Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Taxes And Finance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Seminole County approves additional 5¢ local option fuel tax to raise about $8.8M annually
Summary
After public comment and debate, the Board approved by supermajority a county ordinance to levy an additional 5¢ local option fuel tax effective Jan. 1, 2026; staff estimates countywide revenue at about $8.8 million and $5.5 million to the county share.
The Board of County Commissioners voted on Aug. 12 to adopt an ordinance levying an additional 5¢ per gallon local option fuel tax, approved by the required supermajority. County staff said the tax excludes diesel, is authorized under Florida Statute 336.025, and must be submitted to the Florida Department of Revenue by Oct. 1 for collections to begin Jan. 1, 2026.
Timothy Jeks, director of management and budget, told the board the additional 5¢ would generate roughly $8.8 million countywide and the BCC’s estimated share would be $5.5 million annually; the proposed FY26 budget assumes nine months of collections, or about $4.1 million for the county. “If approved, the new 5¢ fuel tax must be used for transportation costs, specifically costs defined in the CIE section of the county's comprehensive plan,” Jeks said.
Public commenters raised timing, term length and budget concerns. Former Commissioner Wynn Adams urged a review period rather than a 50-year authorization, asking for review every five years. George Celery and Richard Creedon urged shorter terms and questioned why other revenue options had not been exhausted; Creedon also urged further budget cuts instead of a tax increase.
Board members debated policy trade-offs: supporters said the tax aligns transportation costs with the users who buy fuel (including many nonresident drivers) and helps preserve general-fund reserves and public safety services; opponents cautioned about the regressive nature and urged scrutiny of constitutional officers’ budgets. Commissioners noted the statute does not require a sunset and staff included a 50-year authorization that can be repealed by future boards; staff said the ordinance can be reviewed annually during budget season.
Commissioner Zembauer moved approval and the motion passed by a supermajority 4–1, with Commissioner Glorie recorded as opposing. Jeks said the county will work with cities on interlocal agreements; if none are reached, state distribution formula will be applied to allocate city shares from the collections.
Staff and commissioners noted electric vehicles are not covered by the motor-fuel tax and that equitable treatment of EVs would require state legislative action. The board directed staff to submit the ordinance to the Department of Revenue and to continue city coordination on distribution.
