What is the 1-cent infrastructure surtax?

The local option 1-cent surtax is 1 cent on the dollar above the state sales tax, currently 6 cents per dollar. Each local government in Florida has the option  of levying the additional penny per dollar spent, which comes back to the community to be used for capital improvement projects. Sarasota County voters decided in 2022 that the local option 1-cent surtax should be continued.

Who pays this tax?

Everyone who buys taxable goods in Sarasota County, including tourists, part-time and full-time residents. More than 20% of the surtax revenue in the county comes from tourists and visitors.

How may the revenue be used?

The revenue may only be used for infrastructure as determined by the State Legislature. It allows Venice to build needed infrastructure without laying the entire burden of the cost solely on property owners. The Mayor and City Council determine which projects will receive allocations.

How much have revenues from the 1-cent sales tax contributed to Venice?

Over the past 15 years, this revenue source has contributed more than $42 million in infrastructure to the City.

Below are examples of how the City of Venice has benefitted from Surtax III, the most recent 1-cent infrastructure surtax.

Renourished 3.2 miles of beaches, creating a sand berm to protect the City of Venice from storm surge, ensuring marine turtle nesting, and serving as an economic driver for  tourism. The last beach nourishment was done in 2015.

Through an interlocal agreement with Sarasota County Schools, built the $15 million Venice Performing Arts Center (VPAC) on the campus of Venice High School. The center, home to the Venice Symphony, Venice Concert Band, Venice Chorale and numerous other performances throughout the year, opened to the public in November 2014. The VPAC features seating for 1,070 and a 2,000-square-foot stage.

Funded a new Fire Station 1 near City Hall to replace an outdated station built in 1974. The new facility for Fire and EMS crews is a two-story, 8,565-square-foot, three-bay station that includes sleeping quarters, a kitchen, storage space and a conference room available for public meetings.

Installed a security camera system with fixed cameras and fiber-optic cable in downtown Venice in late 2019, giving officials an ultra-wide angle view of the streets and Centennial Park to help keep residents and visitors safe. Security cameras have also been placed at the Airport Festival Grounds, the Venice Fishing Pier and South Jetty.

Rehabilitation of the Venice Municipal Fishing Pier, completed in August 2019, included removal and replacement of all the pier’s deck and railing material with longer-lasting, legally sourced ipe (pronounced ee-pay) wood and replacement of pole lighting fixtures with sea turtle-friendly, under-handrail lights. New fish-cleaning stations, benches and trash receptacles were also added.

Acquired a new firetruck for Venice Fire Rescue in 2017, which includes a memorial on the back to the 343 firefighters who died on 9/11. The Venice Police Department also procured 32 vehicles since 2015, both patrol and unmarked, including Tahoes, Tauruses, Explorer, a minivan, pickup and utility van.

What a difference a penny can make!

Here are some Venice projects that revenues from the 1-cent Surtax IV could pay for in the future:

• Relocating Fire Station 2 east of U.S 41 Bypass to better serve the community and improve Fire & EMS response times.
• Additional parks and green space.
• Improvements to local transportation routes.
• Upgrading utilities infrastructure throughout the City.

An interactive list of City of Venice projects for Infrastructure Surtax IV 2025-2039 can be found here.

An interactive map of City of Venice Surtax IV Projects can be found here.