Voters will decide on November 3 if the existing Half-Cent Infrastructure Sales Tax continues.

St. Lucie County Commissioners approved an ordinance at the March 17 Regular Meeting that directs the Supervisor of Elections to place the proposed extension on the ballot. The Cities of Fort Pierce and Port St. Lucie, and the Town of St. Lucie Village, each adopted resolutions supporting the proposal.

Originally approved by voters for a period of 10 years in 2018, the surtax has to date generated more than $56 million in revenue. More than $10 million has come from non-St. Lucie County residents. The local dollars were leveraged to successfully award more than $5 million in state and federal grants. This funding helps the County invest in public roads, reduce traffic congestion, reduce neighborhood flooding, and improve local water quality.

That influx of capital made possible the replacement of bridges over Taylor Creek (Keen Road) and Ten Mile Creek (Gordy Road). It also contributed to improvements like the resurfacing of Shinn Road, Glades Cut Off Road, Prima Vista Boulevard, and portions of Midway Road, the construction of the Melville Road stormwater treatment ponds, and the addition of the Oleander Avenue sidewalk from Midway Road to South Market Avenue.

Recent emergency repairs to Johnston Road, at the Fort Pierce Farms Water Control District (FPFWCD) Canal 1 crossing, were also funded by this surtax.

“This funding has been a game-changer for maintaining our infrastructure,” said Patrick Dayan, St. Lucie County Public Works Director. “Not only are these revenues helping address the backlog of deferred maintenance as a result of the great recession, but they are helping to elevate the level of service and providing the high-quality infrastructure our residents expect and enjoy here.”

If approved by voters, the extension could benefit a number of roads that are identified for resurfacing. St. James Boulevard, Angle Road, East Midway Road, and Walton Road are among these candidates. Funding could also support bridge repairs, guardrail repairs and replacement, and rejuvenation of chip seal and millings roads.

A sidewalk along Oleander Avenue, from Midway Road to Saeger Avenue, could be constructed with half-cent sales tax help. Other potential sidewalk projects include Sunrise Boulevard, from North Park to Edwards Road; Hartman Road, from State Road 70 to Orange Avenue; Bell Avenue, from Sunrise Boulevard to Oleander Avenue; and Easy Street, among others.

This revenue could expand the Sheraton Stormwater Treatment Area (STA). Expected to be completed in Spring 2026, this 16-acre linear STA will help improve the quality of the water entering the Indian River Lagoon from Taylor Creek and the C-25 Canal. The project also benefits communities in the surrounding area, as many have little or no drainage or water quality infrastructure. The American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) and an Indian River Lagoon Council grant are funding this project, but future phases could benefit from half-cent tax revenue.

Future phases of the Harmony Heights community retrofit, as well as stormwater improvements to Lakewood Park, Sunland Gardens, and the South 7^th Street basin could also benefit from half-cent tax revenue.

Repairs to stormwater infrastructure around the County, like drainage culverts on South 35^th Street, Koblegard Road, or Savanna Club Boulevard, could also be funded through this source.

Learn more about the Half-Cent Infrastructure Sales Tax Initiative and its benefits to St. Lucie County, at slchalfcent.org.