Penny for Pasco
Your Penny Your Future
The Penny for Pasco is a three-time, voter-approved Local Government Infrastructure Surtax in Pasco County. This sales tax, at a rate of one cent per each dollar (sale amount up to $5,000), provides designated funds for economic development, public safety vehicles and equipment, conservation of land and natural resources, transportation infrastructure improvements, and enhancements for educational facilities.
Pasco County voters passed the first Penny for Pasco March 9, 2004. It was in effect from January 1, 2005, through December 31, 2014, and collected over $320,000,000. In 2012, voters approved the continuation of the Penny for Pasco for another ten years. Between January 2015 and December 2024 proceeds are estimated to be greater than $700,000,000. Most recently, in 2022, 65% of voters supported the renewal of the Penny for Pasco for an additional 15 years – from January 2025 – December 2039. Revenues are estimated to be $1,902,552,316.
We have lots of great work to do! Proposed BCC Projects for 2025 - 2039
Penny for Pasco funding provides business incentives for qualified industries that create high-paying jobs in the County; fund public safety with the purchase of law enforcement, fire and rescue vehicles equipped with laptop computers; construct transportation projects that include intersection improvements, sidewalks and pedestrian safety projects, new bicycle/pedestrian trails, and several public transportation projects; retrofit and equip our schools built before 1975 with new technology and provide repairs to aging schools; and protect our water resources through the purchase of environmental lands.
Penny for Pasco Oversight Committees
Environmental Lands Acquisition Selection Committee (ELASC)
The ELASC reviews nominations submitted to Pasco County for the acquisition and protection of environmentally sensitive lands. The committee’s recommendations are then presented to the Board of County Commissioners for approval or denial.
Jobs and Economic Opportunities Committee (JEOC)
The JEOC makes recommendations on JEO Trust Fund Program initiatives and campaigns and reports annually to the Board of County Commissioners on JEO Trust Fund Program progress.
Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC)
The BPAC makes recommendations to the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) about bicycle and pedestrian issues and helps the MPO develop bikeways and pedestrian plans and projects for Pasco County.
Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC)
The CAC advises the Metropolitan Planning Organization board by making recommendations on the transportation planning process to address short and long range transportation planning issues and needs.
Learn more about Pasco’s Advisory Boards & Committees.
Resources
Fire Rescue
Sheriff
Engineering Services
Safety/Operational Improvements (All Districts)
Transportation Technology Infrastructure (All Districts)
Advanced Right of Way Acquisition (All Districts)
Pasco County Public Transportation (GOPASCO)
- Economic incentives related to broadening the local property tax base, creating high-paying jobs, and stimulating commercial redevelopment along existing blighted and semi-blighted commercial corridors
- Economic gardening to stimulate local job growth and broaden the local property tax base
- Supporting infrastructure directly related to job creating economic growth projects
- Business incubators and locally owned small business assistance
- Workforce development
- Capital projects directly related to job creating economic growth projects
- 2,419 acres protected in ecological corridors
- 4,705 acres in Corridors still need to be protected
- Estimated 1,200-1,600 acres may be acquired with current Penny revenue
- Estimated 3,000-3,700 acres may be acquired with future Penny revenue
- ELAMP infrastructure projects for public access/security or other related natural resources-based recreational amenities such as picnic areas, campgrounds, hiking trails, observations towers, and associated infrastructure (countywide):
- Baillies Bluff Wilderness Park (District 3)
- Len Angeline Wilderness and Recreation Park (District 4)
Fire Rescue
- New Vehicles
- In-Vehicle Computers/Equipment
- Specialty vehicles
- Utility Terrain Vehicles
- Boats
- Life-Saving Emergency Response Equipment
- Facility Upgrades
Sheriff
- New Vehicles
- In-Vehicle Computers/Equipment
Engineering Services
- County-Wide Multimodal Needs Study (All Districts)
- Multi-Modal Transportation Improvements (All Districts)
- Sidewalks/Multi-Use Paths
- Eiland Blvd A from North of S.R. 54 to Handcart Road Multi-Use Path (District 1, 2)
- Eiland Blvd B from Handcart Road to US 301 Multi-Use Path (District 1)
- Hudson Avenue from Cobra Way to Hays Road Sidewalk (District 5)
- Old Dixie Highway from North of Brady Street to Racetrack Road Multi-Use Path (District 5)
- Ranch Road Sidewalk from Martha Avenue to Ponderosa Avenue (District 5)
- Starkey Trail Bike/Pedestrian Overpass at SR 54 (District 3)
- Wire Road from Pretty Pond Road to CR 54 Sidewalk (District 1)
- Zimmerman Road Sidewalk from Ranch Road to SR 52 (District 5) Sidewalk Gaps providing Connectivity
- Sidewalk Gaps providing Connectivity
- Bicycle Lanes
- Bicycle Trail Connections
- Bayou Trail Connection from River Gulf Boulevard to Baylea Avenue (Partner with City of New Port Richey) (District 4,5)
- Marine Parkway at US 19 Overpass (Partner with City of New Port Richey) (Districts 3,4,5) School Sidewalk Projects
- School Sidewalk Projects
- Camry Drive/Gulf Trace Elementary (District 3)
- Curley Road/Wesley Chapel Elementary/Thomas Weightman Middle School/Wesley Chapel High School (District 1)
- Cypress Creek Road/Denham Oaks Elementary School (District 2)
- Parkway Boulevard/Pine View Elementary School (District 2)
- Orchid Lake Road/Wendell Krinn Technical High School (District 4)
Safety/Operational Improvements (All Districts)
- ADA Accessibility Improvements
- Intersection Improvements to Address Safety Concerns including Traffic Signals
- Roundabouts
- Paved Shoulders/Safety Treatments
- Roadway Lighting on Key Corridors
- Bridge Rehabilitation
Transportation Technology Infrastructure (All Districts)
- Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS)
- Replacement of Outdated Components (15-year cycle)
- Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAVs)
- Technology Applications to Key Corridors
Advanced Right of Way Acquisition (All Districts)
Pasco County Public Transportation (GOPASCO)
- New Busses (diesel and alternative energy solutions)
- ADA enhancements at bus stops and transportations facilities
- Improvement of access to Bus Stop/ Stations, Transportation Facilities, alternative energy stations and “Park and Ride” locations
- (shelters, digital signage, curb cut-outs, concrete pad, curb to pad sidewalk connection)
- Intelligent Transportation System (ITS)
- Continuation and integration with bus stop amenities