-, eight- and 10-year periods.
The findings were compiled by 13 members of the 2026 Sales Tax Focus Group, who met from August 2025 through April 2026. The group reviewed more than 40 projects and prioritized them into tier one and tier two categories, with tier one projects receiving top priority, Lewis said. Any remaining revenue would be directed to tier two projects.
The capital projects are grouped into infrastructure, public safety, schools and quality of life, spanning the county.
The Cultural Center, destroyed by Hurricane Ian in 2022, drew the most discussion. Its replacement cost is estimated at $61,248,000 and would be fully funded under a 10-year extension.
Truex said that without a finalized plan for the campus after demolition, the building portion should be considered a tier two project.
Commissioner Chris Constance, a strong proponent of replacing the Cultural Center, said its loss has been “an empty hole in our fabric for such a long time.”
Commissioners reached a consensus to keep the Cultural Center building and library as a tier one project, exclude earlier plans for housing on the site and determine later whether the facility would be operated by the county or an outside organization.
Englewood Fire Chief Kevin Easton speaks to Charlotte County commissioners April 14 about the need for a new Fire Station 72, citing outdated facilities and limited capacity.
Charlotte County government
Other tier one projects include widening Harborview Road for $52,452,000, Phase 5 of the Edgewater Drive widening for $41,040,000 and the Burnt Store Road East/North corridor connection at $46,176,000. Roadway projects total $158,464,000.
Water quality projects total $26,300,000, and new facilities include a $42,080,000 Mid-County Annex building.
The tax also would help fund four new fire stations at $9,597,000 each, replacement of Fire Station 4 at $8,387,000, a vehicle maintenance expansion and a new $11.85 million Public Safety Academy to train county fire and EMS personnel and others. Fire and EMS projects total $61,375,000.
Englewood Fire Chief Kevin Easton told commissioners he is seeking $9 million for a new Fire Station 72, which was not included in the focus group’s review. Built in 1971, the 1,085-square-foot station is “woefully inadequate,” he said, noting it cannot properly house personnel or modern equipment.
Charlotte Sports Park is among the facilities slated for improvements under a proposed sales tax extension, which would fund parks and recreation projects countywide.
Charlotte County government
Two Charlotte County Public Schools projects also are proposed, including $10 million for school safety and $15 million for career and technical education programs.
Parks and recreation facilities across the county would also receive funding. Other proposed projects include a two-tier parking garage at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center, paved parking at Charlotte Sports Park and a new South Murdock Community Park.
A special meeting to finalize the extension timeline is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. April 21 at the Charlotte County Administration Center, 18500 Murdock Circle, Room 119, in Port Charlotte.