St. Lucie County voters will decide whether to renew a half-cent sales tax that expires in 2028, which funds multimillion-dollar infrastructure projects for roads, sidewalks and drainage improvements.
Government officials urge voters to renew the sales tax, which St. Lucie County officials estimate will generate about $378 million until it expires in 2038 for:
St. Lucie County: $181.8 million
Port St. Lucie: $163.2 million
Fort Pierce: $32.1 million
St. Lucie Village: $400,000
Port St. Lucie expected to spend $120 million widening St. Lucie West Boulevard and about $32 million resurfacing city streets, among other projects.
“The infrastructure needs in the city are not going away,” city spokesperson Scott Samples told TCPalm. “There is still a large demand for this funding to continue building better roads, more sidewalks and cleaner rivers.”
Voters passed the sales tax in a 2018 referendum with over 55% of the vote. It initially failed in 2016, as it received less than 47% of the vote.
Uncertainty that voters will pass the 2026 referendum led city and county officials to put it on the Nov. 3 ballot — one election cycle earlier than needed.
“Extending the half-cent sales tax keeps investing in our community without putting the entire burden on local residents,” county spokesperson Erick Gill told TCPalm. “It asks everyone who uses our resources, including tourists and visitors, to fund critical improvements for safer roads.”
The sales tax will not apply to purchases of gas, groceries or medicine, according to the county’s online fact sheet. For automobile or boat purchases, the tax will be applied only to the first $5,000 of the purchase.
Jack Randall is TCPalm’s economy and real estate reporter. You can reach him at jack.randall@tcpalm.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Florida election 2026 includes St. Lucie County sales tax renewal