Advantages

Key Advantages

A majority (56% seasonally) of monies generated will be paid by tourists
Reduces the need to raise property taxes/Lower Ad valorem taxes paid by propertyowners
Monies collected can only be used for a list of critical needs over a 10 year period
Appointed advisory and citizen oversight committees will be convened assuring government accountability
Every dollar collected will be spent in Okaloosa County
Potential to leverage matching state and federal dollars to maximize investments
Monies collected will be divided based on population in each municipality and unincorporated Okaloosa County
Discretionary sales surtax applies ONLY to the first $5,000 of any single taxable Item (such as motor vehicle, mobile homes or boats)
A half-cent surtax increase (from 6% to 6.5%) on $5,000 item would result in only an additional $25.
On a $100 item this would result in only an additional $0.50
Okaloosa County Median Income $55,768. Based on average annual spending on taxable goods, a half cent surtax would increase sales tax expenditures $132.50 per person PER YEAR, or $11 per month.
The average Okaloosa County homeowner would likely pay an additional $400 in ad valorem taxes to generate the same revenue this surtax would provide.