2008 Community Investment Tax Hillsborough County
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2008 Community Investment Tax Over the past eleven years, the Community Investment Tax has generated $993.7 million to fund a wide range of improvements that will greatly benefit our community. The funds are and will be used for capital improvement projects throughout Hillsborough County, including the City of Tampa, Plant City and Temple Terrace in the following areas: education, public safety, transportation, water, wastewater, reclaimed water, stormwater, community stadiums, parks, libraries, museums, and government facilities. The Community Investment Tax is a half-penny sales tax approved by voters in September 1996. 25 percent of the revenue collected from this tax is designated for the construction of new public school facilities. NOTE: The projects and their costs and status in this current report are as of September 30, 2008. For information and assistance on the Community Investment Tax projects and all other County construction projects, call (813) 272-5275. This report includes information on the following jurisdictions and their use of the Community Investment Tax: Hillsborough County Since its inception in 1997 through September 30, 2008, Hillsborough County has appropriated $1.1 billion for Community Investment Tax-funded projects. Additionally, the County Commission has committed to funding another $488.9 million in projects between October 1, 2008 and September 30, 2016. Unincorporated Hillsborough County projects that are completed, ongoing, and planned through 2013 include approximately $46.3 million in water/wastewater and reclaimed water projects to meet the needs of our growing community and $79.2 million in stormwater projects to alleviate flooding in the county. In addition, your Board of County Commissioners has added $34.6 million to build, improve, and equip fire stations, $223.9 million in public safety including court improvements and jails, $7.9 million in new social and aging service centers, provided $122.1 million in parks improvements, $82.2 million in government facilities including animal services, and $18.9 million in children services and libraries. The County Commission also has made a commitment of approximately $976.9 million to improve the County transportation program including bridges, intersections, sidewalks, and road improvements projects. Some of the major projects that were completed in FY08 using the County’s CIT funds include the Tampa Bay History Center, the new Medical Examiner’s facility, the Brandon Regional Service Center, capital construction improvements at Lowry Park Zoo, Phase V of the Falkenburg Road Jail Expansion, and the new Fairway Boulevard bridge over Flamingo Canal in Apollo Beach. View Hillsborough County’s Complete Project Status List City of Tampa The City of Tampa has appropriated $149.7 million of Community Investment Tax dollars since its beginning in 1997, of which $17.9 million was appropriated in fiscal year 2008. The city has identified an additional $54.1 million in projects for fiscal years 2009-2011. This funding allows for the continuation of programs initiated in previous years including fire station roof and flooring replacement and painting; installation of rubberized play surfaces; playground units; renovations to aquatic facilities and community centers; athletic court and field repair/installation; fencing, bollards and gates; and the city-wide vehicle replacement program. In fiscal year 2008, the Investing in Neighborhoods program totaled $6.45 million of which $3.25 million was comprised of Community Investment Tax-funded projects, including street resurfacing ($1,144,000); major intersection improvements ($737,200); traffic calming ($573,000); sidewalk repair and installation ($533,000); countdown pedestrian signals ($150,000); and brick street maintenance ($112,800). Additionally, $500,000 was identified toward land acquisition for new fire stations and $1.3 million for fire vehicle acquisition. In December 2006, bonds were issued for $17 million for the acquisition of land, construction, and equipping of parks and recreation projects including Ballast Point Pier and Boat Ramp improvements; restoration of the Bayshore Balustrade; development of Cotanchobee/Heroes Park; renovation of Cyrus Greene Pool; construction of the Springhill Park Community Center; upgrade and improvements of the Seminole Garden Center; installation of lighting at Wellswood ballfield; building of the New Tampa Community Park and Recreation Center; New/North Tampa Fields and Parks; and construction of MacFarlane Park’s Freedom Playground. The New Tampa Community Center, MacFarlane Park’s Freedom Playground, Wellswood ballfield lighting, and Cyrus Greene Pool projects have been completed. Ballast Point Pier improvements, Cotanchobee/Heroes Park, and New Tampa Skate Park projects are under construction and expected to be complete in 2009. Plans for New/North Tampa Fields and Parks are still being developed. The remaining projects including improvements of the Seminole Garden Center, restoration of the Bayshore Balustrade, Ballast Point Boat Ramp improvements, and construction of the Springhill Park Community Center are expected to begin construction in 2009 and be complete in 2010. View City of Tampa’s Complete Project Status List City of Temple Terrace The Community Investment Tax (CIT) has funded over $11.2 million in projects that have directly benefited the citizens of Temple Terrace. Public safety vehicles have been purchased for the City’s police and fire departments that provide equipment for response to citizen requests. The Police Department has purchased 56 fully-equipped patrol vehicles utilizing CIT funds, including several vehicles upgraded with AED (automated external defibrillator) devices and video cameras. In order to provide a more timely response to emergency calls, the Fire Department has added to its fleet and equipped several vehicles, including two fully-equipped ambulances; a brush truck used to contain trash and off-road fires; a 75-foot aerial ladder truck with paramedic equipment; a fire engine for Station #1, and three administrative vehicles. CIT monies have funded several building improvements in the City of Temple Terrace, including a 20,000 square foot library expansion and renovation, substantial improvements to both Fire Stations, improvements to the Emergency Operations Center at Fire Station #1, a keyless entry system for City Hall, and security cameras for the Police Department. Parks and Recreation facilities in Temple Terrace have also benefited from CIT funds. Approximately 7 acres of land has been purchased for park development in Riverhills area coupled with a State grant. Improvements to park facilities are on-going, including renovation of concession facilities. Renovations to the Omar K. Lightfoot Recreation Center, coupled with a CDBG grant of $476,644, enhanced the home of the City’s popular senior program. Recognizing the need to protect a precious natural resource that flows through the City, the Hillsborough River, Parks and Recreation has also completed improvements related to the environmental land acquisition and protection program (ELAPP). View City of Temple Terrace’s Complete Project Status List City of Plant City The City of Plant City has previously utilized Community Investment Tax (CIT) funds on the Nettie Berry Draughon Municipal Building (City Hall); Michael S. Sparkman Police Center; Motor Garage and General Services building; West Plant City Boys & Girls Club; Plant City Family YMCA; interior enhancements for the John R. Trinkle Multi- Purpose Facility at the Hillsborough Community College Plant City Campus; Samuel W. Cooper Park and drainage project; Plant City Tennis Center at Ellis-Methvin Park; replacement of the Alexander Street railroad crossing; resurfacing of the Mike E. Sansone Park Nature Trail, a .38 mile paved walking trail through a natural wetland area; Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) upgrades at Walden Field, a youth baseball and softball field at the Mike E. Sansone Community Park; and various other recreation and playground facilities. Among current CIT projects are the resurfacing of various City streets; Facilities Maintenance building expansion; Parks Division maintenance building; Stormwater and Traffic Division warehouse; and construction of Ellis-Methvin Park, a 46-acre regional park. Future transportation improvements include the replacement of the Woodrow Wilson Street and Wheeler Street railroad crossings; Cherry Street traffic calming; Mendonsa Road reconstruction and Pinedale Subdivision drainage improvements; and additional street resurfacing projects. Other projects being planned include Courier Field Enhancements; fuel filling system replacement; radio communications upgrade; and neighborhood park improvements. View City of Plant City’s Complete Project Status List Hillsborough County School Board Community Investment Tax Revenue Bonds totaling $70 million were issued on December 1996, to build one new elementary school, one new high school, and one new career center. Additions and/or major renovations were done at one elementary school, one middle school, and one high school. The proceeds from the CIT are being used to pay the debt service on the bonds. CIT Cash Reserve funds were used to fund the construction of one new elementary school and partial funding of one high school renovation. Some $235.5 million in Community Investment Tax Revenue Bonds were issued on February 2002. From these funds the School District constructed one new elementary school, one